The document outlines India's Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020), specifically focusing on two key schemes: the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and the Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS). MEIS aims to provide rewards to exporters to enhance India's export competitiveness by offsetting infrastructural inefficiencies, while SEIS encourages the export of notified services with transferable duty credit scrips. Both schemes define eligibility criteria, salient features, and specify ineligible categories to ensure targeted support for export growth.

1. FOREIGN TRADE POLICY
2015-20
SCHEMES

2. CONTENTS
EXPORTS FROM INDIA SCHEME
DUTY EXEMPTION/ REMMISION SCHEMES
SCHEMES FOR EXPORTERS OF GEMS & JEWELLERIES
EPCG SCHEME
DEEMED EXPORTS

3. EXPORTS FROM INDIA
SCHEME

4. OBJECTIVE
Main objectective is to provide rewards to exporters
to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated
costs involved.
To provide exporters a level playing field.

5. NATURE OF REWARDS
Duty Credit Scrips shall be granted as rewards under
MEIS and SEIS.
The Duty Credit Scrips and goods imported /
domestically procured against them shall be freely
transferable.

6. MERCHANDISE
EXPORTS FROM INDIA
SCHEME, (MEIS)

7. INTRODUCTION
In the new Foreign Trade Policy-2015-2020,
with effect from 1.4.2015,Merchandise Exports
from India Scheme (in short, also known as
MEIS) has beenannounced by the Government.
It not only replaces five similar incentive
schemesavailable under the Foreign Trade
Policy 2009-2014, but it rationalize the
incentivesunder the erstwhile schemes,
removes various kind of restrictions and
significantlyenlarges the scope of the earlier
schemes. Unlike earlier Schemes, this scheme
hasbeen made applicable to exports made by
SEZ units.

8. SCHEMES REPLACED BY MEIS
(i) Focus Product Scheme (FPS),
(ii) Market Linked Focus Product Scheme
(MLFPS),
(iii) Focus Market Scheme (FMS),
(iv) Agri. Infrastructure Incentive Scrip (AIIS),
(v) Vishesh Krishi Gramin Upaj Yojana (VKGUY).

9. OBJECTIVES OF SCHEME
Objective of Merchandise Exports from India
Scheme (MEIS) is to offset infrastructural
inefficiencies and associated costs involved in
export of goods/products, which are produced
/manufactured in India, especially those having
high export intensity, employment potential
and thereby enhancing India’s export
competitiveness.

10. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE
SCHEME
Grants rewards in the form of Duty Credit Scrip to the
exporter on export of notified goods, which have been
produced/ manufactured in India.
Rewards for export of notified goods to notified markets
payable as percentage of realized FOB value (in free
foreign exchange).
Exports of specified goods through courier or foreign
post office using ecommerce of FOB value upto Rs.25000
per consignment entitled for rewards under the scheme.
In case of value of consignment being more than
Rs.25000/-, benefit is limited on the value of Rs.
25000/- only.
Scrip itself and Goods imported/ domestically procured
against the scrip are freely transferable.

11. Certain specified categories of export or export
goods are not eligible for benefit under the Scheme.
SEZ Units and EOU/STP/BTP/EHTP units not availing
direct tax exemption are also eligible for benefit
under the Scheme.
Scrip can be used for payment of
(i) Customs Duties for import of inputs or goods,
except items listed in Appendix 3A;
(ii) Payment of excise duties on domestic
procurement of inputs or goods, including capital
goods and
(iii)Payment of service tax on procurement of
services (iv) Payment of Customs Duty and fee as per
paragraph 3.18 of this Policy.

12. No conditionality attached to the Scrips issued under
the Scheme.
Different rates have been notified for different
destination countries and different commodities.
Destination countries divided into three groups- (i)
Traditional Market, (ii)emerging & focus market; and
(iii) other markets.

13. EXPORT CATAGORIES/SECTORS NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR DUTY CREDIT SCRIPS
UNDER MEIS
(REF. 3.06 IN FTP)
(i) EOUs / EHTPs / BTPs/ STPs who are availing direct tax benefits /
exemption.
(ii) Supplies made from DTA units to SEZ units
(iii) Export of imported goods covered under paragraph 2.46 of FTP;
(iv) Exports through trans-shipment, meaning thereby exports that
are originating in third country but trans-shipped through India;
(v) Deemed Exports;

14. (vi) SEZ/EOU/EHTP/BPT/FTWZ products exported through
DTA units;
(vii) Items, which are restricted or prohibited for export
under Schedule-2 of Export Policy in ITC (HS), unless
specifically notified in Appendix 3B.
(viii) Service Export.
(ix) Red sanders and beach sand.
(x) Export products which are subject to Minimum export
price or export duty.

