SIMS Registration in Lucknow
Register every steel consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) before it lands — handled end to end. We check whether your ITC(HS) code is covered, choose between regular SIMS and SARAL SIMS, file the advance registration inside the permitted window and hand over the Automatic Registration Number for your Bill of Entry.
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SIMS Registration in Lucknow
RoC Cawnpore — 10/499-D, Khalasi Line, Cawnpore – 208001 · roc.cawnpore@mca.gov.in
Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench)
09 (Uttar Pradesh) · state tax portal
Uttar Pradesh does not levy professional tax, so there is no PT registration or return for employers here.
Uttar Pradesh Dookan Aur Vanijya Adhishthan Adhiniyam, 1962
Not applicable in Uttar Pradesh.
Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar, Vibhuti Khand, Aliganj, Tech Zone
Lucknow is UP's capital and a rapidly growing business hub in North India. The city has seen significant investment in IT, real estate, and retail sectors, supported by UP's Startup Policy and ODOP initiative.
SIMS Registration in brief
Who it applies to, what it costs, how long it takes and which law governs it — before the details.
SIMS registration is the advance online registration that importers of iron and steel items under ITC(HS) Chapters 72, 73 and 86 must complete on the Steel Import Monitoring System run by the Ministry of Steel. It is a policy condition in DGFT’s Import Policy under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992. For each consignment, the importer submits advance details and receives an Automatic Registration Number (ARN), which must be quoted in the Bill of Entry. The government fee is ₹500 per registration (DGFT Notification No. 28/2023) and the ARN stays valid for 75 days. Small importers and imports for export production can use the simplified SARAL SIMS route.
- Professional Fee
- Custom quote
- Governing Law
- FT(D&R) Act & ITC(HS)
- ARN Validity
- 75 days
- Mode
- Fully Online
- Authority
- Ministry of Steel
- Govt Fee
- ₹500 per registration
- Coverage
- Ch. 72, 73 & 86 items
- Prerequisite
- Valid IEC
- Act
- FT(D&R) Act, 1992
- Framework
- ITC(HS) Import Policy
- Notification
- DGFT No. 28/2023
- Authority
- Ministry of Steel / DGFT
- Platform
- sims.steel.gov.in
- Last Reviewed
- 23 Sep 2026
What Is SIMS Registration?
A quick, plain-language explanation before the details.
SIMS is an online advance-registration system for steel imports. Before your steel arrives, you tell the Ministry of Steel what is coming, from where, how much and at what value, and you get a registration number that Customs checks at clearance.
SIMS is a policy condition attached to the import policy of Chapters 72, 73 and 86 of Schedule I (Import Policy) of ITC(HS), notified by DGFT under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992. DGFT Notification No. 28/2023 fixed the registration fee at ₹500 and the Registration Number’s validity at 75 days.
The portal (sims.steel.gov.in) is administered by the Ministry of Steel, with MSTC providing the helpdesk. DGFT sets the policy condition; Customs verifies the ARN in the Bill of Entry.
Each Automatic Registration Number is valid for 75 days. Regular SIMS is consignment-wise; SARAL SIMS gives a single number for the financial year, valid up to 30 April of the following year.
Is This Service Right for You?
Ideal for
- Importers of flat, long and alloy steel products under Chapter 72
- Importers of steel articles — pipes, tubes, fasteners, structures — under Chapter 73
- Importers of railway and tramway items covered under Chapter 86
- Manufacturers importing steel inputs against Advance Authorisation
- SEZ units and EOUs bringing in steel for export production
- MSMEs and traders importing small steel consignments
You may need this if
- Your import falls under an ITC(HS) code carrying the SIMS policy condition
- Customs is asking for the SIMS registration number in the Bill of Entry
- You import steel regularly and need each consignment registered in time
- You want to know whether SARAL SIMS fits your volumes
- Your ARN is about to lapse because the vessel is delayed
- You also need BIS / QCO checks for the steel grade you import
Not sure if you need this?
Talk to an Expert →Why Is SIMS Registration Essential for Steel Importers?
For covered steel items, SIMS is a condition of import — without a valid registration number, clearance stalls at Customs. Here is why it matters.
Talk to a Steel Import Expert →Condition of Import
For ITC(HS) codes carrying the SIMS policy condition, advance registration is part of the import policy itself — not an optional filing.
Smooth Customs Clearance
The ARN is quoted in the Bill of Entry. A missing or expired number means the consignment cannot move through clearance smoothly.
Time-Bound Window
Registration can be filed only inside the advance window before expected arrival, so late filing directly delays cargo and adds demurrage.
SARAL Route for Small Importers
MSMEs and small importers can use SARAL SIMS — one annual number for multiple eligible consignments instead of repeat filings.
