India will implement a Coal Import Monitoring System (CIMS) from February 1 that would require coal importers to submit advance information in an online system for import and obtain an automatic registration number.
“The Coal Import Monitoring System (CIMS) shall require importers to submit advance information in an online system for import of items and obtain an automatic Registration Number by paying a registration fee of Rs 1 per thousand, subject to a minimum of Rs 500 and maximum of Rs 1 lakh on CIF value,” Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.
As per the notification, imports of anthracite coal, bituminous coal, coking coal, and steam coal will be subject to the CIMS.
“The importer can apply for registration not earlier than 60th day and not later than 15th day before the expected date of arrival of import consignment,” DGFT said.
The government already has an import monitoring system for a number of steel items, called SIMS, that keep a tab on imports and boost domestic manufacturing.
For CIMS, the automatic registration number shall remain valid for a period of 75 days and the importer would have to enter the registration number and expiry date of registration in the Bill of Entry to enable customs for clearance of consignment.