15. (xi) Diamond Gold, Silver, Platinum, other precious metal in
any form includingplain and studded jewellery and other
precious and semi-precious stones.
(xii) Ores and concentrates of all types and in all
formations.
(xiii) Cereals of all types.
(xiv) Sugar of all types and all forms.
(xv) Crude/Petroleum oil and crude/primary and base
products of all types and all formulations.

16. (xvi) Export of milk and milk products.
(xvii) Export of Meat and Meat Products.
(xviii) Products wherein precious metal/diamond are used
or Articles which are studded with precious stones.
(xix) Exports made by units in FTWZ.

17. LIST OF ITEMS NOT ALLOWED FOR IMPORT/OR
SCRIPS NOT BE USED FOR
PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS DUTY ON THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS.
(1) Garlic, Peas and all other Vegetables with a Duty of
more than 30% under Chapter 7 of ITC (HS) Classification
of Export and Import items.
(2) Coconut, Areca Nut, Oranges, Lemon, Fresh Grapes,
Apple and Pears and all other fruitswith a Duty of more
than 30% under Chapter 8 of ITC (HS) Classification of
Export and Import items.
(3) All Spices with a Duty of more than 30% under Chapter
9 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import items
(except Cloves)
(4) Tea, Coffee and Pepper as per Chapter 9 of ITC (HS)
Classification of Export and Import items.

18. (5) All Oil Seeds under Chapter 12 of ITC (HS) Classification
of Export and Import items.
(6) Natural Rubber as per Chapter 40 of ITC (HS)
Classification of Export and Import items.
(7) Capital Goods
(i) General-purpose agricultural tractors above 25 HP and
upto 75 HP.
(ii) Stationary Diesel Engines.
(iii) Irrigation pumps.
(iv) Threshers for cereals.
(v) Combine harvesters suitable only for wheat and paddy
crops.

19. NOTIFIED COUNTRY GROUPS
UNDER MEIS
The Country Groups for the purpose of notified
markets are as under:-
Category A: Traditional Markets (30) -
European Union (28), USA,
Canada.
Category B: Emerging & Focus Markets (139),
Africa (55), Latin America and Mexico (45), CIS
countries (12), Turkey and West Asian countries
(13), ASEAN countries (10), Japan, South Korea,
China, Taiwan,
Category C: Other Markets (70).

20. COMMODITIES EXPORTED BY POST /COURIER
THROUGH E-COMMERCE
ELIGIBLE FOR REWARD UNDER THE SCHEME
The following six commodities have been notified for
being eligible for reward under the Scheme:-
(1) Handicraft Items/Products;
(2) Handloom Products;
(3) Books/Periodicals;
(4) Leather Footwear;
(5) Toys; and
(6) Customised Fashion Garments.
The Customized Fashion Garments are garments that are
made on specific request/order of customer and
accordingly tailored/manufactured.

21. PRODUCTS SUPPORTED UNDER
MEIS & LEVEL OF SUPPORT
1.Higher rewards have been granted for the
following category of products:
Agricultural and Village industry products, presently
covered under VKGUY.
Value added and packaged products.
Eco-friendly and green products that create wealth
out of waste from agricultural and other waste
products that generate additional income for the
farmers, while improving the environment.

22. Labour intensive Products with large employment
potential and Products with large number of
producers and /or exporters.
Industrial Products from potential winning sectors.
Hi-tech products with high export earning potential.

23. 2. Markets Supported
Most Agricultural products supported across the
Globe.
Industrial and other products supported in
Traditional and/or Emerging markets only.

24. 3.High potential products not supported earlier:
Support to 852 Tariff lines that fit in the product
criteria but not provided support in the earlier FTP.
Includes lines from Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy
products,Oils meals, Ayush & Herbal Products, Paper,
Paper Board Products.

25. 4. Global support has been granted to the following
category:
Fruits, Flowers, vegetables
Tea Coffee, Spices
Cereals preparation, shellac, Essential oils
Processed foods,
Eco Friendly products that add value to waste
Marine Products
Handloom, Coir, Jute, products and Technical Textiles,
Carpets Handmade.
Other Textile and Readymade garments have been
supported for European Union,
USA, Canada and Japan.
Handicraft, Sports Goods
Furniture, wood articles

26. 5. Support to major markets have been given to the
following product categories
Pharmaceuticals, Herbals, Surgicals
Industrial Machinery, IC Engine, Machine tools, Parts, Auto
Components/Parts
Hand Tools, Pumps of All Types
Automobiles, Two wheelers, Bicycles, Ships, Planes.
Chemicals, Plastics
Rubber, Ceramic and Glass
Leather garments, saddlery items, footwear
Steel furniture, Prefabs, Lighters
Wood , Paper, Stationary
iron, steel, and base metals, products

27. 6. Other sectors supported under MEIS
352 Defence related Product with export of US$ 17.7B consisting
of Core Products (20),
Dual Use products (60), General Purpose products (272).
283 Pharmaceutical products of Bulk Drugs & Drug
Intermediates, Drug
Formulations Biologicals, Herbal, Surgicals, and Vaccines.
96 lines of Environment related Goods, Machinery, and
Equipments.
49 lines where mandatory BIS standards are prescribed.
7 lines of Technical Textiles.

