India plans to drop consignment-wise declarations in a significant revamp of its Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), a move that will make imports easier for a host of MSME manufacturers.
While SIMS improved traceability and visibility of steel grades entering the country, importers say it also slowed clearances as customs insisted on SIMS paperwork at ports.
A senior government official told ET that a single SIMS registration will be required for up to 1,000 tonnes of annual steel imports by a single player, bringing down compliance burden significantly.
Importers had to declare each consignment after the launch of SIMS in 2019 and further tightening in 2024. The system was introduced to keep a close check on imports along with a stringent quality control regime. New Delhi last week suspended 55 quality control orders (QCOs) on steel, which is expected to ease imports of steel for steel consuming industries.
“SIMS relaxations will reduce clearance time at ports for steel consignments,” the official said. He said the steel ministry has also recommended the data entry fields entered in SIMS to be significantly brought down.
A new policy, which will take forward the goals spelt out in the National Steel Policy 2017, is also in the works, the official said.
The new policy will have a separate chapter on stainless steel, in response to industry’s demand for tailored intervention for the sector.
It is also expected to better integrate decarbonisation goals for the sector.
The government as part of its focus on stainless steel is working out a revival plan for the Salem steel plant (SSP), a unit of public sector undertaking SAIL operating at less than half its 3.5 lakh tonne annual capacity.
“We are targeting full capacity utilisation of the plant in the first phase,” the official said, adding that easing imports of intermediate raw material is being considered since steel scrap availability is a challenge.
