Inclusion of Ports of Import in continuation to Notification No 20 20215 20 dated 24 August 2021 and Notification No 23 2015 20 dated 03 Sept 2021

## Report on Amendment to Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, amending Notification No. 20/2015-20 dated 24.08.2021 regarding the inclusion of additional ports for import. The amendment adds Ghojadanga LCS (INGJXB) and Kolkata Port (INCCU1) as permitted ports for imports under the original notification. This change aims to expand the number of entry points for goods, potentially facilitating trade. All other conditions of the original notification remain unchanged. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an informative overview of an amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, specifically addressing the inclusion of additional ports for import as outlined in the provided notification. The analysis is based solely on the information contained within the given policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy Being Amended:** This notification amends Notification No. 20/2015-20 dated 24.08.2021, as read with Notification No. 23/2015-20 dated 03.09.2021, and Notification No. 25/2015-20 dated 13.09.2021. * **Core Objective(s) (Inferred from Text):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate foreign trade by expanding the infrastructure available for imports by including more ports of entry **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment addresses the need to likely improve trade facilitation by increasing the available ports for import. The addition of new ports suggests a need to perhaps ease congestion or geographical limitations that may have existed with the original list of approved ports or to support trade in regions served by these new ports. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification introduces the following specific changes: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies Para 3 of Notification no. 20/2015-20 dated 24.08.2021. * **New Rule/Provision:** Two new ports are added to the list of ports permitted for import under Notification No. 20/2015-20: * Ghojadanga LCS (INGJXB) * Kolkata Port (INCCU1) * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The effect of this change is to allow importers to utilize Ghojadanga LCS and Kolkata Port for importing goods under the conditions specified in the original notification. The inclusion of these ports could potentially reduce transportation costs and time for businesses operating in or trading with regions served by these ports. All other pre-existing conditions stated in the original notification(s) still apply. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders affected by this amendment are: * Importers and exporters involved in trade through or to the regions served by Ghojadanga LCS and Kolkata Port. * Customs authorities and port officials at Ghojadanga LCS and Kolkata Port. * Businesses involved in logistics and transportation related to import activities. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the responsible body for issuing and administering this amendment. Customs officials at the newly included ports will also play a key role in implementation. * **Timelines or Procedures:** The notification is effective from the date of its issuance (September 25, 2021). No specific implementation timeline is mentioned in the text. The established import procedures under Notification No. 20/2015-20 would presumably extend to the new ports. * **Implementation specific to the changes:** Stakeholders need to familiarize themselves with the inclusion of Ghojadanga LCS and Kolkata Port as valid points of entry. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to: * Facilitate imports by providing additional entry points for goods. * Potentially reduce transportation costs and time for businesses utilizing the newly added ports. * Support trade in regions served by Ghojadanga LCS and Kolkata Port. * Improve overall efficiency of the import process. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, through the inclusion of Ghojadanga LCS and Kolkata Port as permitted ports for imports under Notification No. 20/2015-20, is a significant step towards trade facilitation. This change is likely to benefit businesses engaged in import activities by expanding available infrastructure and potentially reducing costs and time associated with import procedures. The amendment demonstrates the government's ongoing efforts to optimize the foreign trade environment.

Key Entities Referenced