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PIMS Registration: Eligibility, Documents, Process, Fees

PIMS registration - Paper Import Monitoring System

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    Introduction 

    The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has recently announced the introduction of the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) by amending the import policy of 201 tariff lines under Chapter 48 of the Indian Trade Classification (ITC) [HS] 2022 / 2017 Schedule 1 for major paper products. This amendment mandates the registration of these products under PIMS, which was previously categorized as ‘free.’   

    The PIMS has been introduced to capture specific details of the import of paper and paper products under Chapter 48 of the ITC [HS] 2017 Schedule 1. The system will collect detailed information on imports of these products, which will aid in the analysis of trade and facilitate policy formulation. Real-time access to information will enable monitoring and targeted decision-making.

    A legal consequence 

    An importer who fails to register their information /data on notified products in advance or is found to furnish incorrect data in the online PIMS module will attract punitive action including action under the Foreign Trade [ d&r] Act 1992.

    Mandatory 

    For importing paper and its related products importers need to take PIMS authorization as addressed by DGFT in this regard. 

    To enable custom clearance of consignment an importer shall have to enter the registration number URN and expiry date of registration in the bill of entry. 

    Purpose of PIMS registration 

    Based on the demand of the domestic paper industry, the introduction of PIMS is intended to curb 

    • Import under the others category tariff items 
    • Re-routing goods through other countries instead of trade agreements 
    • Dumping of papers and paper products in the domestic market by way of under-invoicing 
    • Entry of prohibited goods by misdeclaration.
    • Pims may also promote the Make in India and Atmanirbhar initiatives under this category.

    Validity of registration 

    Importers can apply for online registration not earlier than 75 days before the expected date of arrival of import consignment. after registration automatic URN number is generated The automatic registration number urn shall remain valid for 75 days.

    multiple consignments in the bill of entry [ boe] shall be allowed in the same registration number within the validity period of registration for the permitted quantity.

    Applicability 

    The  PIMS shall be applicable on import by a domestic territory area unit on a wide range of paper products covering 201 tariff lines such as –

    • Newsprint paper 
    • Handmade paper 
    • Coated paper 
    • Uncoated paper 
    • Litho and offset paper 
    • Tissue paper 
    • Toilet paper 
    • Carton 
    • Label 
    • Wallpaper base 
    • India paper 
    • Drawing paper 
    • Account book paper
    • straw paper 
    • Poster paper 
    • Kraft paper 
    • Bobbins 

    Exemption 

    Paper products like currency paper, bank bond and cheque paper, and security printing paper have been excluded from mandatory registration.

    PIMS obligation for SEZ /FTWZ / EOU to DTA 

    Pims shall require an importer to submit advance information in an online system for the import of items further registration under PIMS shall also be required at the point of import by a unit in a special economic zone / free trading warehousing zone or at the time of import by an export-oriented unit of the items covered PIMS .however registration under PIMS shall not be required by the domestic territory area [ dta] unit at the time of customs clearance from the

     SEZ / FTWZ / EOU to DTA 

    if no processing has taken place of the item of paper that has already been registered under PIMS  at the time of entry into an SEZ / FTWZ / EOU.

    However, if processing has taken place in the  SEZ / FTWZ / EOU  with a change in HS code at 

    8 – 8-digit level, then the importer in DTA will be required to register under PIMS if the processed item falls under any of the 201 tariff lines covered under PIMS

    Pims registration process 

    Step 1 – online registration 

    An importer must create an account on the Pims portal providing their details and mandatory documents.

    Step – 2 product details 

    Detailed information about the imported paper products, including quantity, value, and country of origin must be submitted.

    Step 3  monitoring and compliance 

    Registered importers are subject to monitoring and compliance checks to ensure adherence to the regulations.

    Document required for PIMS  registration

    • Basic details and documents of applicants 
    • Proof of business 
    • Digital signature certificate [e-token]
    • Import-export code 

    PIMS  intended to  

    Pims is intended to assist the government regulate the paper import market and protect domestic paper producers from unfair competition.

    Pims also ensure that only high-quality paper is imported into the country.

    Pims addressing accountability among importers and reducing the possibility of malpractice.

    Protection of domestic industry 

    PIMS provides valuable market insights, promotes transparency, and prevents unfair trade practices. 

    Conclusion 

    Department of Commerce [ doc] and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade [ DPIIT ]  have implemented the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) to ensure paper imports into the country are registered and tracked, irrespective of the purpose and under any scheme, such as Advance Authorization, IGCR, EOU, or SEZ. This measure has been instrumental in India’s considerable progress in international trade and commerce, enabling the country to emerge as a major player in the global paper industry.

    PIMS is a transformative mechanism in the realm of international paper trade, allowing importers to register and monitor their paper imports. The system provides valuable information on paper prices and other market data.

