Introduction: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has issued Trade Notice No. 35/2023-24-DGFT dated 05th December, 2023. The notice addresses members of trade and industry, RAs of DGFT, FIEO/EPCs/Chambers of Commerce, providing crucial information on the Amnesty Scheme for the closure of cases of default in Export Obligation (EO) under Advance Authorisation (AA) and EPCG Schemes.
Detailed Analysis: The Amnesty Scheme, initiated through Public Notice No. 02/2023 on 01.04.2023, aims to resolve cases of default in EO under AA and EPCG Schemes. In an important development, the last date for submitting applications under the Amnesty Scheme has been extended until 31.12.2023, as per Public Notice No. 20/2023 dated 30.06.2023.
The notice emphasizes that the Policy Relaxation Committee (PRC)/EPCG Committees review applications on a case-by-case basis, considering individual facts and circumstances. Importantly, it cautions authorization holders against waiting for decisions from these committees. Instead, they are advised to submit their applications for the closure of default in EO under the Amnesty Scheme by the specified date. The pending status of any application for relaxation/clarification will not serve as a basis for relief or extension of the deadline beyond 31.12.2023.
All AA/EPCG authorization holders falling under the purview of the Amnesty scheme are urged to take advantage of this opportunity, as the deadline for filing applications will not be extended beyond 31.12.2023. Regional Authorities and DGFT are also urged to expedite the processing of pending applications filed under the Amnesty Scheme before the specified deadline.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the DGFT’s Trade Notice No. 35/2023-24-DGFT serves as a crucial update for trade and industry stakeholders. The extension of the deadline for the Amnesty Scheme provides a window of opportunity for authorization holders to address default cases under Advance Authorisation and EPCG Schemes. Timely action is recommended to ensure compliance with the extended deadline of 31.12.2023. For further details and application procedures, stakeholders can refer to the official notice issued by the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Mr. Randheep Thakur.
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Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 35/2023-24-DGFT | Dated: 05th December, 2023
To,
Members of Trade and Industry
RAs of DGFT
FIEO/EPCs/Chambers of Commerce
Subject: Amnesty Scheme – Closure of cases of default in Export Obligation under Advance Authorisation and EPCG Schemes where applications have been filed with PRC/EPCG Committee for relaxation in policy/procedure on grounds of genuine hardship/adverse impact on trade.
Sir/Madam,
The Amnesty Scheme for closure of cases of default in Export Obligation (EO) under Advance Authorisation (AA) and EPCG Schemes was notified vide Public Notice No. 02/2023 dated 01.04.2023. The last date for submitting applications under the Amnesty Scheme has been extended till 31.12.2023 vide Public Notice No. 20/2023 dated 30.06.2023.
2. In this context all concerned are informed that Policy Relaxation Committee (PRC)/EPCG Committees consider each application based on individual facts and circumstances oh a case to case basis. Since Policy relaxation is not a matter of right, all such authorisation holders are advised to not wait till their requests are decided by the PRC/EPCG Committees and submit their applications for closure of default in EO under the Amnesty Scheme by the prescribed date of 31.12.2023. Pendency of any application for relaxation/clarification would not form a ground for relief/extension of permissible time period for filing of applications under the Amnesty Scheme beyond the prescribed date.
3. All AA/EPCG authorization holders covered under the Amnesty scheme are requested to avail of the scheme as the last date for filing applications will not be extended beyond 31.12.2023.
4. Regional Authorities, DGFT are also requested to dispose off the pending applications filed under the Amnesty Scheme before 31.12.2023.
5. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Randheep Thakur)
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade
Email id: randheep.thakur@nic.in
(Issued from F. No. 18/15/AM-23/P-5)