Separate from BIS / QCO
SIMS does not replace BIS certification under steel Quality Control Orders. Both checks need to be in order for covered grades.
Policy Data for Trade Remedies
SIMS data feeds the Ministry’s monitoring of import surges, which informs safeguard and anti-dumping decisions affecting your costs.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Custom quote for your case
Fees depend on your business type and scope. Get a clear, itemised quote upfront — no hidden professional charges, government fee billed at actuals.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility checklist
- A valid, active Import Export Code (IEC)
- The correct 8-digit ITC(HS) code for every steel item
- Commercial invoice or proforma with quantity, value and origin
- Expected date of arrival and port of import
- Grade / specification and manufacturer details of the steel
- BIS licence details where the grade is under a steel QCO
Everything You Need. One Professional Team.
HS-Code Coverage Check
Confirm whether each item falls under a Chapter 72, 73 or 86 code carrying the SIMS condition.
Route Selection
Advise whether regular SIMS or SARAL SIMS fits your volumes and import purpose.
Portal Setup
Set up or verify your SIMS login against your IEC and company details.
Document Review
Check invoice, grade, origin and value details before filing.
Timed Filing
File the registration inside the permitted advance window before expected arrival.
Fee Payment
Guide the online payment of the government registration fee.
ARN Delivery
Hand over the Automatic Registration Number for your Bill of Entry.
Post-Filing Support
Help with lapsed ARNs, re-registration and SARAL annual returns.
What You’ll Receive
What Documents Are Required for SIMS Registration?
Requirements are grouped by importer identity, consignment details and supplier / standards. Keep clear scans (PDF/JPG) ready — everything is collected securely over WhatsApp or email.
Importer Identity
Who is importing- Import Export Code (IEC)
- PAN and GSTIN of the importer
- Registered address and contact of the authorised person
- Udyam certificate where SARAL SIMS is claimed as an MSME
Consignment Details
What is arriving- Commercial invoice or proforma invoice
- ITC(HS) code, description, grade and specification
- Quantity, CIF value and country of origin
- Expected date of arrival and port of import
Supplier & Standards
Where it is made- Name and address of the foreign manufacturer / supplier
- Mill test certificate where available
- BIS licence details for grades under a steel QCO
- Advance Authorisation / SEZ / EOU details where relevant
IEC comes first
SIMS registration is linked to your Import Export Code. If the IEC is inactive or not updated, fix it before filing — we can handle the update too.
Mind the window
Registration is allowed only within the advance window before expected arrival notified by the Ministry of Steel (revised by a trade notice in February 2026). Filing too early or too late is not possible.
Match HS codes exactly
The ITC(HS) code, quantity and value on SIMS should match the Bill of Entry. Mismatches cause queries at clearance.
SIMS is not BIS
Steel grades under a Quality Control Order still need BIS certification or an exemption. SIMS registration alone does not clear a QCO requirement.
Don’t have all the documents?
We’ll identify what your case needs →How to Get SIMS Registration (Step by Step)
The registration is filed online on the Ministry of Steel’s SIMS portal.
Consultation & coverage check
We map each steel item to its ITC(HS) code and confirm whether the SIMS policy condition applies.
Route selection
We check whether regular SIMS or SARAL SIMS suits your volumes, consignment size and import purpose.
Document collection
Collect IEC, invoice, grade, origin, arrival date and supplier details over WhatsApp or email.
Online filing
File the registration on sims.steel.gov.in inside the permitted advance window and pay the government fee.
ARN generated
The system issues the Automatic Registration Number, which we share for your Bill of Entry.
Clearance support
We track validity, help with re-registration if arrival slips, and guide SARAL annual returns.
How Long Does SIMS Registration Take?
| Stage | Expected Time |
|---|---|
| HS-code check & document collection | Depends on document readiness |
| Online filing & fee payment | Within the advance window before arrival |
| Automatic Registration Number issued | System-generated on successful filing |
The ARN is generated by the system once a complete registration is submitted and paid. What usually decides the timeline is the advance window — the registration cannot be filed earlier than the Ministry of Steel allows, nor after the cut-off before arrival. Share shipment details as soon as the order is confirmed.
Key Dates — At a Glance
| Frequency | What Is Due |
|---|---|
| Every Consignment | Register each covered consignment on regular SIMS · Quote the ARN in the Bill of Entry · Keep SIMS details in line with invoice and BoE |
| Annually | File the SARAL SIMS annual return by 30 April · Review volumes against the SARAL quantity limit · Update IEC details at least once a year |
| Event-Based | Re-register if the ARN lapses before arrival · Move to regular SIMS if SARAL limits are crossed · Check new HS codes before importing new items |
| Ongoing | Track Ministry of Steel trade notices · Watch DGFT notifications on Chapters 72, 73 and 86 · Keep BIS / QCO status current for each grade |
Dates are indicative and may change with government notifications. Our team tracks every deadline so you never miss a filing.
