NFMIMS DGFT notification copper aluminium import rule change June 2026

NFMIMS 2026: Copper & Aluminium Import Rule Change

Source: DGFT Notification No. 22/2026-27, June 30, 2026 | Ministry of Commerce & Industry

⚙️ What Happened — And Why Copper & Aluminium Importers Must Pay Attention

DGFT issued Notification No. 22/2026-27 on 30 June 2026, amending Chapter 74 and Chapter 76 of the ITC(HS) 2022 to ease registration timing under the Non-ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System (NFMIMS).

Until now, importers of copper (Annexure-I) and aluminium (Annexure-II) had to apply for the automatic NFMIMS Registration Number before the arrival of the import consignment. Many importers struggled to meet this timing, especially when shipment schedules shifted unexpectedly.

The new rule fixes a real pain point — your shipment could arrive before you finished registration. That problem is now gone.

What Changed — Old Rule vs New Rule

Aspect	Old Rule (Before 30 Jun 2026)	New Rule (From 30 Jun 2026)
Registration Deadline	Before arrival of import consignment	Before final Customs clearance / 'Out of Charge'
Applicable Chapters	Chapter 74 (Copper), Chapter 76 (Aluminium)	Same — both chapters amended
Earliest Application Window	Not earlier than 60th day before expected arrival	Same — unchanged
Validity of Registration	75 days	Same — unchanged
Risk of Missing Deadline	High — shipment could arrive before registration completed	Low — registration window extends till Customs clearance

📌 Key Point: Shipment already on the way and no NFMIMS registration yet? You're not stuck. You have until Customs clears it — use that window now

📋 Full Notification Details — What DGFT Actually Changed

The Central Government, in exercise of powers under Section 3 and Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, has amended the import policy conditions with immediate effect.

Chapter 74 (Policy Condition Sl. No. 3, Sub Para (c)) — Copper: The Non-ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System (NFMIMS) requires importers to submit advance information online for items in Annexure-I (copper) and Annexure-II (aluminium) and obtain an automatic Registration Number by paying the registration fee as per Appendix 2K. The importer shall now apply for registration before final clearance / 'Out of Charge' consignment. Registration can be applied not earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival. The automatic number granted remains valid for 75 days.

Chapter 76 (Policy Condition Sl. No. 1, Sub Para (c)) — Aluminium: Same amendment applies. Registration under NFMIMS must be obtained before final Customs clearance / 'Out of Charge', with the same 60-day earliest application window and 75-day validity period.

The notification clarifies the effect of this amendment: it allows importers to obtain NFMIMS registration at any time before the issuance of the Customs "Out of Charge" order — meaning the final Customs clearance permitting removal of goods from the Customs area — thereby easing compliance and facilitating smoother import clearance.

This notification was issued with the approval of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and signed by Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade & Ex-officio Addl. Secretary to Govt. of India. File No. 01/89/180/03/AM-26/PC.2(A)/E-46034.

✅ NFMIMS Compliance Checklist — For Copper & Aluminium Importers

If you import copper or aluminium — verify all points below before your next shipment reaches port. The window is now wider but compliance is still mandatory.

Area	What to Verify	Why It Matters	Status
NFMIMS Registration	Apply before Customs Out of Charge — not just before arrival	New rule — registration window extended, but still mandatory	☐
Chapter Classification	Confirm product falls under Chapter 74 (copper) or Chapter 76 (aluminium)	Wrong chapter = wrong compliance process	☐
Annexure Check	Confirm item appears in Annexure-I (copper) or Annexure-II (aluminium)	NFMIMS applies only to listed items in these annexures	☐
Application Timing	Apply not earlier than 60 days before expected arrival	Early applications (before 60-day window) are not accepted	☐
Registration Fee	Fee paid as per Appendix 2K before submitting application	Automatic number won't be granted without fee payment	☐
75-Day Validity	Confirm registration won't expire before shipment clears Customs	Registration valid only 75 days — don't apply too early	☐
IEC	Active and address updated at DGFT portal	NFMIMS registration is linked to your IEC	☐
Customs Broker Update	Inform your CHA about the new Out of Charge deadline	Brokers may still be following old pre-arrival timing	☐

📌 Save this page. Effective 30 June 2026. If your copper or aluminium shipment is already moving — check your NFMIMS status today, not when the vessel berths.

Source: DGFT Notification No. 22/2026-27, June 30, 2026 | Ministry of Commerce & Industry

📰 Related Posts You Must Read

🔗 DGFT Trade Notice 07/2026-27: ITC HS Export Policy Changes

🔗 Index of Eight Core Industries May 2026: Steel and Cement Lead

🔗 Customs Duty Calculator & HS Code Finder: Guide for Indian Exporters 2026

🔗 IEC Mandatory Annual Validation 2026 — DGFT Deadline June 30

📲 Get Instant Export Trade Updates

Join our WhatsApp Channel — Daily FTA news, customs alerts and export guides. Free forever.