In a significant development, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, has issued Notification No. 40/2023-DGFT dated 26th October, 2023. This notification pertains to an amendment in Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 15 of ITC (HS) 2022, Schedule – I (Import Policy). This change has implications for the import of various vegetable oils.
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, with the authority granted by Section 3 and Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, and in line with the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, has introduced a modification to the Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 15 of ITC (HS) 2022, Schedule – I (Import Policy).
Previously, the policy conditions specified that certain oils were freely importable, except for a few exceptions, and the details were available on the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) website. The new amendment, however, simplifies this by stating that all vegetable oils, refined vegetable oils, and solvent-extracted oils complying with the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, are freely importable, unless otherwise specified.
This modification simplifies the import policy for vegetable oils and brings it in line with the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations.
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MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(Department of Commerce)
(DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE)
Notification No. 40/2023-DGFT | Dated: 26th October, 2023
Subject: Amendment in Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 15 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule – I (Import Policy).
S.O. 4692(E).—In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (22 of 1992), and read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby amends the Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 15 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule – I (Import Policy) as under:
|
Existing Policy Condition |
Revised Policy Condition |
| All Oils which are included in the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 as also all solvent extracted Oils conforming to the standards specified in the Third Schedule of Solvent Extracted Oil, Deoiled Meal and Edible Flour Control Order, 1967 (details can be accessed from website: http://fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/solvent_Extrac ted.pdf) except coconut oil, RBD palm oil, RBD palm stearin and palm kernel oil are freely importable. Import of coconut/copra oil is permitted through State Trading Enterprises. | All Vegetable Oils/ Refined Vegetable Oils/ Solvent extracted Oils specified in Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 (made under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006) and conforming to standards specified in these regulations are freely importable except where otherwise stated. Import of coconut/copra oil is permitted through State Trading Enterprises. |
2. Effect of the Notification: Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 15 of ITC (HS), 2022 is updated in reference to FSSAI Regulations.
This issues with the approval of Minister of Commerce & Industry.
[F.No.01/89/1 80/Misc-52/AM-06!PC-2(A)/Part-I./E-1 9847]
SANTOSH KUMAR SARANGI, Director General of Foreign Trade & Ex- officio Addl. Secy.
