Executive Summary:
This notification, dated January 7, 2021, amends the import policy and conditions for items classified under Chapters 41 and 43 of the ITC HS, 2017, Schedule Import Policy. It changes the import policy of certain items from "Prohibited" to "Free" and adds new policy conditions related to health protocols for importing hides and skins, or sanitary conditions. These changes are made in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of FT DR Act, 1992.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Import Policy Amendment:**
* The import policy for specific items under Chapter 41 (raw hides and skins, leather) and Chapter 43 (furskins and artificial fur) of ITC HS, 2017, has been amended.
* Certain items previously prohibited for import are now permitted under a "Free" import policy.
* **Specific Items Affected:**
* Exim Code 41133000: Reptile skins.
* Exim Code 43011000: Mink furskins, whole, with or without head, tail, or paws.
* Exim Code 43016000: Fox furskins, whole, with or without head, tail, or paws.
* Exim Code 43018000: Other fur skins, whole, with or without head, tail or paws. Import of fur skin of Chinchilla is Prohibited.
* Exim Code 43021100: Whole skins, with or without head, tail or paws, not assembled of mink.
* **New Policy Conditions:**
* A new Policy Condition No. 4 is added to Chapter 41, and Policy Condition No. 3 to Chapter 43.
* Imports are subject to compliance with health protocols for hides and skins or sanitary conditions prescribed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
* **Legal Basis:**
* The amendment is issued under the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020.
Impact Analysis:
* **Importers of Hides, Skins, and Furs:**
* Impact: Can now import items previously prohibited, but must comply with new health and sanitary conditions.
* Action Required: Familiarize themselves with and adhere to the health protocols/sanitary conditions prescribed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
* **Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying:**
* Impact: Responsible for prescribing and enforcing health protocols and sanitary conditions for the import of hides and skins.
* Action Required: Establish and communicate the required health protocols and sanitary conditions.
* **Customs Authorities:**
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing the new import policies and conditions at the point of entry.
* Action Required: Update procedures to reflect the change from "Prohibited" to "Free" import status for affected items and ensure compliance with health protocols.
* **Wildlife Protection Agencies:**
* Impact: Continued responsibility for ensuring imports comply with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and CITES.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor imports to ensure compliance with existing wildlife protection regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for implementing foreign trade policy.
Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020: The prevailing Foreign Trade Policy governing import and export regulations during the specified period.
FTDR Act, 1992: Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, which confers powers to the Central Government regarding foreign trade.
ITC HS, 2017: Indian Trade Classification (Harmonized System) of Coding, 2017, which is a system for classifying goods for import and export.
Chapter 41: A chapter in the ITC HS, 2017, Schedule Import Policy pertaining to hides and skins.
Chapter 43: A chapter in the ITC HS, 2017, Schedule Import Policy pertaining to furskins and artificial fur.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: An act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1972 for the protection of plants and animal species.
CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement regulating trade in endangered species.
To be published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary Part-II, Section-3, Sub-Section (ii)
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Notification No. 25 /2015-2020
New Delhi, Dated: 7*January, 2021
Subject: Amendment in import policy and condition of items classified under
Chapter 41 & 43 of ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule — | (Import Policy).
S.O. (E): In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of FT (D&R) Act, 1992, read with
paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, as amended from time
to time, the Central Government hereby amends the import policy and conditions of items
under Chapter 41 & 43 of ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule — | (Import Policy).
Exim Code} Item Description |Existing Existing Revised |Revised Policy,
Policy Policy Policy Condition
Condition
41133000 |Of reptiles Prohibited Imports are |Free Imports are
subject to subject to
Wildlife Wildlife
(Protection) (Protection) Act,
Act, 1972 and 1972 and
CITES CITES besides
Policy condition
No. 4 of the
Chapter
143011000 |Of mink, whole,|Prohibited Imports are Free Imports are
with or without subject to subject to
head, tail or paws Wildlife Wildlife
(Protection) (Protection) Act,
Act, 1972 and 1972 and CITES
CITES besides Policy
condition No. 3
lof the Chapter
43016000 |Of fox, whole, with/Prohibited Imports are Free Imports are
ior without head, subject to subject to
tail or paws Wildlife Wildlife
(Protection) (Protection) Act,
Act, 1972 and 1972 and CITES
CITES besides Policy
condition No. 3
lof the Chapterassembled
143018000 |Other fur skins, Imports are Free Imports are
whole, with orHowever, subject to subject to
without head, taillimport of furWildlife Wildlife
lor paws lof ~=Chinchilla|(Protection) (Protection) Act,
is Prohibited. |Act, 1972 and 1972 and CITES
CITES besides Policy
condition No. 3
lof the Chapter
143021100 |Whole skins, with] Prohibited Imports are Imports are
ior without head, subject to subject
: - (Protection) Free
Act, 1972 and
- Of mink CITES
to
tail or paws, not Wildlife Wildlife
(Protection) Act,
1972 and CITES
besides Policy
condition No. 3
lof the Chapter
2. Anew policy condition is added as Policy Condition No.4 in Chapter 41 & Condition
No. 3 in Chapter 43 of ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule — | (Import Policy):
“Imports are subject to compliance with the health protocol for import of
hides and skin or sanitary conditions as may be prescribed from time to time by
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying"
3. Effect of the Notification: Import policy of some items classified under Chapter 41
and 43 of ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule — | (Import Policy) is amended from “prohibited” to
“free” and new policy conditions added to Chapter 41 and 43.
This issues with the approval of Minister of Commerce & Industry.
ce, Mead
(Amit Agro La)
Director General of Foreign Trade &
Ex- officio Addl. Secretary to the Government of India
(F.No. 01/89/180/118/AM-02/PC-2(A)/E-1557)
Note: The principal notification No. 36/2015-2020, dated the 17th January, 2017 was
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide number S.O. 172 (E), dated the 17th
January, 2017.