Exporters

Russian exporters fear liquidity crunch as payments stall on sanctions risk

That's adding to pressures on their cash reserves, the people said, particularly as overnight borrowing costs on domestic and foreign currencies have surged above 20% and there's little

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

Ongoing West Asia war, US strike keep Indian exporters under pressure

Among the other West Asian countries-Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen-the value of the trade with Iraq and Israel is the highest.

'Conflict escalation in West Asia likely to push logistics cost up'

The escalation of conflict in the West Asian region is expected to push already high logistics costs besides hurting trade in sectors such as oil, electronics and agriculture, according to exporters. They said that insurance costs for exports to the countries directly involved in the war could also go up, which will impact Indian exporters' working capital. Think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) stated that the conflict is already hurting India's trade with countries like Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said the Iran-Israel conflict has the potential to significantly impact world trade and the global economy in several ways. "Iran is a key player in the oil market. Any escalation in conflict could disrupt oil supplies, leading to higher prices, which would impact global economies, especially those reliant on oil imports. Oil prices have already moved up by USD 4 per barrel," FIEO DG Ajay Sahai said. Expressing concerns,

Interest equalisation scheme extended for 3 months; capped at Rs 50 lakh

The government has extended the interest equalisation scheme on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit for three more months till December 31 to promote the country's outbound shipments. The scheme, which provides exporters interest benefits, ended on September 30. In a trade notice, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said, "Trade and Industry is hereby informed that the Interest Equalisation Scheme for Pre and Post shipment Rupee Export Credit, which had earlier been extended till September 30, 2024 has been further extended by three months up to December 31, 2024". It also said the fiscal benefits of each MSME, on aggregate, will be restricted to Rs 50 lakh for 2024-25 till December 2024. "MSME manufacturer exporters who have already availed equalisation benefit of Rs 50 lakh or more till 2024-25 till September 30, 2024, will not be eligible for any further benefit in the extended period," it said, adding, "this extension shall be valid for three months or such .

Interest equalisation scheme for exporters extended for another month

The government has extended the interest equalisation scheme on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit for one more month till September 30 to promote the country's outbound shipments. The scheme, which provides exporters interest benefits, ended on August 31. In June, it was extended for two months. In a trade notice, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said, "Trade and industry is hereby informed that the Interest Equalization Scheme for Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit, which had earlier been extended up to August 31 as a fund limited scheme, has been further extended for one month i.e., up to September 30, 2024." It said, however, this extension is applicable only for MSME manufacturing exporters. On December 8, 2023, the Union Cabinet approved an additional allocation of Rs 2,500 crore for the continuation of the scheme up to June 30. The scheme helps exporters from identified sectors and all MSME manufacturer exporters to avail of rupee export credit

Commerce ministry developing e-platform to connect exporters, MSMEs, govt

The government on Tuesday said it is developing a trade connect e-platform to connect exporters, MSMEs and entrepreneurs with various stakeholders including Indian missions abroad, export promotion councils, and other partner government agencies. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that the platform will provide information on trade events taking place in different parts of the world, benefits available due to India's free trade agreements (FTAs) and other international trade-related information and data. "The government has initiated the creation of a trade connect e-platform to connect Indian exporters, MSMEs and entrepreneurs with various stakeholders including Indian Missions Abroad, Export Promotion Councils, and other partner government agencies," he said. Replying to a separate question, Prasada said that the major districts which are recording healthy export growth include Jamnagar, Kanchipuram, Mumbai, Pune, ..

Exporters conscious of quality, spice shipment issues miniscule: Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said Indian exporters are conscious about quality standards and the problem of some spices consignments were "very very" miniscule and need not be exaggerated. He said that the consignments that had some problem were miniscule compared to India's USD 56 billion worth of food and related product exports. "I think the media should resist exaggerating one or two incidences... They were company-specific issues which are being addressed between FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and the concerned authorities," Goyal told reporters when asked about the recent issues with regard to some spices consignments. Certain products of MDH and Everest were rejected by Singapore and Hong Kong for allegedly containing carcinogenic pesticide 'ethylene oxide' beyond permissible limits. The minister added that even the consignments originating from developed countries are rejected on quality issues. "India is very proud of its

Budget 2024: Exporters seek import duty cut on gold, silver, platinum bars

Gems and jewellery exporters on Tuesday sought a reduction in import duty on hold, silver, and platinum bars to 4 per cent in the forthcoming Budget. In a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here, the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said the Indian gems and jewellery industry contributes around 10 per cent to total merchandise exports. However, the industry is currently facing some challenges due to the geopolitical scenario, the emergence of the beneficiation scheme, and issues related to rough diamond sourcing, it added. Against the backdrop of the macroeconomic scenario, the council urged the government to take measures to revive exports in this sector. It also requested to introduce the sale of rough diamonds in SNZs (special notified zones); and "reduce the import duty on gold, silver, and platinum bars to 4 per cent; and introduce duty drawback on exports of platinum jewellery to take advantage of India UAE comprehensive economic cooperati

Govt pursuing customs mutual recognition agreements with nations: CBIC

India has signed mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with customs authorities of seven nations and is actively pursuing negotiations for such pacts with other countries, a top official said. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and the Federal Customs Service, Russia, this month signed the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) MRA to provide reciprocal benefits to accredited and trusted exporters of both signatories in the clearance of goods by the customs authorities of the importing country. "The CBIC and the Federal Customs Service, Russia signed the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Agreement, which is a major trade facilitation boost for Indian importers and exporters. While this is the 7th MRA that has been signed by Indian Customs, negotiations are being actively pursued with many other Customs' administrations," CBIC Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said in a communication to field formation. The AEO programme enables Customs administration to ...