28. 7. Participation in global value chain of the items
falling under the scheme:
1725 lines of Intermediate Goods - These goods
become inputs in the manufacturing of other
countries and will strengthen backward
manufacturing linkages, which is vital for India’s
participation in Global Value Chains.
1109 lines of Capital Goods sector- will also
strengthen Manufacturing Base in India.
1730 lines of Consumer Goods sector- We hope a
quantum jump in export from this sector with
strengthening of Make in India Brand in near future.

29. 8. Technology based analysis:
572 lines-Low skill Technology-intensive
manufacturing.
1010 lines-Medium skill Technology-intensive
manufacturing.
1309 lines-High Skill Technology-intensive
manufacturing.

30. 9.Women Centric Products supported under MEIS
(a) Women workers constitute 52% of plantation
workers-203 lines of Tea, Coffee, Spices, Cashew.

31. (b) 69% of the aggregate female employment is
concentrated in the following sectors:-
(i) Manufacture of other food products -Jelly
Confectionery, tomato ketchup, cooked stuffed pasta,
pawa, mudi and the like, gingerbread ,papad, pastries
and cakes.
(ii) Manufacture of wearing apparel-396 lines of
Readymade Garments

32. (c) Sectors that have a significant proportion of female
employment(more than 25%):-
(i) Agricultural and animal husbandry service activities,
except veterinary activities– 263 lines of basic
Agriculture products.
(ii) Manufacture of footwear – 28 Footwear and Leather
products.
(iii) Consumer Electronics and Electronic Components,
watches and clocks -483lines.

33. SERVICE EXPORT FROM
INDIA SCHEME,
(SEIS)

34. INTRODUCTION
In the new Foreign Trade Policy-2015-2020, with effect
from 1.4.2015, Service Exports from India Scheme (in
short, also known as SEIS) has been announced by the
Government. It not only replaces Served from India
scheme (SFIS) available under the Foreign Trade Policy
20109-2014, but it rationalize the incentives under the
erstwhile schemes, removes various kind of restrictions
of use of scrip issued under the Scheme and significantly
enlarges the scope of the earlier scheme. Unlike earlier
Scheme, this scheme has been made applicable to
exports by SEZ units.
SEIS shall apply to ‘Service Providers located in India’
instead of ‘Indian Service Providers’. Thus SEIS provides
for rewards to all Service providers of notified services,
who are providing services from India, regardless of the
constitution or profile of the service provider. The
present rates of reward are 3% and 5% of net foreign
Exchange Earning.

35. OBJECTIVES
Objective of Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)
is to encourage export of notified Services from India.
This Scheme has been announced on 01.04.2015
under the New Foreign Trade Policy- 2015-2020 and
has come into effect from 1.4.2015. In other words,
the rewards under the scheme are admissible on
exports of notified services rendered on or after
1.4.2015.

36. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE
SCHEME
Apply to ‘Service Providers located in India’ instead of
‘Indian Service Providers’.
Provides for rewards to all Service providers of notified
services, who are providing exporting services from
India, regardless of the constitution or profile ofthe
service provider
Rate of reward under SEIS are based on net foreign
exchange earned.
Reward issued as duty credit scrip is freely transferable
and usable for all types of goods and service tax Debits
on procurement of services / goods.

37. Debits are eligible for CENVAT credit or drawback.
Certain specified categories of services are not eligible for benefit
under the Scheme.
Scrip can be used for payment of
(i) Customs Duties for import of inputs or goods, except items listed
in Appendix 3A;
(ii) Payment of excise duties on domestic procurement of inputs or
goods, including capital goods and
(iii) Payment of service tax on procurement of services
(iv) Payment of Customs Duty and fee as per paragraph 3.18 of this
Policy.
The services and rates of rewards notified are applicable for services
export made between 01.4.2015 to 30.09.2015 only. The list of
services/rate is subject to review with effect from 01.10.2015.

38. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR REWARD UNDER
THE SCHEME
(REF 3.08 OF FTP)
Service Providers of notified services, located in India,
eligible for reward under SEIS, subject to conditions as
may be notified.
Only Services rendered in Mode I: Cross Border Trade i.e.
Supply of a ‘service’ from India to any other country and
Mode-2: Consumption abroadSupply of a service’ from
India to service consumer(s) of any other country only
are eligible.
Supply of service through Mode 3 – Commercial
Presence- i.e.- Supply of a ‘service’ from India through
commercial presence in any other country and Mode 4-
Presence of natural persons i.e. Supply of a ‘service’ from
India through the presence of natural persons in any

39. The notified services and rates of rewards are as per Appendix 3D.
Minimum net free foreign exchange earnings criterion prescribed is
US$15,000 in preceding financial year for eligibility under the Scheme.
For Individual Service Providers and sole proprietorship, such minimum
net free foreign exchange earnings criterion isUS$10,000 in preceding
financial year.
Payment in Indian Rupees for service charges earned on specified
services (listed in Appendix 3E) to be treated as receipt in deemed
foreign exchange.
In case of IEC holder being manufacturer of goods as well as service
provider, then the foreign exchange earnings and Total expenses /
payment / remittances to be taken into account for service sector only.
To claim reward, Service provider is required to have an active IEC at
the time of rendering such services.

