NFMIMS Registration Before Customs Clearance 2026: New Rules After June Amendment

Key Takeaways

• DGFT amended NFMIMS registration requirements through Notification No. 22/2026-27 dated June 30, 2026.
• The amendment applies to specified imports covered under Chapter 74 (copper) and Chapter 76 (aluminium).
• Importers can now obtain NFMIMS registration before final Customs clearance / “Out of Charge”, instead of before arrival of the consignment.
• NFMIMS registration continues to be mandatory for notified products.
• Advance information must still be submitted through the online system.
• The prescribed registration fee continues to apply.
• Registration can still be applied for not earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.
• The automatic Registration Number remains valid for 75 days.

Introduction

Importers of specified copper and aluminium products need to closely monitor NFMIMS requirements before completing Customs clearance.

The Non-Ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System (NFMIMS) was introduced to collect advance information relating to specified imports of non-ferrous metals. For covered products, importers are required to complete the prescribed registration process and obtain an automatic Registration Number.

A significant procedural change was introduced by DGFT Notification No. 22/2026-27 dated June 30, 2026. The amendment provides greater flexibility by allowing NFMIMS registration to be completed before final Customs clearance, rather than requiring registration before the arrival of the import consignment.

For importers, this change is important because registration timing can directly affect Customs clearance planning.

What Is NFMIMS?

NFMIMS stands for Non-Ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System.

It requires importers of specified products covered under the applicable import policy conditions to submit advance information through an online system and obtain an automatic Registration Number after payment of the applicable registration fee.

The system currently covers notified products relating to copper under Chapter 74 and aluminium under Chapter 76 of ITC (HS) 2022.

NFMIMS is an import monitoring mechanism. It does not mean that every copper or aluminium product automatically requires registration; applicability must be checked against the relevant notified product and HS classification.

What Changed After the June 2026 Amendment?

Earlier Requirement

Before the June 2026 amendment, the importer was required to apply for NFMIMS registration before the arrival of the import consignment.

This meant that importers had to coordinate registration with expected shipment and arrival dates.

New Requirement

Under Notification No. 22/2026-27, the requirement has been relaxed.

The importer may now apply for NFMIMS registration before final Customs clearance / issuance of the “Out of Charge” order.

This gives importers additional flexibility when shipment schedules change or registration could not be completed before arrival.

What Has Not Changed?

The June amendment does not remove NFMIMS registration.

The following requirements continue:

• Online submission of advance information
• Payment of the prescribed registration fee
• Registration for applicable notified products
• Registration application not earlier than 60 days before expected arrival
• 75-day validity of the automatic Registration Number

Featured Snippet Answer

NFMIMS registration in 2026 must be completed before Customs issues the final “Out of Charge” order for applicable copper and aluminium imports. DGFT’s June 30, 2026 amendment relaxed the earlier requirement of completing registration before the consignment arrived. However, NFMIMS registration remains mandatory for notified products, along with online information submission and the applicable registration fee.

Who Needs to Check NFMIMS Registration?

Importers should examine NFMIMS applicability when importing specified products covered under:

Chapter 74 – Copper

Specified copper products listed under the applicable NFMIMS annexure require registration.

Chapter 76 – Aluminium

Specified aluminium products listed under the applicable NFMIMS annexure are also covered.

The correct HS Code, product description and applicable policy condition should therefore be checked before filing the Bill of Entry.

How to Complete NFMIMS Registration in 2026

Step 1: Check Product Applicability

Confirm whether the imported product falls under the notified NFMIMS items.

Step 2: Verify HS Classification

Review the applicable ITC (HS) code and ensure that the product description corresponds with the actual goods.

Step 3: Submit Advance Information

Enter the required import information in the NFMIMS online system.

Step 4: Pay the Applicable Registration Fee

Complete payment of the prescribed fee as applicable under the DGFT framework.

Step 5: Obtain the Registration Number

After successful submission, the system generates the automatic Registration Number.

Step 6: Coordinate With Customs

Ensure the NFMIMS Registration Number is available before the Customs Out of Charge stage.