Govt working to help exporters deal with countervailing duty cases

The government is working on a verification system to help exporters deal with countervailing duty cases on domestic products over the RODTEP scheme, an official said. The exercise is important as countervailing or anti-subsidy duties were imposed on certain domestic units by the US and European Union (EU). The products which were investigated by these countries involved reimbursement of levies like electricity duty, VAT on fuel or APMC taxes under the Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP). The scheme is a WTO (World Trade Organisation) compliant measure. The official explained that the duties have been imposed on certain units only and that too because they could not produce the right documents to the investigation authorities. The commerce ministry is helping Indian exporters to keep proper documentation to deal with these cases. "We will be giving guidance notes from DGTR (directorate general of trade remedies) to units so that whenever an ...

Exporters urge government to extend interest equalisation scheme

In a statement, the apex body for exporters, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), on Monday said that the scheme provides competitiveness to Indian exports, particularly to MSMEs

Small exporters seek continuation of amnesty scheme till Sep: Industry body

Several small exporters have requested the government to continue the amnesty scheme for one-time settlement of default in export obligation till September, an industry body said on Monday. Ludhiana-based Hand Tools Association President S C Ralhan said the number of small exporters have not been able to avail of benefits of the scheme due to fulfilling their obligations to make make payments to MSMEs within 45 days. According to Section 43B(h) of the Income Tax Act, introduced through the Finance Act 2023, if a larger company does not pay an MSME on time -- within 45 days in case of written agreements -- it cannot deduct that expense from its taxable income, leading to potentially higher taxes. "Due to this, we diverted our funds to make payments and several of us were not able to apply for the amnesty scheme. We urge the government to continue the scheme till September," Ralhan said. The last date for payment of customs duty plus interest ended on March 31, 2024. In the new fore

Exporters urge exemption from 45-day payment rule for supplies from MSEs

Indian exporters have urged the government to exempt them from the 45-day payment rule for goods bought from micro and small enterprises (MSEs) as it will impact their businesses. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chiefs of major export promotion councils and federation of Indian export organisations have appealed to waive the export companies from section 43B(h) of the Income Tax law. The new rule, Section 43B(h) of the Income Tax Act, introduced in the Finance Act 2023, is designed to make sure small businesses get paid on time. It allows companies to get tax breaks if they pay their small business suppliers within the time limits set by the MSMED (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development) Act, 2006. Especially, companies must pay within 45 days if there is an agreement, and within 15 days in the absence of such a pact. If they do not meet these deadlines, they can not deduct these expenses for tax purposes. "Our humble request is to consider the export communit

S P Apparels announces acquisition of Young Brand Apparel for Rs 223 cr

This includes the garment unit situated at Palladam of Bannari Amman Spinning Mills, and the land and building situated at SIPCOT

Finance ministry asks banks to expeditiously resolve issues of exporters

The finance ministry on Monday asked banks and insurance companies to expeditiously resolve issues of exporters and facilitate overseas trade. The meeting chaired by Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi was attended by senior officers from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance. They discussed issues faced by exporters and importers. During the meeting, Joshi advised banks to classify issues faced by them in different categories and indicated that they may consider seeking necessary regulatory guidance from the RBI and also develop a standard operating procedure through the Indian Banks Association (IBA), an official statement said. Functionaries of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI), the chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI) and senior executives of major commercial banks were also part of the meeting. Insurance related issues faced by traders were discussed with .

'Date of DBK payment is date of credit to exporter's bank account'

In my opinion, you have to close the EPCG authorisations taken for the capital goods installed in unit 'A' only, the DTA unit that is being converted into EOU

Indian toy manufacturers receive orders worth $10 mn at German fair

Indian toy makers, who have participated in the five-day international toy fair in Germany have received orders worth over USD 10 million as they showcased high-quality products, according to exporters. The exporters said buyers from countries such as the US, the UK, South Africa, and Germany showed interest in their products and placed a good number of orders. There were more than 55 participants from India this year in the Nuremberg fair in Germany, held from January 30 to February 3. Initiatives by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) like mandatory quality norms, increase in custom duty and a National Action Plan on Toys (NAPT), helped in the manufacture of high-quality products that received appreciation at the international platform. "The Indian toy sector is growing at a healthy rate and competing with global players. Among the most popular categories at the fair were those pertaining to wooden toys and educational learning toys," the DPIIT sai

Budget 2024 LIVE news: Auto firms seek continued push for green mobility

Budget LIVE: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the interim budget on February 1, catch all the Budget related updates here

Customs can ask for purchase invoices from exporters claiming DBK, Rodtep

Rule 9 of the Customs and Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules, 2017 and proviso at Para 2(1)(b) of notification no.76/2001-Cus (NT) dated 23rd September 2021 put a cap on the amount of drawback