40. INELIGIBLE CATEGORIES
UNDER SEIS
Foreign exchange remittances other than those
earned for rendering of notified services would
not be counted for entitlement.
Other sources of foreign exchange earnings
such as equity or debt participation,donations,
receipts of repayment of loans etc. and any
other inflow of foreign exchange, unrelated to
rendering of service, - not eligible for benefit
under the Scheme.

41. Following is not to be considered for calculation of
entitlement under the scheme
(a) Foreign Exchange remittances:
I. Related to Financial Services Sector
(i) Raising of all types of foreign currency Loans;
(ii) Export proceeds realization of clients;
(iii) Issuance of Foreign Equity through ADRs / GDRs or
other similar instruments;
(iv) Issuance of foreign currency Bonds;
(v) Sale of securities and other financial instruments;
(vi) Other receivables not connected with services rendered
by financial institutions.

42. II. Earned through contract/regular employment
abroad (e.g. labour remittances);
(i) Payments for services received from EEFC Account;
(ii) Foreign exchange turnover by Healthcare
Institutions like equity participation, donations etc.
(iii) Foreign exchange turnover by Educational
Institutions like equity participation, donations etc.
(iv) Export turnover relating to services of units
operating under SEZ / EOU/ EHTP / STPI / BTP
Schemes or supplies of services made to such units;

43. LIST OF ITEMS NOT ALLOWED FOR IMPORT/OR
SCRIPS NOT BE USED FOR PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS
DUTY ON SPECIFIED ITEMS
The Scrips issued under the Scrip is not allowed to be used for
payment of duty on import of the following Commodities:
(1) Garlic, Peas and all other Vegetables with a Duty of more than
30% under Chapter 7 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and
Import items.
(2) Coconut, Areca Nut, Oranges, Lemon, Fresh Grapes, Apple and
Pears and all other fruits with a Duty of more than 30% under
Chapter 8 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import items.
(3) All Spices with a Duty of more than 30% under Chapter 9 of ITC
(HS) Classification of Export and Import items (except Cloves)
(4) Tea, Coffee and Pepper as per Chapter 9 of ITC (HS)
Classification of Export and Import items.

44. (5) All Oil Seeds under Chapter 12 of ITC (HS) Classification
of Export and Import items.
(6) Natural Rubber as per Chapter 40 of ITC (HS)
Classification of Export and Import items.
(7) Capital Goods
(i) General-purpose agricultural tractors above 25 HP and
upto 75 HP.
(ii) Stationary Diesel Engines.
(iii) Irrigation pumps.
(iv) Threshers for cereals.
(v) Combine harvesters suitable only for wheat and paddy
crops.
(vi) Animal driven implements.

45. COMMON PROVISIONS FOR
MEIS & SEIS
Transitional Arrangement
CENVAT/ Drawback
Import under lease financing
Transfer of export performance
Facility of payment of custom duties in case of E.O. defaults
and fee through duty credit scrips.
Risk Management System

46. TRANSITIONAL
ARRANGEMENT
For the goods exported or services rendered
upto the date of notification of this Policy,
which were otherwise eligible for issuance of
scrips under erstwhile Chapter 3 of the earlier
Foreign Trade Policy(ies) and scrip is applied /
issued on or after notification of this Policy
against such export of goods or services
rendered, the then prevailing policy and
procedure regarding eligibility, entitlement,
transferability, usage of scrip and any other
condition in force at the time of export of
goods or rendering of the services, shall be
applicable to such scrips.

47. CENVAT/ DRAWBACK
Additional Customs duty/excise duty/Service
Tax paid in cash or through debit under Duty
Credit scrip shall be adjusted as CENVAT Credit
or Duty Drawback asper DoR rules or
notifications. Basic Custom duty paid in cash or
through debit under Duty Credit scrip shall be
adjusted for Duty Drawback as per DoR rules or
notifications.

48. IMPORT UNDER LEASE
FINANCING
Utilization of Duty Credit Scrip shall be
permitted for payment of duty in case of import
of capital goods under lease financing in terms
of provision in paragraph 2.34 of FTP.

