In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and promoting ease of doing business, the Ministry of Coal has rationalised the registration fee under the Coal Import Monitoring System (CIMS). Effective from April 15, 2025, the fee has been revised to a flat ₹500 per consignment, replacing the previous variable fee structure which ranged from ₹500 to ₹1,00,000.
The CIMS is a digital platform introduced to streamline the reporting of coal imports and ensure real-time monitoring of consignments arriving at Indian ports. This initiative is a part of the government’s larger vision of achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat by enabling data-driven policy formulation and improving import substitution efforts in the coal sector.
By aligning the CIMS fee structure with other Import Monitoring Systems such as the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), Non-Ferrous Import Monitoring System (NFIMS), and Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS)—all of which follow a flat fee model—the Coal Ministry aims to create a uniform and business-friendly regulatory environment.
As per the new regulations, all coal importers are required to register their consignment details on the CIMS portal before or at the time of shipment arrival at any Indian port. They must also obtain an Automatic Registration Number, which is mandatory to be quoted in the Bill of Entry during customs clearance.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting India’s industrial and energy demands by simplifying procedures, reducing regulatory burden, and ensuring greater transparency in the coal import ecosystem.
This reform is expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce compliance costs for importers, and strengthen the government’s ability to monitor and manage coal imports effectively.
