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DGFT surprises exporters with annual returns under the Rodtep scheme

The DGFT wants the exporters to submit the data for the year 2023-24 by the March 31, 2025. Not furnishing the ARR will lead to denial of Rodtep benefits

Registration certificate not mandatory for exporters seeking benefits: DGFT

The commerce ministry's arm DGFT has clarified that registration-cum-membership certificate is not mandatory for exporters to seek benefits under schemes like duty drawback and remission of state levies. According to the Foreign Trade Policy, a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is required for exporters in order to avail benefits under the policy. Holding the certificate can also help exporters in availing benefits with respect to customs and excise. The certificate is issued by export promotion councils and commodity boards. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said that schemes such as duty drawback, rebate of state and central taxes and levies (RoSCTL) and remission of duties and taxes on export products (RoDTEP) fall under the category of remission-based schemes. These schemes are aimed at remitting duties or taxes on exported goods. For these schemes, "the requirement of an RCMC does not apply. Exporters can claim benefits under these schemes witho

DGFT notifies policy conditions for exports of certain halal meat, products

The government on Tuesday notified policy conditions for export of certain halal meat and its products and this will come into effect from October 16 this year. Notifying the conditions, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said specified meat and meat products will be allowed to be exported as halal certified to 15 countries, only if such goods are produced or processed and/or packaged in a facility certified under the 'India Conformity Assessment Scheme (I-CAS) - Halal' of the Quality Council of India (QCI). The 15 countries are Bahrain, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Jordan, Oman, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE. After the shipments, the exporter will have to provide the valid certificate to the buyer in the importing country. "Policy conditions for export of specified halal meat and meat products are notified," the DGFT said. In April 2023, with the aim of streamlining the halal certification process for exp

Defence production dept authorised to issue licenses for munitions export

The commerce ministry's arm DGFT on Tuesday said the Department of Defence Production has been authorised as the licensing authority for export of all items falling under the munitions category for military end-use. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified the updated SCOMET (Special Chemicals Organisms Materials Equipment and Technologies) list for 2024. It said that India's export control list (SCOMET) has been updated, incorporating the recent changes in the control lists of the multilateral export control regimes, and certain policy amendments on the basis of inputs from relevant government organisations and stakeholders. "With the recent update, DGFT has also authorised the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, to be the licensing authority for export of all items falling under Category 6 of SCOMET for military end use," it said in a statement. Category 6 list includes munitions such as weapons, rifles and magazines. India is a membe

No import of milk, its products under TRQ undertaken since 2014-15: DGFT

India has not provided any tariff rate quota (TRQ) for the import of milk and its products since 2014-15, a senior commerce ministry official said on Monday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that in the last 20 years, the import of milk and milk products like skimmed milk powder under TRQ have been affected only in three years. "No imports of milk and milk products under TRQ have been undertaken since 2014-15," he told reporters here. Post 2011-12, there has been no import of skimmed milk powder imports by utilising the TRQ route. The TRQ is a mechanism that allows imports of a set quantity of specific products at a lower customs duty. Tariff quotas are used on a wide range of products but most are in the agriculture sector. Cereals, meat, fruit and vegetables, and dairy products are the most common. He said that there are no applications for TRQ for these products pending as on date. Sarangi also rejected a news report stating that the Governme

DGFT, Revenue dept working on dedicated hubs to boost e-commerce exports

In a bid to boost India's e-commerce exports, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is working with the Department of Revenue to establish designated e-commerce hubs across the country to streamline the process for online export shipments. The country's e-commerce exports currently stand at USD 2 billion as compared to China's staggering USD 350 billion, according to industry sources. The government aims at bridging the gap by establishing a supportive e-commerce ecosystem, they said. "A lot of streamlining is required in this regard. We are working with the Department of Revenue to have designated e-commerce hubs so that clearance of goods happens fast," Director General of Foreign Trade Santosh Kumar Sarangi told PTI. He said these hubs will have facilities like dedicated customs and security checks, allowing cleared parcels to proceed through a green channel at airports, eliminating the need for further inspections. This approach mirrors best practices observed in oth

