Executive Summary:
This notification amends the import policy for Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under Chapter 29 and 38 of the ITC HS, 2022, Schedule I Import Policy. It changes the import policy from "Free" to "Restricted," requiring import authorization. The amendment is effective as of March 9, 2022.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Import Policy Amendment:**
* The import policy for specific HS codes under Chapter 29 and 38 of the ITC HS, 2022, Schedule I Import Policy is amended.
* The import policy of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is revised from "Free" to "Restricted".
* **New Policy Conditions:**
* Policy Condition No. 5 is added in Chapter 29.
* Policy Condition No. 6 is added in Chapter 38.
* These conditions state that import of HFCs is permitted with an import authorization, subject to recommendation of Ozone Cell, MoEFCC.
* **Specific HS Codes Affected:**
* Various HS codes under 2903 and 3827 are affected, including those for Trifluoromethane (HFC23), Difluoromethane (HFC32), Fluoromethane (HFC41), Pentafluoroethane (HFC 125), and others.
* Specific HS codes include 29034100, 29034200, 29034300, 29034400, 29034500, 29034600, 29034700, 29034800, 29035100, 38275100, 38275900, 38276100, 38276200, 38276300, 38276400, 38276500, 38276800.
Impact Analysis:
* **Importers of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs):**
* *Impact:* Importation of HFCs is now restricted and requires authorization.
* *Action Required:* Obtain import authorization subject to recommendation of Ozone Cell, MoEFCC.
* **Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing and enforcing the amended import policy.
* *Action Required:* Ensure compliance with the new policy conditions for HFC imports.
* **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) / Ozone Cell:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing recommendations for import authorization of HFCs.
* *Action Required:* Evaluate and provide recommendations on HFC import authorization requests.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: An agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for implementing the Foreign Trade Policy.
Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act, 1992: An act of the Indian Parliament to provide for the development and regulation of foreign trade.
Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020: The import and export policy guidelines and objectives set by the Indian government for a five-year period.
ITC HS, 2022, Schedule I Import Policy: Indian Trade Classification based on Harmonized System of Coding, Schedule I, which pertains to import policies, updated for the year 2022.
Hydrofluorocarbons HFCs: A group of man-made organic compounds that contain fluorine and hydrogen atoms, used as refrigerants and in other applications.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for international trade, industrial policy, and related matters.
Ozone Cell, MoEFCC: A unit within the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for implementing the Montreal Protocol and phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
New Delhi: The capital of India, where this notification was issued.
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. 59 /2015-2020
New Delhi, Dated: 9" March, 2022
Subject: Amendment in import policy and insertion of policy condition under Chapter
29 and 38 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule — I (Import Policy).
S.O. (E): In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign
Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (as amended from time to time) read with
paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, the Central Government
hereby amends the Import Policy and inserts Policy Condition under Chapter 29 and 38 of
ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule — I (Import Policy) for the following HS codes as under:
IHS Code [Item Description [Existing|Existing [Revised [Revised Policy
Import |Policy {Import |Condition
Policy |Condition|Policy
29034100 --Trifluoromethane (HFC-23 ) [Free - IRestricted|Subject to Policy
(Condition No. 5
29034200 -- Difluoromethane (HFC-32) [Free IRestricted|Subject to Policy
Condition No. 5
29034300 |--Fluoromethane (HFC-41), 1,2-Free Restricted|Subject to Policy
difluoroethane . (HFC-152) and| Condition No. 5
1,1-difluoroethane (HFC- 152a)
29034400 - - Pentafluoroethane (HFC- Restricted|Subject to Policy
125), 1,1,1- _ trifluoroethane Condition No. 5
(HFC-143a) and 1,1,2-
Itrifluoroethane (HFC-143)
29034500 |- - 1,1,1,2- Tetrafluoroethane| Restricted|Subject to Policy
(HFC-134a) and 1, 1,2,2- Condition No. 5
tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134)
29034600 |- -- 1,1,1,2,3,3,3- Restricted|Subject to Policy
Heptafluoropropane (HFC- Condition No. 5
227ea),
1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane
(HFC- 236cb), 1,1,1,2,3,3-
lhexafluoropropane (HFC-
236ea) and
1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane
(HF C-236fa)
29034700 |--1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane Restricted|Subject to Policy
(HFC-245fa) and 1,1,2,2,3- Condition No. 5
Ipentafluoropropane (HFC-
245ca)
29034800 |-- _1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluorobutane} Restricted|Subject to Policy
(HFC-365mfc) and Condition No. 5
f$1,1,2,2.3,4,5,5,5-
idecafluoropentane (HFC-43-
10mee)29035100 | - 2,3,3,3- Tetrafluoropropene|Free - IRestricted|Subject to Policy
HFO-1234yf), 1,3,3,3+ Condition No. 5
tetrafluoropropene
(HFO1234ze) and (z)-
1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro2-butene
( HFO-1336mzz)
38275100 \Containing trifluoromethane|Free - IRestricted|/Subject to Policy
(HFC-23) (Condition No. 6
38275900 |Other - Containing otherFree - Restricted|Subject to Policy
lhydrofluorocarbons(HFCs) but Condition No. 6
Inot containing|
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on
lhydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs)
38276100 |- - Containing 15% or more byFree - Restricted|Subject to Policy
Imass of 1,1,1 - trifluoroethane| Condition No. 6
(HFC -143a )
38276200 |- - Other, not included in the sub|Free - Restricted|Subject to Policy
-heading above, containing 55%| Condition No. 6
lor more by mass_ off
lpentafluoroethane (HFC -125 )
but not containing unsaturated
fluorinated = derivatives 0
acyclic hydrocarbons (HFOs)
38276300 |- - Other, not included in the subFree - Restricted|Subject to Policy
Lheadings above, containing| Condition No. 6
40% or more by mass o
entafluoroethane (HFC -125 )
38276400 |- - Other, not included in the sub\Free -
-headings above, containing
30% or more by mass of 1,1,1,2|
- tetrafluoroethane (HFC -134a
IRestricted|Subject to Policy
Condition No. 6
)
but not containing unsaturated
fluorinated derivatives off
lacyclic hydrocarbons (HFOs)
38276500 |- - Other, not included in the subFree - Restricted|Subject to Policy
-headings above, containing Condition No. 6
20% or more by mass of
difluoromethane (HFC -32) and|
20% or more by mass of
entafluoroethane (HFC -125 )
38276800 |Other, not included in the sub-Free - Restricted|Subject to Policy
headings above, containing Condition No. 6
substances of subheadings
29034100 to 29034800
eM A new Policy Condition No. 5 is added in Chapter 29 and Policy Condition No. 6 is
added in Chapter 38 of ITC (HS) 2022, Schedule — I (Import Policy) as under :
“Import of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is permitted with an import authorization
subject to recommendation of Ozone Cell, MoEF&CC”.
as3: Effect of this Notification
Import policy of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has been revised from "Free" to
‘Restricted’ subject to NOC from MoEF&CC.
This issues with the approval of Minister of Commerce and Industry.
(Santosh Kumar Sarangi)
Director General of Foreign Trade
Ex- officio Addl. Secretary to the Government of India
E-mail: dgft@nic.in
(Issued from F. No. 01/89/180/49/AM-10/PC-2[A]/E-1671)