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**Report on Amendments to Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020**
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020, specifically Public Notice No. 16/2015-2020, issued on July 22, 2021. The core purpose of these amendments, based on the document, is to revise the revalidation process for Advance Authorizations issued after August 15, 2020, and to mandate online submission of records related to duty-free imports and utilization under the Advance Authorization and Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) schemes. Key changes include limiting revalidation of Advance Authorizations to a single 12-month period and requiring online filing of relevant records.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide information and analysis regarding the amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, as outlined in Public Notice No. 16/2015-2020, dated July 22, 2021. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the public notice.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* The report analyzes amendments to the existing Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020.
* The core objectives of the amendments, as inferred from the text, are:
* To streamline the revalidation process for Advance Authorizations.
* To enhance transparency and efficiency in record-keeping and submission related to duty-free imports and utilization under the Advance Authorization and DFIA schemes through online submission.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment to Para 4.41 regarding Advance Authorizations suggests a need to adjust the revalidation process. The original policy likely allowed for multiple revalidations or a different revalidation timeframe. The change to a single 12-month revalidation period for authorizations issued after August 15, 2020, may be driven by a desire to expedite trade processes, reduce administrative burden, or address potential misuse of the revalidation mechanism. The amendment to Paras 4.51 and 4.57 suggests that physical submission or other methods of record submission were previously in place. The change to online submission likely aims to improve data management, accessibility, and monitoring of duty-free imports and utilization, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This section focuses specifically on the changes introduced by the amendment text.
* **Amendment to Para 4.41 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2015-2020:**
* **Specific Part Changed:** A new sub-paragraph 'e' is added under Para 4.41.
* **New Rule/Provision:** For Advance Authorizations issued on or after 15.08.2020 and not covered under Para 4.41b, only one revalidation for twelve months from the expiry date is allowed. No further revalidation is permitted. The revalidation provision under Para 4.41c is also not applicable to these authorizations. Applications for revalidation can be submitted online from August 1, 2021.
* **Difference/Effect:** Previously, the policy allowed for two revalidations of 6 months each. This amendment restricts revalidation to a single 12-month period, potentially shortening the total validity period for some Advance Authorizations.
* **Amendment to Paras 4.51 and 4.57 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2015-2020:**
* **Specific Part Changed:** Existing Paras 4.51 and 4.57 are replaced entirely.
* **New Rule/Provision:** Holders of Advance Authorizations and DFIA are required to maintain proper accounts of consumption and utilization of duty-free imported/domestically procured goods. These records, as prescribed in Appendix 4H or 4I, must be filed online with the concerned Regional Authority at the beginning of each licensing year for authorisations redeemed in the previous licensing year. For authorisations issued on or after 13.05.2005, records can be submitted on the DGFT website under Dashboard Repository/CACE Repository. The records must be preserved for at least three years from the date of redemption. DFIA holders must also submit these records online along with requests for bond waiver/transferability.
* **Difference/Effect:** The previous policy likely involved physical submission of these records. This amendment mandates online filing, streamlining the submission process and enabling better tracking and management of the data by the authorities.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes include:
* Holders of Advance Authorizations, particularly those issued on or after August 15, 2020.
* Holders of Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA).
* Regional Authorities involved in foreign trade regulation.
* The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
* Entities involved in import and export activities utilizing these authorization schemes.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the primary responsible body, as it issued the public notice. Regional Authorities are responsible for receiving and processing online submissions.
* **Timelines/procedures:**
* The new revalidation rule for Advance Authorizations applies to authorizations issued on or after August 15, 2020.
* Online revalidation applications can be submitted from August 1, 2021.
* Online submission of records for Paras 4.51 and 4.57 is effective from the date of the public notice (July 22, 2021).
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* The amendment to Para 4.41 is likely intended to:
* Streamline the revalidation process for Advance Authorizations.
* Provide greater clarity and predictability regarding the validity period of authorizations.
* The amendment to Paras 4.51 and 4.57 is likely intended to:
* Improve transparency and accountability in the utilization of duty-free imports and domestically procured goods.
* Enhance data management and monitoring capabilities for the DGFT and Regional Authorities.
* Reduce the administrative burden associated with physical record submission.
* Facilitate easier verification and audit processes.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, as outlined in Public Notice No. 16/2015-2020, introduce significant changes to the revalidation process for Advance Authorizations and the submission of records related to duty-free imports. These changes are expected to streamline procedures, enhance transparency, and improve data management within the foreign trade regulatory framework. The shift to online submission is a key step towards modernizing and digitizing trade processes.
Key Entities Referenced
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020: A trade policy referenced as the basis for the amendments being made.