49. TRANSFER OF EXPORT
PERFORMANCE
Transfer of export performance from one IEC
holder to another IEC holder shall not be
permitted. Thus, a shipping bill containing
name of applicant shall be counted in export
performance / turnover of applicant only if
export proceeds from overseas are realized in
applicant’s bank account and this shall be
evidenced from e - BRC / FIRC.
However, MEIS, rewards can be claimed either
by the supporting manufacturer (along with
disclaimer from the company / firm who has
realized the foreign exchange directly from
overseas) or by the company/ firm who has

50. FACILITY OF PAYMENT OF CUSTOM DUTIES IN CASE
OF E.O. DEFAULTS AND FEE THROUGH DUTY
CREDIT SCRIPS
Duty Credit Scrip can be utilised / debited for
payment of Custom Duties in case of EO defaults
for Authorizations issued under Chapters 4 and 5 of
this Policy. Such utilization /usage shall be in
respect of those goods which are permitted to be
imported under the respective reward schemes.
However, penalty / interest shall be required to be
paid in cash.
Duty credit scrips can also be used for payment of
composition fee under FTP, for payment of
application fee under FTP, if any and for payment of
value shortfall in EO under para 4.49 of HBP 2015-
20.

51. RISK MANAGEMENT
A Risk Management System shall be in
operation whereby every month Computer
system in DGFT Headquarters, on random
basis, will select 10% of cases for each RA
where scrips have already been issued, under
each scheme. RA in turn may call for original
documents in all such selected cases for further
examination in detail. In case any discrepancy
and/ or over claim is found on such
examination, the applicant shall be under
obligation to rectify such discrepancy and/or
refund over claim in cash with interest at the
rate prescribed under section 28 AA of the
Customs Act 1962, from the date of issue of
scrip in the relevant Head of Account of
Customs within one month. The original holder
of scrip, however, may refund such over claim

52. Regional Authority may ask for original proof of
landing certificate, annexures attached to ANFs or any
other document, which has been uploaded digitally at
any time within three years from the date of issue of
scrip. Failure to submit such documents in original
would make applicant liable to refund the reward
granted along with interest at the rate prescribed
under section 28 AA of the Customs Act 1962, from
the date of issuance of scrip. It would be the
responsibility of applicant to maintain such
documents, certificate etc. for a period of at least
three years from the date of issuance of scrips.

53. STATUS HOLDERS
Business leaders who have excelled in international
trade and have successfully contributed to country’s
foreign trade are proposed to be recognized as Status
Holders and given special treatment and privileges to
facilitate their trade transactions, in order to reduce
their transaction costs and time.
Nomenclature of Export House:
1.One star Export House
2.Two star Export House
3.Three star Export House
4.Four Star Export House
5.Five Star Export House

54. •CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF STATUS HOLDERS HAS BEEN
CHANDED FROM INR TO USD.
Status Catagory
Export Performance FOB / FOR
(as converted) Value (in US $ million)
during current and previous two
years
One star Export House 3
Two star Export House 25
Three star Export House 100
Four Star Export House 500
Five Star Export House 2000

55. Approved Exporter Scheme - Self certification by
Status Holders.
Under this scheme the Manufacturers who are also
star holders can also self certify their products to be
originating from India and take advantages in
different Trade blocks like,
1.PTA
2.FTA
3.CECA-Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreements
4.CEPA-Comprehensive Economic Partnerships
Agreements
They shall be permitted to self-certify the goods as
manufactured as per their Industrial Entrepreneur
Memorandum (IEM) / Industrial Licence (IL)/ Letter of
Intent (LOI).

56. BOOST TO "MAKE IN INDIA"
Reduced Export Obligation (EO) for domestic
procurement under EPCG scheme:
1.Specific Export Obligation under EPCG scheme, in
case capital goods are procured from indigenous
manufacturers, which is currently 90% of the normal
export obligation (6 times at the duty saved amount)
has been reduced to 75%, in order to promote
domestic capital goods manufacturing industry.
2. Higher level of rewards under MEIS for export items
with high domestic content and value addition.

57. DUTY EXEMPTION/ REMMISION
SCHEMES

58. DUTY EXEMPTION/
REMMISION SCHEMES

59. OBJECTIVE
These schemes enable duty free import of
inputs for export production, including
replenishment of input or duty remission.

60. SCHEMES
Duty exemption Schemes
1.Advance Authorisation Scheme (AA)
2.Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA)
Duty Remmision Schemes
1)Duty Drawback (DBK) Scheme,
administered by Department of Revenue.

61. ADVANCE AUTHORISATION
(AA)
Advance Authorisation is issued to allow duty
free import of input, which is physically
incorporated in export product.
In addition, fuel, oil, catalyst which is
consumed / utilised in the process of
production of export product, may also be
allowed.
Allowed for products under:-
1.SION- Standard Input Output Norms
2.On the basis of self declaration as per
paragraph 4.07 of Handbook of Procedures.