    SIMS FAQ

    Sims is a steel monitoring system addressed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Steel Government of India to provide advance information about steel import to the government and relevant stakeholders.
    The purpose of the licensing system is to provide statistical data on steel imports entering India before the arrival of the imports. Once a week the data submitted on the steel license are compiled, checked, and published on the Ministry of Steel website for the public to analyze.
    Any business importing steel products covered under the licensing program is required to take /create a license for concerned imports. Importers, importing agents, and brokers can apply for this license.
    Yes, a license is required for each custom entry. you may include multiple products on one license as well.
    A registration fee of Rs 1 per thousand subject to a minimum of rs 500 and a maximum of rs 1 lakh on aggregate cif value of imports will need to be paid through electronic mode in the online system for each import registration.
    There are over 284 steel tariff lines with 8-digit HS codes that require registration for imports into India. a detailed list of these hs codes is available in the dropdown of the hs code and description field in the items details section of the application.
    Yes, all steel products that are entering into India require prior registration before imports.
    The license must be filled out before submitting the bill of entry to customs. it should be filled out between 15 days to 60 days before the expected arrival of the import into India.
    The automatic registration number granted shall be valid for 75 days.
    No, creating an account is not necessary for applying for a license. You need to log in to the sims website through your IEC number to access your account.
    The IEC importer exporter code number is a 10-digit code number given to an exporter or importer by the regional office of the Director General of Foreign Trade [ DGFT], Department of Commerce, Government of India.
    The OTP is sent to both, the registered email ID and phone number that is linked to the stakeholder IEC number. Yes, can't do this through the Sims website. but provisions are being made for alternate login protocol using ID and password to support you with the requirement. In case you want to change your number, you can reach out to the regional office of the Director General of Foreign Trade DGFT, Department of Commerce, Government of India
    Yes, multiple login access is possible for users with the same IEC number.
    After logging in to the SIMS website, please select new registration and start filling in the relevant information for the concerned imports. post the payment of the fee, the license will be created.
    The exporter is defined in line with the Customs Act 1962.it is broadly defined as the person, country, or company that is sending the goods into India.
    Manufacturers are defined as the stakeholders who carry out maximum value addition on the product being imported.
    Country of origin is defined in line with the rules of origin definition laid out. these rules are different across various national and international laws.
    The port of exportation is the port in the exporting country from where the goods are dispatched to India.
    Hs codes are necessary information that has to be filled in for importing products. in that case, stakeholders need to connect with technical experts to identify the HS code for your concerned products before imports.
    If the stakeholder is not clear about the product's technical details then they need to go through the Ministry of Steel portal because the Technical details of the product are mandatory
    Yes, one license application can cover multiple products. sims have the provision of adding multiple items for each registration provided by the importer, exporter, manufacturer, country of origin, and port of exportation are the same.
    The sims license number is created immediately after completing the payment and clicking on the final submit button.
    Firstly ensure that the license still needs to be added to your drafts. this happens if you forget to click the final submit button post payment of the fee.
    For hs - is code that is covered under the QCO, stakeholders must fill in the relevant information. in case there is no specific code that matches your exact specification, then select none and fill in technical information about the product being imported in the technical details Field.
    For hs - is code that is covered under the QCO, stakeholders must fill in the relevant information. in case there is no specific code that matches your exact specification, then select none and fill in technical information about the product being imported in the technical details Field.
    If you are unaware of whether this product is being manufactured in India, reach out to the industry and try gathering the information before being imported.
    The terminology Non-prime steel means those products that are not tested as per the relevant standards specification as addressed by the Ministry of Steel page. Non-prime also known as second & defective, second& secondary, second grade, second choice, third choice, defectuous Prime steel means steel products not complying with these criteria can be considered as prime steel.
    IS code is specifications created by the BIS Bureau of Indian Standards for a large number of products. in case a stakeholder is not familiar with the IS code definition basis steel grade then first go through and research the bis website for the relevant IS codes if you can't find the IS code that matches your exact specification, fill in technical information about the product being imported in the technical details field.
    For all licenses that are not yet submitted stakeholders can modify the license from the draft directions on the website. in case you have submitted the license application no changes can be made.
    Additional payment for the registration fees has to be made only in cases where your fee payable after modification is higher than before. In case the fee payable is lower, there will be no refund made. provision to the refund can be evaluated in the upcoming enhancements.
    Licenses that are not yet submitted can be cancelled by deleting the draft created. in case the application has been submitted, cancellations cannot be made. provisions to cancel the license post submission can be evaluated in the upcoming enhancements.
    If you are contacted by the SIMS team regarding duplicate licenses or possible errors on the license stakeholders must respond immediately so that the SIMS team can keep its data as up-to-date as possible.
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