The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Public Notice No. 63/2004-09 on March 28, 2005, introducing amendments to Paragraph 4.7 of the Handbook of Procedures (Volume I) under the Foreign Trade Policy (2004-09). The changes restrict the issuance of Advance Licences for items without Standard Input Output Norms (SION) based on self-declarations. Specifically, Advance Licences cannot be issued for certain agricultural products, including vegetable oils, oilseeds, cereals, spices, fruits, and vegetables classified under specific chapters of the ITC (HS) book, where duties exceed 30%.
Further, licensing for the export of perfumes, perfumery compounds, and feed ingredients with vitamins under Paragraph 4.7 is prohibited, with applicants directed to use Paragraph 4.4.2 instead. For biotechnology-related items, Advance Licences require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Biotechnology. These amendments aim to enhance regulatory oversight and streamline the licensing process while maintaining compliance with international trade obligations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
PUBLIC NOTICE No. 63 /2004-09
NEW DELHI: the 28th March, 2005
In exercise of powers conferred under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-09, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby makes the following amendment(s) in the Handbook of Procedures (Volume I):
1. In the Handbook of Procedures, Volume 1, 2004-09, as amended, Para 4.7 is amended to read as follows-
“The licensing authority may also issue Advance licences, where SION are not fixed, based on self declaration and an undertaking by the applicant for a final adjustment as per Adhoc/SION fixed by ALC. However, no Advance Licence for import of horn, hoof and other organ of animal, pepper or the categories of agricultural items listed below or for any item for which DGFT may so notify, shall be issued under paragraph 4.7 by the licensing authority.
(i) All vegetable/edible oils classified under Chapter – 15 and all types of oilseeds classified under Chapter – 12 of ITC (HS) book;
(ii) All types of cereals classified under Chapter – 10 of ITC (HS) book;
(iii) All spices having a duty of more than 30%, classified under Chapter-9 and 12 of ITC (HS) book; and
(iv) All types of fruits/vegetables having a duty of more than 30%, classified under Chapter 7 and 8 of ITC (HS) book.
For export of perfumes, perfumery compounds and various feed ingredients containing vitamins, no licence shall be issued under Para 4.7 by the licensing authority and the applicants may apply under Para 4.4.2 of handbook of Procedures, Vol-I. Where export and/or import of biotechnology items are involved, licence under Para 4.7 shall be issued by the licensing authority only on submission of a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Department of Biotechnology.”
This issues in Public interest.
(K.T. Chacko)
Director General of Foreign Trade
(File No: 01/94/180/ 0009/AM05/ PC IV)