62. ELIGIBILITY CONDITION TO OBTAIN
ADVANCE AUTHORISATION FOR ANNUAL
REQUIREMENT
Exporters having past export performance (in
at least preceding two financial years) shall be
entitled for Advance Authorisation for Annual
requirement.
Entitlement in terms of CIF value of imports
shall be upto 300% of the FOB value of physical
export and / or FOR value of deemed export in
preceding financial year or Rs 1 crore,
whichever is higher.

63. ELLIGIBLITY
All Eligible & Non Eligible catagories are been
clearly specified in Appendix 4(c) & 4(D) and in
Chpter 9 & 12 of ITC(HS) Book.
INELLIGIBLE CATAGORIES
Horn, hoof and any other organ of animal
Honey
Rough Marble Blocks/Slabs
Rough Granite
Vitamins except for use in pharmaceutical
industry

64. IMPORTANT POINTS
Non transferable
Validity period for import of Advance Authorisation
shall be 12 months from the date of issue of
Authorisation.
Advance Authorisation shall also be available where
some or all inputs are supplied free of cost to
exporter by foreign buyer. In such cases, notional
value of free of cost input shall be added in the CIF
value of import and FOB value of export for the
purpose of computation of value addition. However,
realization of export proceeds will be equivalent to an
amount excluding notional value of such input.

65. DUTY FREE IMPORT
AUTHORISATION (DFIA)
Duty Free Import Authorisation is issued to allow
duty free import of inputs. In addition, import of oil
and catalyst which is consumed / utilised in the
process of production of export product, may also
be allowed.
Duty Free Import Authorisation shall be exempted
only from payment of Basic Customs Duty.
Additional customs duty/excise duty, being not
exempt, shall be adjusted as CENVAT credit as per
DoR rules.
Drawback as per rate determined and fixed by
Central Excise authority shall be available for duty
paid inputs, whether imported or indigenous, used

66. ELIGIBILITY
Duty Free Import Authorisation shall be issued on
post export basis for products for which Standard
Input Output Norms have been notified.
Application is to be filed with concerned Regional
Authority before effecting export under Duty Free
Import Authorisation.
Merchant Exporter shall be required to mention name
and address of supporting manufacturer of the
export product on the export document viz. Shipping
Bill / Airway Bill / Bill of Export / ARE-1 / ARE-3.

67. IMPORTANT POINTS
Export shall be completed within 12 months from the
date of online filing of application and generation of
file number.
After completion of exports and realization of
proceeds, request for issuance of transferable Duty
Free Import Authorisation may be made to concerned
Regional Authority within a period of twelve months
from the date of export or six months (or additional
time allowed by RBI for realization) from the date of
realization of export proceeds, whichever is later.
While doing export/supply, applicant shall indicate
file number on the export documents viz. Shipping
Bill / Airway Bill/ Bill of Export / ARE-1 / ARE-3,
Central Excise certified Invoice.

68. Separate DFIA shall be issued for each SION and each
port.
Exports under DFIA shall be made from from a single
port as mentioned in paragraph 4.37 of Handbook of
Procedures.
No Duty Free Import Authorisation shall be issued for
an export product where SION prescribes ‘Actual
User’ condition for any input.
Regional Authority shall issue transferable DFIA with
a validity of 12 months from the date of issue. No
further revalidation shall be granted by Regional
Authority.

69. SCHEMES FOR EXPORTERS
OF GEMS
&
JEWELLERS

70. SCHEMES
Advance Procurement / Replenishment of
Precious Metals from Nominated Agencies
Replenishment Authorisation for Gems
Replenishment Authorisation for Consumables
Advance Authorisation for Precious Metals.

71. ADVANCE PROCUREMENT/
REPLENISHMENT OF PRECIOUS METALS
FROM NOMINATED AGENCIES
Exporter of gold / silver / platinum jewellery and
articles there of including mountings and findings
may obtain gold / silver / platinum as an input for
export product from Nominated Agency, in advance
or as replenishment after export in accordance with
the procedure specified in this behalf.

72. REPLENISHMENT
AUTHORISATION FOR GEMS
Exporter may obtain Replenishment
Authorisation for Gems from Regional
Authority in accordance with procedure
specified in Handbook of Procedures.
Replenishment Authorisation for Gems may be
issued against export including that made
against supply by Nominated Agency
(paragraph 4.41 of FTP) and against supply by
foreign buyer (paragraph 4.45 of FTP).
In case of plain or studded gold / silver /
platinum jewellery and articles, value of such
Authorisation shall be determined with
reference to realisation in excess of prescribed
minimum value addition. Replenishment

73. REPLENISHMENT
AUTHORISATION FOR
CONSUMABLES
Replenishment authorization for duty free
import of Consumables, Tools and other items
namely, Tags and labels, Security censor on
card, Staple wire, Poly bag (as notified by
Customs) for Jewellery made out of precious
metals (other than Gold & Platinum) equal to 2%
and for Cut and Polished Diamonds and
Jewellery made out of Gold and Platinum equal
to 1% of FOB value of exports of the preceding
year, may be issued on production of Chartered
Accountant Certificate indicating the export
performance. However, in case of Rhodium
finished Silver jewellery, entitlement will be 3%
of FOB value of exports of such jewellery. This
Authorisation shall be non-transferable and