Doing It Yourself vs TaxClue
Doing It Yourself
- Work out which HS codes carry the SIMS condition
- Decide between regular SIMS and SARAL SIMS alone
- Track the advance window for every consignment
- Re-register when a vessel delay lapses the ARN
- Keep SIMS data in line with the Bill of Entry
- Cross-check BIS / QCO status separately
- Risk cargo held at port for a missing number
With TaxClue
- Expert confirms coverage for every item
- Right route chosen — regular or SARAL
- Filing timed inside the advance window
- Details matched to your Bill of Entry
- ARN validity tracked for delayed shipments
- BIS / QCO pointers flagged early
- Fewer clearance delays at the port
Skip the guesswork.
Let an expert handle it →What happens next
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
TaxClue reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable errors.
What Compliance Applies After SIMS Registration?
Every Consignment
- Register each covered consignment on regular SIMS
- Quote the ARN in the Bill of Entry
- Keep SIMS details in line with invoice and BoE
Annually
- File the SARAL SIMS annual return by 30 April
- Review volumes against the SARAL quantity limit
- Update IEC details at least once a year
Event-Based
- Re-register if the ARN lapses before arrival
- Move to regular SIMS if SARAL limits are crossed
- Check new HS codes before importing new items
Ongoing
- Track Ministry of Steel trade notices
- Watch DGFT notifications on Chapters 72, 73 and 86
- Keep BIS / QCO status current for each grade
Penalties & Consequences
What is at stake if you do not comply
- Cargo held at port without a valid ARN in the Bill of Entry
- Demurrage and detention when filing misses the advance window
- Fresh registration needed when a delayed vessel outlasts the 75-day ARN
- QCO-grade steel stuck without BIS certification despite SIMS
Regulatory Updates 2025–26
- Feb 2026: Ministry of Steel revised the SIMS advance-registration window by trade notice, effective 20 February 2026 — registration no earlier than 60 days before arrival, with notified cut-offs before arrival.
- 2025: SARAL SIMS launched for MSMEs, small importers and AA / SEZ / EOU imports — one annual number, annual return by 30 April; SIMS form fields streamlined.
- 2023: DGFT Notification No. 28/2023 set a flat ₹500 SIMS registration fee and 75-day validity for the Registration Number.
Why Businesses Choose TaxClue
CA / CS Team
Qualified professionals with hands-on DGFT, Customs and steel-import compliance experience.
HS-Code Precision
We map every steel item to its ITC(HS) code before filing.
Always Updated
We track Ministry of Steel trade notices and DGFT notifications on SIMS.
Fully Online
Everything over WhatsApp / email — no office visits required.
Transparent Fees
A clear quote upfront — government fees at actuals, zero hidden charges.
Post-Service Support
Help with lapsed ARNs, SARAL returns and repeat consignments.
Your Documents Deserve Professional Care
- Documents handled by professionals under confidentiality
- Access limited to the team working on your file
- Communication over secure digital channels
- Documents retained only as long as needed for compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SIMS registration?
Which products need SIMS registration?
Is SIMS required for every consignment?
What is the government fee for SIMS registration?
How long is a SIMS registration number valid?
When can I file the SIMS registration?
What is SARAL SIMS?
What are the SARAL SIMS limits?
Is there an annual return under SARAL SIMS?
Does SIMS registration replace BIS certification?
Is a Ministry of Steel NOC still needed for non-QCO grades?
Do SEZ units and EOUs need SIMS registration?
What happens if I import without a SIMS number?
Who runs the SIMS portal?
Can TaxClue handle SIMS for repeat imports?
Official Sources & Legal References
Every regulatory detail on this page is drawn from primary law and official government sources. Verify them directly:
- SIMS — Steel Import Monitoring SystemMinistry of Steel portal for registration, SARAL SIMS, trade notices and FAQs
- DGFT — NotificationsNotification No. 28/2023 on the SIMS registration fee and validity
- SARAL SIMS — Ministry of Commerce trade newsletterEligibility, quantity limits and annual return for SARAL SIMS
- Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992The parent law under which import policy conditions are notified · India Code
Related Guides
SIMS Registration Resources — All Free
Get Your SIMS Registration — Fully Managed
Expert-managed SIMS registration — HS-code coverage check, regular vs SARAL route, timed filing and ARN tracking, end to end. Consultation, transparent fees, zero hidden charges.
Talk to a Steel Import Expert →