Export projection for FY25 underway, working on ease of doing biz: DGFT

The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Friday said that export projections for the current fiscal are still being finalised while efforts are on to improve the ease of doing business to meet the government's goal of achieving USD 2 trillion in exports by 2030. Total exports in FY'24 were USD 778 billion, showing a marginal increase from the previous year's exports of USD 776 billion. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has estimated that the country's total exports of goods and services for the current fiscal year could be around USD 890-910 billion. "Export target for current fiscal is not yet finalised," DGFT Santosh Kumar Sarangi told reporters after interacting with the exporters of Kolkata. He said that the DGFT's office has submitted a proposal for the extension of the Interest Equalization Scheme, which is set to end in June but it is not yet approved. The scheme provides pre and post-shipment Rupee export credit, offering a two per cent interest ..

DGFT implements automated system for adhoc input-output norms fixation

The commerce ministry's arm DGFT on Thursday said it has implemented an automated system for adhoc input-output norms fixation for goods, with a view to promote ease of doing business for exporters. Exporters are allowed to import duty-free raw material or inputs for manufacturing goods for exports purposes only under an advance authorisation scheme. For this scheme, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has fixed standard input-output norms for almost all categories of products. Depending on these norms, a license is issued for duty-free imports. For example, if 10 Kg steel is required to make a 100 meter long pipe, license will be given under the scheme for duty-free import of 12 kg of steel as there would be some wastages also in the manufacturing process. DGFT provides a sector-wise list of Standard Input-Output Norms (SION), under which exporters may choose to apply for the license. Alternatively, exporters may apply for their own adhoc norms in cases where the SION

Curbs on some studded gold jewellery not applicable for SEZ units: DGFT

The government has clarified that its decision to impose import curbs on certain types of studded gold jewellery is not applicable for units in the special economic zones (SEZs). On June 11, the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) through a notification imposed the restrictions to discourage inbound shipments of these items from countries like Indonesia and Tanzania. "It is clarified that imports made by SEZ units (other than free trade warehousing zones)...are outside the purview of this notification," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) has said in a policy circular. The DGFT has said that it has received representations from SEZ units highlighting the issues faced by them due to this notification. Goods under restricted category need a licence/permission from the government. SEZs are key export hubs which contributed over one-third of the country's total outbound shipments in the last fiscal. These are enclosures that are treated as foreign territories for t

Govt puts new wastage norms for gold, silver jewellery exports on hold

The government on Tuesday put on hold the new norms for permissible wastage amount for gold, silver and platinum content in jewellery exports until July 31, 2024, just a day after the notification after the gems and jewellery industry raised serious concerns on the new standards. The government on Monday notified revised norms related to the permissible amount of wastage and standard input output with regard to the export of gold and silver jewellery. The industry claimed that the norms were notified without any consultation. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Tuesday that now keeping in view the representation of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council highlighting the difficulties to their sector from the revised norms, another opportunity will be given to the industry for submission of their views. The DGFT said that the industry and the council can provide information/data to the concerned norms committee within one month. Accordingly DGFThereby places th

Banks should not hold up crediting exporters money due to fault of ICEGATE

On the outstanding EDPMS entry you can't do much except follow up with ICEGATE. But, I don't think your bank is correct in holding up your money

DGFT should issue orders on QCO item imports as replenishment under AA

It appears the government intends to give GAEC for exports of SCOMET items only to the parties to whom you have already made some exports

DGFT notifies policy for general authorisation for export of SCOMET goods

The commerce ministry on Wednesday notified a policy for general authorisation for the export of certain telecommunication-related and information security-related items under a SCOMET category to grant one-time bulk licences. A detailed procedure for these authorisations has also been notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Special chemicals, organisms, materials, equipment and technologies (SCOMET) items are dual-use goods. "The policy for general authorisation for export of telecommunication-related items under SCOMET category...and export of information security items under SCOMET category...to grant one-time bulk licences for these items has been notified," the DGFT said in a notification. The applicant exporter will have to submit an application for getting a one-time license through the online SCOMET portal and attach the information in the prescribed format.

