Amendment in Export Policy of Betel Leaves

## Report on Amendment to Export Policy of Betel Leaves **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the export policy of betel leaves, as detailed in Notification No. 30/2015-2020, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on September 23, 2021. The core purpose of this amendment is to change the designated competent authority for registration required for exporting betel leaves to the European Union. Specifically, it shifts responsibility from APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) to SHEFEXIL (Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council). The key finding is that exporters to the EU must now register with SHEFEXIL for health certificate issuance. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview of the amendment to the export policy of betel leaves, as published in the Gazette of India on September 23, 2021. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text and aims to inform stakeholders about the changes and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report analyzes an amendment to the existing Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective of the *amendment*, based on the provided text, is to modify the regulatory framework surrounding the export of betel leaves to the European Union by altering the designated competent authority for health certificate issuance. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment suggests a need to streamline or optimize the export process of betel leaves to the European Union. The provided text does not explicitly state the reason for the change, but it can be inferred that there might have been inefficiencies, overlaps in responsibilities, or strategic decisions to consolidate authority within SHEFEXIL for health certification of Betel Leaves exports to the EU. The change may be designed to improve efficiency or align the certification process with specific industry expertise. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendment: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies the "Condition" column related to ITC HS Code 14049040 (Betel Leaves) in Chapter 14 of Schedule 2 of ITC HS Export Policy. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amended policy states that "Export to European Union is permitted subject to registration with SHEFEXIL, the designated Competent Authority for issuance of health certificate." * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The primary effect of this change is to replace APEDA with SHEFEXIL as the competent authority for the registration process required for betel leaf exports to the European Union. Exporters who were previously registered with APEDA for this purpose now need to register with SHEFEXIL. The location of the "issuance of health certificate" is also moved from APEDA to SHEFEXIL, **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders affected by this amendment are: * Exporters of betel leaves to the European Union. * APEDA (as their role in this specific certification process is reduced). * SHEFEXIL (as they now assume responsibility for registration and health certificate issuance for betel leaf exports to the EU). * Relevant government agencies involved in trade regulation and export promotion. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** SHEFEXIL is the primary responsible body for implementing the new registration process and health certificate issuance. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The text does not specify any timelines or procedures. However, exporters need to establish a registration relationship with SHEFEXIL to continue exporting to the EU. * **Implementation Aspects Specific to Changes:** Exporters must register with SHEFEXIL instead of APEDA to comply with export regulations to the EU. APEDA must cease its registration and certification role and transfer responsibility to SHEFEXIL for betel leaves. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is: * A potentially more streamlined or efficient registration and health certification process for betel leaf exports to the EU. The impact of the amendment itself should cause minimal disruption, assuming SHEFEXIL is well-prepared to handle the additional responsibility. A focus on a smoother transition to minimize any negative effects on EU exports. * A more specialized or focused approach to export certification, assuming SHEFEXIL has specific expertise relevant to Betel Leaves or the EU market. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the export policy of betel leaves, effective September 23, 2021, shifts the responsibility for registration and health certificate issuance for exports to the European Union from APEDA to SHEFEXIL. This change necessitates that exporters register with SHEFEXIL to continue exporting to the EU and will streamline the exports of Betel Leaves. This change will lead to a smoother process for trade.

Key Entities Referenced