74. ADVANCE AUTHORISATION FOR
PRECIOUS METALS.
Advance Authorisation shall be granted on pre-
import basis with ‘Actual User’ condition for duty free
import of:-
1.Gold of fineness not less than 0.995 and mountings,
sockets, frames and findings of 8 carats and above.
2.Silver of fineness not less than 0.995 and
mountings, sockets, frames and findings containing
more than 50% silver by weight.
3.Platinum of fineness not less than 0.900 and
mountings, sockets, frames and findings containing
more than 50% platinum by weight.
Advance Authorization shall carry an export

75. IMPORTANT POINTS
Duty Free Import Authorisation scheme shall
not be available for Gems and Jewellery sector.
Exporters may obtain gold / silver / platinum
from Nominated Agency. Exporter in EOU and
units in SEZ would be governed by the
respective provisions of Chapter-6 of FTP / SEZ
Rules, respectively.
Nominated Agencies are MMTC Ltd, The
Handicraft and Handlooms Exports Corporation
of India Ltd, The State Trading Corporation of
India Ltd, PEC Ltd, STCL Ltd, MSTC Ltd, and
Diamond India Limited

76. Four Star Export House from Gems & Jewellery sector
and Five Star Export House from any sector may be
recognized as Nominated Agency by Regional
Authority.
Reserve Bank of India can authorize any bank as
Nominated Agency.
Procedure for import of precious metal by Nominated
Agency (other than those authorized by Reserve Bank
of India and the Gems & Jewellery units operating
under EOU and SEZ schemes) and the monitoring
mechanism thereof shall be as per the provisions laid
down in Hand Book of Procedures.
A bank authorised by Reserve Bank of India is allowed
export of gold scrap for refining and import standard
gold bars as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines.

77. An exporter (with annual export turnover of Rs 5
crores for each of the last three years) may export cut
& polished diamonds (each of 0.25 carat or above) to
any of the agencies/laboratories mentioned under
paragraph 4.74 of Handbook of Procedures with re-
import facility at zero duty within 3 months from the
date of export. Such facility of re-import at zero duty
will be subject to guidelines issued by Central Board
of Customs & Excise, Department of Revenue.
Export of jewellery through Foreign Post Office
including via Speed Post is allowed. The jewellery
parcel shall not exceed 20 kgs by weight.
Private / Public Bonded Warehouses may be set up in
SEZ/DTA for import and re-export of cut and
polished diamonds, cut and polished coloured
gemstones, uncut & unset precious & semi-precious
stones, subject to achievement of minimum value
addition of 5% by DTA units.

78. EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL
GOODS
(EPCG)
SCHEME

79. OBJECTIVE
The objective of the EPCG Scheme is to facilitate import of
capital goods for producing quality goods and services to
enhance India’s export competitiveness.

80. EPCG SCHEME
EPCG Scheme allows import of capital goods
for pre-production, production and post-
production at Zero customs duty.
Alternatively, the Authorisation holder may also
procure Capital Goods from indigenous sources
in accordance with provisions of paragraph
5.07 of FTP.

81. IMPORTANT POINTS
Capital goods for the purpose of the EPCG scheme
shall include:
(i) Capital Goods as defined in Chapter 9 including in
CKD/SKD condition thereof;
(ii) Computer software systems;
(iii) Spares, moulds, dies, jigs, fixtures, tools &
refractories for initial lining and spare refractories;
and
(iv) catalysts for initial charge plus one subsequent
charge.
Import of capital goods for Project Imports notified by
Central Board of Excise and Customs is also

82. Import under EPCG Scheme shall be subject to an
export obligation equivalent to 6 times of duty saved
on capital goods, to be fulfilled in 6 years reckoned
from date of issue of Authorisation.
Authorisation shall be valid for import for 18 months
from the date of issue of Authorisation. Revalidation
of EPCG Authorisation shall not be permitted.
In case countervailing duty (CVD) is paid in cash on
imports under EPCG, incidence of CVD would not be
taken for computation of net duty saved, provided
CENVAT is not availed.
Second hand capital goods shall not be permitted to
be imported under EPCG Scheme.

83. Authorisation under EPCG Scheme shall not be issued
for import of any Capital Goods (including Captive
plants and Power Generator Sets of any kind) for
1.Export of electrical energy (power)
2.Supply of electrical energy (power) under deemed
exports
3.Use of power (energy) in their own unit,
4.Supply/export of electricity transmission services
Import of items which are restricted for import shall
be permitted under EPCG Scheme only after approval
from Exim Facilitation Committee (EFC) at DGFT
Headquarters.

