Ministry of Steel launches SARAL SIMS facility

The Union Ministry of Steel has launched SARAL SIMS, a simplified facility under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for small consignments and export-linked imports.

• Importers can access it at www.sims.steel.gov.in/SARAL.

Simplified Registration Process:

• Importers declare total intended import quantity and receive a SARAL SIMS number.
• This number can be used for multiple consignments in the financial year, eliminating the need for consignment-wise SIMS numbers.

Eligibility and Limits:

• Applicable for imports up to 10 MT per consignment.
• Annual cap: 1,000 MT under ‘SARAL SIMS for small import’.
• For 2025-26, the threshold is 500 MT until April 2026; the 1,000 MT cap applies from 2026-27.

Annual Return Requirement:

• Importers must file an annual return by April 30 of the following financial year, detailing actual imports under SARAL SIMS.
• Import against a SARAL SIMS number is allowed until April 30 of the next financial year.

Exceeding Limits:

• If actual imports exceed 1,000 MT, importers must shift to regular SIMS for the remainder of that financial year.
• Once shifted, they cannot return to SARAL SIMS for that period.

Revised Regular SIMS:

• Number of required fields reduced from 56 to 20.
• Requirement for clarification or NOC for non-QCO steel grades revoked.
• Importers can now generate SIMS numbers for such grades directly through the portal.