Some of the Important Announcements made by the DGFT, Government of India during September, 2003

Public Notice No.24 dated 10th September 2003 revise the DEPB value cap of entry at Sl. No. 573 – Product Group Engineering (Code 61) in Schedule of DEPB Rates, from Rs.30.oo/Kg. to Rs. 56.oo/Kg.
The said Public Notice No.24 also announce DEPB @ 8% for export product 3, 4 Dichloro Aniline under Product Group Chemical (Code 62) by inserting new entry Sl. NO.993 in Schedule of DEPB Rates.
In respect of Advance Licences for Drugs, Public Notice No.25 dated 17th September 2003 allows fulfillment of export obligation within a period of six months recokened from the date of import of 1st consignment.
As per the amendments made in Para 5.3 of HBP vide Public Notice No.26 dated 30th September, 2003 in respect of EPCG licences for duty saved upto Rs. 50 crores, final fixation of nexus will now by done by the RLA. This is further decentralization of decision making as earlier Hqrs. EPCG Committee use to fix the nexus. For cases wherein duty saved amount is above Rs. 50 crores, concerned RLAs will issue the EPCG licence on the basis of recommendation of Hqrs. EPCG Committee which also fix the nexus in these cases.

The said Public Notice No.26 also amends Para 5.3.1 of HBP clarifying that the competent authorities will finalise the nexus within 2 months on the basis of the Chartered Engineer’s Certificate and on the basis of EPCG nexus norms maintained by them. Accordingly, a Chartered Engineer’s Certificate will also accompany the EPCG Licence application.
Policy Circular No.15 dated 17th September, 2003 clarifying applicability of Policy Circular No.9 dated 30.6.2003 regarding import of drugs. It makes clear
1. that the Policy Circular No.9 is applicable to all drugs
2. that exemption from registration still be applicable only to advance licences issued under Policy Circular No.9 dated 30.6.2003.
3. that the circular is not applicable to Advance Licence for deemed export, advance licence for annual requirement, DFRC & DEPB.
4. that Export Obligation period shall be fulfilled within a period of 6 months from the date of import of the consignment (and not from date of issue of licence). Further extension under Para 4.22.1 of Hand Book of Procedures shall however be applicable.
Policy Circular No.16 dated 29th September, 2003 clarifies that import of second hand personnel computer/laptop will be governed by the provisions of 2.17 of the Exim Policy and their imports will also not be permitted under EPCG scheme.