84. If the goods proposed to be exported under EPCG
authorisation are restricted for export, the EPCG
authorisation shall be issued only after approval for
issuance of export authorisation from Exim
Facilitation Committee at DGFT Headquarters.
Import of capital goods shall be subject to Actual
User condition till export obligation is completed.
Shipments under Advance Authorisation, DFIA,
Drawback scheme or reward schemes under Chapter
3 of FTP; would also count for fulfillment of EO under
EPCG Scheme.
Export shall be physical export.
Royalty payments received by the Authorisation
holder in freely convertible currency and foreign
exchange received for R&D services shall also be
counted for discharge under EPCG.

85. Payment received in rupee terms for such Services as
notified in Appendix 3E shall also be counted towards
discharge of export obligation under the EPCG
scheme.

86. POST EXPORT EPCG DUTY
CREDIT SCRIP(S)
Post Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s) shall be
available to exporters who intend to import capital
goods on full payment of applicable duties in cash
and choose to opt for this scheme.
Basic Customs duty paid on Capital Goods shall be
remitted in the form of freely transferable duty credit
scrip(s), similar to those issued under Chapter 3 of
FTP.
Specific EO shall be 85% of the applicable specific EO
under the EPCG Scheme. However, average EO shall
remain unchanged.
Duty remission shall be in proportion to the EO
fulfilled.

87. All provisions for utilization of scrips issued under
Chapter 3 of FTP shall also be applicable to Post
Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip (s).
All provisions of the existing EPCG Scheme shall apply
insofar as they are not inconsistent with this scheme.

88. DEEMED EXPORTS

89. OBJECTIVE
To provide a level-playing field to domestic
manufacturers in certain specified cases, as
may be decided by the Government from time
to time.

90. DEEMED EXPORTS
“Deemed Exports” refer to those transactions in which
goods supplied do not leave country, and payment
for such supplies is received either in Indian rupees
or in free foreign exchange.

91. CATEGORIES OF SUPPLY
Supply of goods under following categories (a) to (d)
by a manufacturer and under categories (e) to (h) by
main / sub-contractors shall be regarded as “Deemed
Exports”

92. BENEFITS FOR DEEMED
EXPORTS
Deemed exports shall be eligible for any / all of
following benefits in respect of manufacture
and supply of goods, qualifying as deemed
exports,
1.Advance Authorisation / Advance
Authorisation for annual requirement / DFIA.
2.Deemed Export Drawback.
3.Refund of terminal excise duty, if exemption
is not available.

93. NEW INITIATIVES FOR EOUS,
EHTPS AND STPS

94. EOUs, EHTPs, STPs have been allowed to share
infrastructural facilities among themselves. This will
enable units to utilize their infrastructural facilities in
an optimum way and avoid duplication of efforts and
cost to create separate infrastructural facilities in
different units.
Inter unit transfer of goods and services have been
allowed among EOUs, EHTPs, STPs, and BTPs. This will
facilitate group of those units which source inputs
centrally in order to obtain bulk discount. This will
reduce cost of transportation, other logistic costs and
result in maintaining effective supply chain.
EOUs have been allowed facility to set up Warehouses
near the port of export. This will help in reducing
lead time for delivery of goods and will also address
the issue of un-predictability of supply orders.

95. STP units, EHTP units, software EOUs have been
allowed the facility to use all duty free
equipment/goods for training purposes. This will
help these units in developing skills of their
employees.
100% EOU units have been allowed facility of supply
of spares/ components up to 2% of the value of the
manufactured articles to a buyer in domestic market
for the purpose of after sale services.
At present, in a period of 5 years EOU units have to
achieve Positive Net Foreign Exchange Earning (NEE)
cumulatively. Because of adverse market condition or
any ground of genuine hardship, then such period of
5 years for NFE completion can be extended by one
year.

96. Time period for validity of Letter of Permission (LOP)
for EOUs/EHTP/ STPI/BTP Units has been revised for
faster implementation and monitoring of projects.
Now, LOP will have an initial validity of 2 years to
enable the unit to construct the plant and install the
machinery. Further extension can be granted by the
Development Commissioner up to one year.
Extension beyond 3 years of the validity of LOP, can
be granted, in case unit has completed 2/3rd of
activities, including the construction activities.
At present, EOUs/EHTP/STPI units are permitted to
transfer capital goods to other EOUs, EHTPs, STPs,
SEZ units. Now a facility has been provided that if
such transferred capital goods are rejected by the
recipient, then the same can be returned to the
supplying unit, without payment of duty.

97. EOUs having physical export turnover of Rs.10 crore
and above, have been allowed the facility of fast track
clearances of import and domestic procurement. They
will be allowed fast tract clearances of goods, for
export production, on the basis of pre-authenticated
procurement certificate, issued by customs / central
excise authorities. They will not have to seek
procurement permission for every import
consignment.

98. M V S SAI HEMANT