Ab - As 1
Ab - As 1
Ab - As 1
ENR NO : 1900101207
GROUP :B
DATE : 23/03/24
YEAR/SEM : 2ND YR
EXPORT AND IMPORT POLICY
What is EXIM Policy?
The EXIM (Export-Import) Policy contains guidelines governing the imports and
exports of products and services in and out of India. EXIM Policy’s primary
objective is to regulate and develop foreign trade by facilitating imports into
and exports from India.
The Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act, 1992, provides for the
Indian government to announce the EXIM Policy every five years. Each EXIM
Policy announced by the Indian Government is valid for five years, and they can
amend, enhance or add new provisions to the policy every year on 31 March,
taking effect from 1 April.
The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the DGFT, its network of regional
offices and the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, announces
amendments or changes to the EXIM Policy of India.
In 2004, the EXIM Policy was renamed the Foreign Trade Policy to provide a
comprehensive approach to foreign trade in India. The Ministry of Commerce
announced the recent FTP, which came into effect on 1 April 2023. FTP 2023-
2028 seeks to make India an export hub and to integrate India further into
global value chains. It creates an enabling ecosystem for exporters, which aligns
with India’s vision of becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’.
The features of EXIM Policy 2023, effective from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028,
are as follows:
Four new towns, i.e. Mirzapur, Faridabad, Varanasi, and Moradabad, are
designated as Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) along with the existing 39
towns. The TEEs have priority access to export promotion funds under the MAI
(Market Access Initiative) scheme. They can avail of the Common Service
Provider (CSP) benefits under the EPCG scheme for export fulfilment, which
boosts the exports of handicrafts, handlooms, and carpets.
Recognition of Exporters
FTP outlines the roadmap for establishing e-commerce hubs and related
matters, such as bookkeeping, returns policy, payment reconciliation and
export entitlements.
The EPCG scheme, which allows capital goods imports at zero customs duty for
export productions, are being further rationalised. PM MITRA (Prime Minister
Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks) scheme is added as an
additional scheme to claim benefits under the CSP (Common Service Provider)
scheme of EPCG.
Dairy sectors are exempted from maintaining the average export obligation to
support them in upgrading technology. Vertical farming equipment, Battery
Electric Vehicles (BEV) of all types, rainwater harvesting systems and rainwater
filters, wastewater treatment and recycling, and green hydrogen are added to
green technology products and are eligible for reduced export obligation
requirements under the EPCG scheme.
Merchanting Trade
Under the FTP, merchanting trade of prohibited and restricted items is possible.
Merchanting trade involves the shipment of goods from a foreign country to
another foreign country without touching Indian ports by involving an Indian
intermediary. However, it will be subject to compliance with the RBI guidelines
and will not be applicable for items or goods classified in the SCOMET and
CITES list. This will allow Indian entrepreneurs to convert places like GIFT City
into major merchanting hubs, like certain places in Singapore, Dubai and Hong
Kong.
Amnesty Scheme
The government introduced a special one-time Amnesty scheme under the FTP
2023 to address export obligation defaults. This scheme provides relief to
exporters who are not able to meet their obligations under the EPCG and
Advance Authorisation scheme and are burdened by interest costs and high
duty associated with pending cases. The interest payable is capped at 100% of
the exempted duties.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Economic growth may come locally, regionally, and/or internationally. The growth
that results from special economic zones is accomplished by leveraging tax
incentives as a way of attracting foreign dollars through FDI and technological
advancement.
SEZs may increase export levels for the implementing country and other countries
that supply it with intermediate products. However, there is a risk that countries may
abuse the system and use it to retain protectionist barriers in the form of taxes and
fees. SEZs can also create a high level of bureaucracy due to their regulatory
requirements. This can have the effect of funneling money away from the system,
making it less efficient.
Types of SEZs include free-trade zones, industrial parks, and specialized zones.
We go into more detail about these and other types of SEZs below.
While there are benefits for businesses, individuals, or entities operating within
an SEZ, the macroeconomic and socioeconomic benefits for a country using
an SEZ strategy are subject to debate.
History of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
The first SEZs appeared in the late 1950s in industrialized countries. They were
designed to attract foreign investment from multinational corporations. The first was
at Shannon Airport in Clare, Ireland.1 In the 1970s, SEZs were also established in
Latin American and East Asian countries. The most successful SEZs to date have
been in China.
There were more than 7,000 SEZs as of 2022, according to the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development.2 They are found in every part of the
world—notably in developing and transitional economies that use them as a tool for
industrialization.3
• Free-Trade Zone: Free-trade zones are specially secured areas that are
designated for the processing of imported and exported goods. Also called
commercial-free or foreign-trade zones, these areas involve special customs
procedures and duty-free treatment.
• Export Processing Zone: These zones are generally meant for commercial
and industrial exports. The goal is to encourage economic growth through
foreign investment. Export processing zones offer certain benefits, such as
tax and import duty exemptions, and little to no barriers.
• Industrial Park: As the name suggests, industrial areas or parks are
designed to be used for industrial instead of commercial or residential
purposes. Tax-related incentives are common benefits for those that use
these special zones.
• Specialized Zone: Some of the most common uses for these areas include
technology hubs, airport-based zones, and logistics parks.