In an effort to simplify the process of compulsory registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for imports of small consignments pertaining to iron and steel items classified under the Chapters 72, 73 and 86 of ITC (HS), 2022 by MSMEs and other small importers as well as imports made under Advance Authorization, SEZ and EOU route for export purposes, a new facility of registration process ‘SARAL SIMS’ has been introduced.
Importers can now access the facility of SARAL SIMS at www.sims.steel.gov.in/SARAL. While generating SARAL SIMS registration, the importers have to declare only the total intended quantity of import in the portal. They will be issued a SARAL SIMS number, against which they can import any number of steel consignments for the year without requirement of consignment wise SIMS number.
The importer can avail the facility of SARAL SIMS for-
- Import of small consignments (less than or equal to 10MT ) subject to annual cap of 1000 MT (‘SARAL SIMS for small import’), or
- Import under Advance Authorization/SEZ/EOU route (‘SARAL SIMS for export purposes’) without any quantity threshold.
Importer will be required to file Annual Return by furnishing the details of actual import made against SARAL SIMS registrations generated in a particular financial year by 30th April of the next financial year.
Importer can make import against the SARAL SIMS registration generated in a particular financial year up to 30th April of next financial year.
If the importers exceeds the threshold of 1000 MT of actual imports under SARAL SIMS in a financial year, they will be required to generate regular SIMS registration for subsequent imports during the financial year. However once they migrate to regular SIMS, they will not be able to use SARAL SIMS facility for that financial year.
For the current financial year 2025-26, the threshold for SARAL SIMS for small imports is 500 MT for a period up to April 2026. From next financial year 2026-27, annual cap of 1000 MT will apply.
The registration process under the regular SIMS has also been significantly simplified by reducing the number of fields to be furnished by importers from 56 to 20. These changes are aimed at simplifying the registration process for importers and enhancing the ease of doing business.
Further the requirement of clarification/NOC from Ministry of Steel for Non QCO covered grades is also being revoked. Hence importers will be able to generate SIMS number from the SIMS portal for Non QCO covered steel grades without any requirement of clarification / NOC from Ministry of Steel.
Above changes will be effective from 21.11.2025.
Ministry of Steel Eases Rules for Import of Steel Grades Not Covered Under QCOs
In order to streamline the regulatory framework governing steel imports and to facilitate ease of doing business, the Ministry of Steel has undertaken a review of the existing import-related requirements. Based on this review, the following procedural clarifications are hereby issued.
Import of Steel Grades Not Covered Under Quality Control Orders
The Ministry has also reviewed the requirement introduced vide Circular dated 20th October 2023 for obtaining clarification or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Steel for import of steel grades not covered under any QCO. Based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms (HLC-NFRR), it has been decided that steel grades not covered by any Quality Control Order will no longer require clarification or NOC from the Ministry of Steel.
To facilitate implementation of this decision, all steel grades not covered under any QCO—across all HSN Codes relating to the Ministry of Steel—have been mapped on the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) Portal. Importers may directly generate SIMS numbers for such non-QCO grades through the Portal without seeking any reference or approval from the Ministry of Steel.
Import of Steel Grades Covered Under Quality Control Orders (QCO)
As per the Quality Control Orders issued by the Ministry of Steel, all grades of steel covered under the Orders are required to be imported only from manufacturers holding valid and operative BIS licences for the relevant grades.
In cases where import of QCO-covered steel grades is proposed from manufacturers who do not possess BIS licences, an exemption mechanism is already in place. Such applications are examined by the Committee constituted vide Order No. 1(9)/2019-TD dated 14th May 2020.
The Committee, comprising representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and domain experts, will continue to examine applications and decide on granting exemptions for import of QCO-covered steel products manufactured by non-BIS licensee units. Applications for availing the exemption can be filed at https://sims.steel.gov.in/QCOEXEMPTIO.
The Press Release can be accessed at: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2192033
The Press Release can be accessed at: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2192101