QCOs of only three ministries exempted from imports under AA/EOU/SEZ

When we get the EPCG authorization, we can get the bill of entry finalized by claiming the exemption under the relevant Customs notification

Exporters need to follow new British rules to avail duty benefits: DGFT

Exporters seeking to avail duty concessions on shipments to the UK will have to adhere to the new British rules under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). In a trade notice, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said that the United Kingdom (UK) has replaced its existing origin declaration process under Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) with the UK DCTS effective from June 19, 2023. The transition period for this change was extended until December 31, 2023. "Starting from January 1, 2024, onwards, Indian exporters to the UK are required to adhere to the new rules under DCTS to avail concessions on their exports to the UK," the trade notice to the exporters community said. It added that goods that meet the UK DCTS Rules of Origin (RoO) requirements would be eligible to claim a concessional rate of import duty for exports to the UK. "Consequently, the origin criteria necessary for satisfying the Rules of Origin to avail tariff concessions on exports from India t

DGFT inks agreement with DHL to train MSMEs on e-commerce exports

To promote e-commerce exports, the commerce ministry's arm DGFT in partnership with logistics services provider DHL will conduct training sessions and workshops for MSMEs in 76 districts of the country, a statement said on Thursday. The exercise is aimed at preparing MSMEs to tap the growing potential of increasing exports through e-commerce medium, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in the statement. The DGFT has been actively engaging to boost e-commerce exports from the country, leveraging its 'District as Export Hubs' initiative. It has been collaborating with various e-commerce platforms and other service providers to conduct capacity-building and training sessions in the identified districts. "The goal is to promote and enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to explore the international markets through e-commerce channels," the ministry said. "Today DGFT partnered with DHL through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will cov

Govt exempts certain exporting units from quality control orders

The government on Friday exempted advance authorisation holders and export-oriented units (EOUs) from mandatory quality control orders for imported goods that are used as inputs for exports. It said that the exemption will be with pre-import conditions, and those inputs will be utilised in the manufacturing of the export products. "Enabling provisions are made for exempting inputs imported by Advance Authorisation holders and EOUs from mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs)," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The unutilised material will be destroyed in the presence of jurisdictional GST/customs authorities, it added. Mandatory QCOs help curb the import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers as well as the environment. QCOs are applicable for products domestically manufactured as well as imported. Every manufacturing unit in and outside India has to comply with these orders i

Customs to ease export norms for certain dual-use goods, says DGFT

The government is working to liberalise export norms for certain products which have dual-use like chemicals for companies that have proven track record, a senior official said on Tuesday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that dual-use goods and technologies are sensitive and if it goes in the wrong hands of non-state actors, it can cause serious disruptions globally. A small group of rebels in Yemen have disrupted the global trade as they are attacking foreign commercial ships with drones and missiles. "We are working with the industry, with the ministry of external affairs, and with the customs to ensure that a whole lot of sectors are liberalised for those companies which have proven track record of responsible use and responsible exports," Sranagi said here at the 'National Conference on Strategic Trade Controls'. It was organised by the DGFT and the external affairs ministry here. Dual use implies the usage of these goods and technologies in

Integrate more districts in export initiatives to boost shipments: DGFT

More and more districts need to be integrated with export initiatives to help boost the country's outbound shipments, a senior official said on Wednesday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi also said that an increase in exports helps in enhancing per capita income. He said that four states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - account for 65 per cent of India's exports and they also have a high per capita income. The DGFT also noted that only 62 districts out of over 760 in the country contribute about 80 per cent of India's exports. "So there is a need to integrate more and more districts in our export initiatives. Imagine if another 700 districts get involved in export activities, then our export potential will multiply," Sarangi said here while inaugurating the Federation of Indian Export Organisations' (FIEO) 'Sourcex India' exhibition. The three-day show will end on January 19 here. "There is a very positive correlation between export

No import restrictions on certain IT products like desktop computers: DGFT

The government has clarified that there are no import restrictions on certain IT hardware products such as desktop computers. In a circular to customs authorities and industry, the commerce ministry arm Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said only the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra small form factor computers and servers is restricted and imports of these goods are allowed against a valid import authorisation. "The given import restriction does not apply to any other goods such as desktop computers, etc, under the tariff head 8471," it said. In international trade parlance, every product is categorised under an HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) code, or tariff heads. It helps in systematic classification of goods across the globe. HS Code 8471 includes products related to automatic data processing machines and units. It includes a mouse, printers, scanners, and CD drives. In August 2023, the government imposed restrictions on ..