The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued Trade Notice No. 06/2024-25-DGFT, dated June 18, 2024, informing stakeholders about proposed amendments to Appendix-4J of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023. This action follows multiple representations from Export Promotion Councils (EPC) and exporters requesting a review to facilitate exports within a higher trust-based ecosystem. The DGFT is considering revising the export obligation period specified in Appendix-4J. Stakeholders are invited to provide their comments and suggestions on the proposed amendments within 15 days of the notice via email at policy4-dgft@gov.in.
Draft Public Notice Summary: The draft public notice proposes amendments to Appendix-4J of the HBP 2023, under the authority granted by the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. The proposed changes involve updating the export obligation periods for various import items under pre-import conditions, effective immediately upon issuance. Key changes include specifying export obligation periods ranging from 90 days to 18 months for items such as spices, drugs, tea, coconut oil, silk, raw sugar, precious metals, penicillin, natural rubber, fabrics, maize, walnuts, and wheat. The intention is to align the export obligation periods with current trade practices, thereby facilitating smoother export operations.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
Trade Notice No. 06/2024-25-DGFT | Dated: 18th June, 2024
To,
All Stakeholders concerned.
Subject: Amendments in Appendix-4J of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.
Whereas there have been a lot of representations from EPC and exporters regarding review of Appendix 4J of the HBP. This has been requested to facilitate exports and operate within a higher trust based eco-system. This Directorate is proposing a review of export obligation period as mentioned in Appendix -4J.
2. A draft PN in regards is annexed herewith.
3. All stakeholders are advised to provide their comments/suggestions/views with regards to proposed amendments in Appendix-4J of HBP 2023, within 15 days of the issuance of this Trade Notice to e mail id policy4-dgft@gov.in
(K.M. Harilal)
Jt. Director General of Foreign Trade
DGFT Hqrs
Email: km.harilal@nic.in
(Issued from File No.: 01/94/180/075/AM24/PC-4)
Annexure
DRAFT PUBLIC NOTICE
(TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY PART-I
SECTION-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Public Notice No. /2023
New Delhi, Dated: June, 2024
Subject: Amendments in Appendix-4J of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.
In exercise of powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby makes the following amendment in Appendix-4J of the Handbook of Procedures 2023:
1. In the Appendix 4J table, the existing entries are amended to be read as under:
| Serial No. | Import Item(s) | Export Obligation Period with pre-import condition from the date of clearance of each import consignment by Customs Authority |
| 1 | Spices (Subject to Para 4.04 of FTP) | 12 months |
| 2 | Drugs imported from unregistered source (with a specific export order and pre- import condition) | 12 months |
| 3 | Tea | 6 months |
| 4 | Coconut Oil | 6 months |
| 5 | Silk in any form | 12 months |
| 6 | Raw Sugar | 6 months |
| 7 | Precious Metal Gold /Silver /Platinum (Pertains to Gem and Jewellery Sector) | 4 months |
| 8 | Penicillin and its salts [ITC (HS) Code No. 29411010, if imported from unregistered source | 12 months |
| 9 | Natural Rubber | 12 months |
| 10 | Import items (except Shea Nut or Shea Butter) as allowed under notified SION/prior fixation of norms by NC for export of all items covered under Chapter 7 and Chapter 15 of ITC(HS) Classification. | 6 months |
| 11 | Fabrics including interlining under Special Advance Authorization Scheme for export of Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories (Para 4.04A of FTP 2023) | 18 months from the date of issue of Authorisation (not from the date of import) and further extension as allowed in Para 4.40(a), (b), (c) and (e) of HBP) |
| 12. | Maize (ITC HS Code 1005) | 6 months |
| 13. | Walnut in any form | 6 months |
| 14. | Wheat | 6 months |
Effect of the Public Notice: The Export Obligation Period with pre-import condition from the date of clearance of each import consignment by Customs Authority in the existing entries under Appendix-4J stands amended with immediate effect.
APPENDIX –4J
(Please see paragraph 4.40 of HBP)
Export Obligation Period for Specified Inputs with Pre-import Condition under Advance Authorizations
| Serial No. | Import Item(s) | Export Obligation Period with pre-import condition from the date of clearance of each import consignment by Customs Authority |
| 1. | Spice
(a) Pepper; cardamom and chilies for Value Addition purpose like crushing / grinding / sterilisation or for manufacture of oils and oleoresins and not for simple cleaning, grading, repacking etc. |
120 days |
| (a) Spices other than pepper, cardamom and chilies for manufacture of Spice oils, Oleoresin | 12 months | |
| (b) Other than (a) & (b) above. | 90 days | |
| 2. | Drugs imported from unregistered source (with a specific export order and pre-import condition) | 12 months |
| 3. | Tea | 6 months |
| 4. | Coconut Oil | 90 days |
| 5. | Silk in any form | 9 months |
| 6. | Raw Sugar | 6 months |
| 7. | Precious Metal Gold/Silver/Platinum (pertains to Gem and Jewellery Sector) |
120 days |
| 8. | Pencillin and its salts [ITC (HS) Code No. 29411010, if imported from unregistered source] | 12 months |
| 9. | Natural Rubber | 6 months |
| 10. | Import items (except Shea Nut or Shea butter) as allowed under notified SION/prior fixation of norms by NC for export of all items covered under Chapter 7 and Chapter 15 of ITC(HS) Classification. | 90 days |
| 11. | Fabrics including interlining under Special Advance Authorization Scheme for export of Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories (Para 4.04A of FTP 2023) | 18 months from the date of issue of Authorisation (not from the date of import) and further extension as allowed in Para 4.40(a), (b), (c) and (e) of HBP) |
| 12. | Maize (ITC HS Code 1005) | 3 months |
| 13. | Walnut in any form | 6 months |
| 14. | Wheat | 180 days |