Director General of Foreign Trade: The entity making the amendments to the Handbook of Procedures.
Handbook of Procedures 2015-2020: A document being amended by the public notice.
Advance Authorizations: Import licenses being modified in terms of revalidation.
Regional Authority: The authority to which online submissions are to be made.
Appendix 4H: Appendix mentioned in the context of maintaining records of consumption and utilization of duty free imported goods.
Appendix 4I: Appendix mentioned in the context of maintaining records of consumption and utilization of duty free imported goods.
DFIA: Original DFIA holder shall maintain a true and proper account of consumption and utilisation free imported domestically procured goods against each authorization as prescribed in Appendix 4H.
Amit Yadav: Director General of Foreign Trade & Ex-Officio Addl. Secy.
New Delhi: Place of Publication, State not available in the document
August 15, 2020: Date from which new rules regarding revalidation of advance authorizations are applicable.
August 1, 2021: Date from which application for revalidation may be submitted online.
May 13, 2005: Date related to when authorization where records are required to be submitted
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
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सी.जी.-डी.एxलxx.-GअID.-E2x2xx0 72021-228416
CG-DL-E-22072021-228416
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग I—खण्ड 1
PART I—Section 1
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
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3995 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I—SEC.1]
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,oa insu vij lfpo[भाग I—खण् ड 1] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(Department of Commerce)
(DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE)
PUBLIC NOTICE
New Delhi, the 22nd July, 2021
No. 16 /2015-2020
Subject: Amendments in Handbook of Procedures 2015-20- reg.
F. No. 01/94/180/492/AM20/PC-4.—In exercise of powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 of the
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade
makes the following amendment in Hand Book of Procedures 2015-20:
(i) Under Para 4.41 of HBP 2015-20, a new sub-para (e) is added, as mentioned below:
4.41 Validity period for import and Revalidation of Authorisation
(e) For Advance Authorizations issued on or after 15.08.2020 and not covered under Para 4.41(b)
above, only one revalidation for twelve months from expiry date shall be allowed. No further
revalidation would be allowed for such authorisations. The provision for revalidation as under Para
4.41(c) shall also not be applicable for such Advance Authorisations. Applications for any such
revalidation may be submitted online to the concerned Regional Authority on or after 01.08.2021.
(ii) Existing Paras 4.51 and Para 4.57 are replaced with the new Paras as mentioned below:
Existing Para New Para
4.51 Maintenance of Proper Accounts 4.51 Maintenance of Proper Accounts
Every Advance Authorisation holder shall maintain Every Advance Authorisation holder shall
a true and proper account of consumption and maintain a true and proper account of consumption
utilisation of duty free imported / domestically and utilisation of duty free imported / domestically
procured goods against each authorisation as procured goods against each authorisation as
prescribed in Appendix 4H or 4I, as applicable. prescribed in Appendix 4H or 4I, as applicable.
These records are required to be sent to the These records are required to be filed online at
concerned Regional Authority at the beginning of the beginning of each licensing year for all those
each licensing year for all those authorisations, authorisations, which have been redeemed in
which have been redeemed in previous licensing previous licensing year. The same may be
year. However, these records in said format are submitted on the DGFT Website under
required to be submitted for authorisations issued Dashboard---- Repository---- CA/CE Repository.
on or after 13-05-2005. Such records should be
preserved for a period of at least three years from
date of redemption.
Existing Para New Para
4.57 Maintenance of proper accounts of import 4.57 Maintenance of proper accounts of
and its utilisation- import and its utilisation-
Original DFIA holder shall maintain a true and Original DFIA holder shall maintain a true and
proper account of consumption and utilisation of duty proper account of consumption and utilisation
free imported / domestically procured goods against of duty free imported / domestically procured
each authorisation as prescribed in Appendix 4H. goods against each authorisation as prescribed
These records are required to be sent to Regional in Appendix 4H. These records are required to4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I—SEC.1]
Authority concerned along with request for bond be filed online to Regional Authority
waiver / redemption / discharge of export obligation / concerned along with request for bond waiver /
transferability. Such records should be preserved for transferability.
a period of at least three years from date of
redemption.
Effect of this Public Notice: With this Public Notice –
i. Para 4.41 of Handbook of Procedures 2015-20 is amended to allow only one revalidation for a
period of 12 months to Advance Authorisations issued on or after 15.08.2020 (instead of 2
revalidation of 6 months each, provided earlier).
ii. Para 4.51 and 4.57 of Handbook of Procedures 2015-20 are amended to allow submission of record
in online mode.
AMIT YADAV, Director General of Foreign Trade
& Ex-Officio Addl. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.