Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), an online platform for advance registration of intended imports of steel, was launched by the Government vide Notification dated 05.09.2019. The intended steel importers have to submit advance information in online system to obtain Registration Number through an online web-portal 15-60 days before the actual date of import.

The validity of Registration Number is for a period of 75 days which is obtained through online SIMS Registration web-portal. No other document apart from SIMS Registration Number and its expiry date is required to be declared mandatorily in the Bill of Entry(with respect to SIMS), to enable clearance of consignments from customs.

SIMS, besides bringing in transparency, has helped the Ministry of Steel and the industry in identifying the exact steel grades being imported into the country in a timely manner.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Steel import registration now requires advance SIMS registration to obtain a time limited registration number for customs clearance. Launch of the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) requires importers to obtain a SIMS Registration Number by submitting advance information 15-60 days before import; the Registration Number is valid for 75 days and is the only mandatory SIMS-related declaration required in the Bill of Entry to enable customs clearance.