The new rule provides flexibility on timing, but importers should not treat the amendment as permission to complete registration after Customs has already issued Out of Charge.

Why the Amendment Is Important for Importers

The June 2026 amendment can provide practical benefits for businesses handling copper and aluminium imports.

Greater Flexibility

Importers are no longer restricted to completing registration before the physical arrival of the consignment.

Better Shipment Planning

Changes in vessel schedules, arrival dates or logistics arrangements can be managed with greater flexibility.

Reduced Risk of Pre-Arrival Compliance Issues

The revised timeline can reduce situations where an importer faces a registration issue simply because the shipment arrived earlier than expected.

Smoother Customs Clearance

Importers can complete the registration process before the final Customs clearance stage while maintaining the monitoring requirement.

Common NFMIMS Compliance Mistakes

Importers should avoid:

• Assuming all copper or aluminium imports are covered without checking the notified list.
• Using an incorrect HS Code.
• Providing incomplete or inaccurate product information.
• Waiting until the last moment before Customs clearance.
• Ignoring the 75-day validity period.
• Failing to coordinate NFMIMS information with the Bill of Entry.
• Treating the June amendment as removal of the registration requirement.

The most important point is simple: the deadline has been relaxed, but the registration requirement has not been abolished.

Practical Compliance Checklist for 2026

Before Customs clearance, importers should verify:

• Product falls within the notified NFMIMS scope.
• Correct HS Code has been confirmed.
• Importer details are accurate.
• Product description matches commercial documents.
• Advance information has been submitted.
• Applicable registration fee has been paid.
• NFMIMS Registration Number has been generated.
• Registration remains valid.
• Registration is available before Out of Charge.
• Customs broker has been informed of the registration details.

FAQs

Is NFMIMS registration still mandatory in 2026?

Yes. The June 2026 amendment changed the timing of registration but did not remove the requirement for applicable notified products.

What is the major NFMIMS change in June 2026?

Importers can now obtain NFMIMS registration before final Customs clearance or the “Out of Charge” order instead of having to obtain it before the consignment arrived.

Does the amendment apply to all imports?

No. The relevant amendment concerns specified products under Chapter 74 for copper and Chapter 76 for aluminium. Applicability should be checked against the notified items.

Can NFMIMS registration be obtained after Out of Charge?

The revised condition allows registration before final clearance / Out of Charge. Therefore, importers should ensure registration is completed before Customs issues the Out of Charge order.

How early can NFMIMS registration be applied for?

The revised provision continues to state that registration can be applied for not earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival.

How long is NFMIMS registration valid?

The automatic Registration Number remains valid for 75 days under the revised provision.

Does the June amendment remove the NFMIMS registration fee?

No. The requirement to obtain registration by submitting information online and paying the prescribed registration fee continues.

Conclusion

The June 2026 NFMIMS amendment is an important trade-facilitation measure for importers of notified copper and aluminium products.

The biggest change is the relaxation of the registration timeline: instead of requiring NFMIMS registration before the arrival of the consignment, importers can now complete the process before the final Customs Out of Charge stage.

However, businesses should not interpret this as removal of NFMIMS compliance. Correct HS classification, product verification, accurate online information, timely registration and coordination with Customs remain essential.

For importers handling non-ferrous metals, incorporating the revised NFMIMS timeline into the import compliance checklist can help reduce clearance delays and avoid last-minute regulatory issues.

Need Professional Help With NFMIMS Registration?

A V International assists importers and businesses with DGFT registrations, NFMIMS compliance, HS Code classification, import documentation, Customs coordination and broader import-export regulatory requirements.

Professional compliance support can help businesses identify applicable requirements and complete NFMIMS formalities correctly before Customs clearance.

Written By

Akash Bhangare

Having more than 10 years of experience in EPR Compliance, Legal Metrology, DGFT Regulations, and Import Export Consulting Services in India.

Associated with A V International, a company with more than 35 years of expertise in Environmental Compliance, EPR Registrations, Licensing, and Regulatory Approvals.