In a major step towards enhancing transparency and efficiency in coal import monitoring, the Ministry of Coal has rolled out the Coal Import Monitoring System (CIMS). The digital initiative is designed to support the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by enabling real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making in coal import substitution.
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CIMS acts as a centralized digital platform for reporting coal import consignments, providing timely and accurate data for better policy formulation and sectoral analysis. As per the new mandate, coal importers are required to register their shipment details on the CIMS portal before or upon arrival at any Indian port.
To promote ease of doing business and maintain uniformity with other import monitoring systems, the Ministry of Coal has rationalized the CIMS registration fee. Effective 15th April 2025, the fee has been standardized to Rs. 500 per consignment, replacing the previous tiered structure which ranged from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,00,000. This brings CIMS in alignment with other systems like the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), Non-Ferrous Import Monitoring System (NFIMS), and the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS)—all of which follow a flat fee model.
Importers must obtain an Automatic Registration Number from the CIMS portal, which is mandatory to be quoted in the Bill of Entry at the time of customs clearance.
The Ministry of Coal emphasized its commitment to facilitating trade, enhancing regulatory transparency, and streamlining procedures in support of India’s industrial growth and energy security.
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