Latest news with #DGFT
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
37 exotic reptiles deported from airport for violations
1 2 Hyderabad: The Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS), Hyderabad, deported 37 live exotic animals, including snakes and turtles, to Thailand on Saturday after they were brought into India without valid permits. According to a deportation order issued on May 30, the consignment arrived from Bangkok to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad, in Hyderabad. The shipment, brought in by two individuals — Shaikh Najmuddin Iqbal and Shaikh Altaf Ali Jahid Ali — lacked mandatory no-objection certificates, DGFT licenses, or permissions required under Indian law. The AQCS acted based on an alert from the customs department and identified the illegal entry of these wild animals, which included 28 red-tailed bamboo pit vipers (Trimeresurus erythrurus), six four-eyed turtles (Sacalia quadriocellata), and three spider-tailed horned vipers (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides). Of these, the turtles and the horned vipers are listed under Appendix-II of the CITES agreement and Schedule-IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, while the pit vipers are covered under Schedule-II, which includes all species of Viperidae family. The AQCS order stated that the deportation was essential to safeguard national livestock health and ensure compliance with rules. The cost of deportation was directed to be borne by the owners or concerned airline. IndiGo airlines was instructed to carry out the deportation and report compliance to AQCS. The action was formally endorsed by Dr Sonia Sharma, joint commissioner, AQCS Hyderabad. The notice was also copied to superintendent of customs, air intelligence unit at RGIA, deputy commissioner (trade) in the ministry of fisheries and animal husbandry in New Delhi, and concerned airlines
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Govt extends duty-free import window for yellow peas till March 2026
The Centre on Saturday extended the duty-free import window for yellow peas until 31 March 2026, aiming to stabilise domestic pulse prices and ensure adequate supply. The extension, notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), permits importers to bring in yellow peas without the minimum import price (MIP) condition or port restrictions, provided the bill of lading is dated on or before the new deadline. The liberalised policy is expected to help manage price volatility in the pulses market, particularly as tur and other key pulses continue to face supply constraints. The earlier policy was valid until 31 May 2025. With this extension, the government maintains its calibrated approach to easing import restrictions on select pulses to bridge domestic demand-supply gaps. All imports under this provision will require registration under the online Import Monitoring System, which remains a mandatory compliance requirement. The decision has been taken under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, and has received the approval of the minister of commerce and industry. The move is likely to ease price pressures ahead of the festive season in major consuming states, according to traders familiar with the matter. It is also expected to benefit pulse processors and millers by ensuring continued access to overseas yellow pea supplies without regulatory hurdles. The government has previously issued a series of notifications to adjust the import policy for yellow peas, including those dated 8 December 2023, 23 February 2024, 5 April 2024, 8 May 2024, 13 September 2024, 24 December 2024, and most recently, 10 March 2025. The latest extension signals a continued intent to retain flexibility in agricultural imports in response to shifting domestic needs. Bimal Kothari, chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), criticised the government's decision to extend the duty-free import period for yellow peas, saying it could have adverse effects on Indian farmers. 'Allowing imports for such a prolonged period will discourage farmers who cultivate chana from expanding their cultivation area,' Kothari said. He warned that this move could undermine the government's goal of making India self-reliant in pulses by reducing incentives for domestic production growth. The government has launched a mission for atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in pulses, with an outlay of ₹ 1,000 crore over the next six years. As of 31 May, the average retail price of chana dal stood at ₹ 86.26 per kg, compared to ₹ 86.12 per kg a year earlier.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt set to relax rules under Advance Authorisation scheme for exporters
Exporters may no longer be denied duty-free import benefits under the Advance Authorisation (AA) scheme simply because their goods were shipped before the licence was issued, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Advance Authorisation scheme allows exporters to import inputs—such as raw materials, components or chemicals—without paying customs duty, on the condition that these will be used to manufacture products for export. The scheme is a key tool to make Indian exports competitive by reducing input costs. 'Even if goods have already been shipped or have arrived in India, they can still be cleared under an Advance Authorisation granted later by DGFT—provided the importer files the Bill of Entry after the licence date. However, this relaxation won't apply to restricted goods or products that can only be imported through designated government agencies, unless DGFT gives special permission,' a senior government official said, requesting anonymity. Until recently, as per sources, field formations of customs, particularly following objections raised by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Ludhiana, had taken a strict view that if the shipment left the foreign port before the date on which the AA licence was granted, the benefit of duty exemption should not be available—even if the goods were cleared through customs later. However, after several industry bodies flagged concerns over unnecessary disputes and procedural delays, the authorities have decided that the relevant date for eligibility under the AA scheme is the date of filing the Bill of Entry—this is a legal customs document submitted to Indian Customs to get the goods cleared—that is, when the goods are cleared through Indian customs, not the date of shipment from the foreign country, another official added. An email sent to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which administers the AA scheme, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), remained unanswered till the publishing of this article.
Fibre2Fashion
27-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
India eases export norms for leather sector to boost competitiveness
In a move aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and reducing compliance burdens, India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced major procedural relaxations for leather exporters. Through Notification No. 15/2025-26 dated May 26, 2026, the DGFT has lifted port restrictions, permitting the export of finished leather, wet blue leather, and EI tanned leather from all ports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs). Previously, such exports were allowed only from specified ports. India's DGFT has removed key procedural hurdles for leather exporters. Exports of finished, wet blue, and EI tanned leather are now allowed from all ports and ICDs, and CLRI testing requirements have been scrapped. The move aims to reduce compliance costs, benefit MSMEs, and boost India's export competitiveness in the global leather market following stakeholder consultations. Additionally, the mandatory testing and certification requirement by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for exporting various processed leather categories has been scrapped. These measures, initially introduced to differentiate between raw and value-added leather, have been deemed redundant following the removal of export duties and clearer distinctions in product types. The decision, made after consultations with the Council for Leather Exports, CLRI, and key stakeholders, is expected to streamline procedures, lower transaction costs, and particularly benefit MSME exporters. It also aligns with India's goal of strengthening its position in the global leather value chain. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Mint
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Govt removes key leather export hurdles; port restrictions, CLRI testing scrapped
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has removed key restrictions on leather exports to make the process easier and faster. Finished leather, wet blue leather, and El tanned leather can be exported from any port or Inland Container Depot (ICD), as per a government notification. Also, the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) has eliminated the mandatory testing and certification for these products, as per the DGFT order. Earlier, exporters could only ship these leather products through a few select ports, and CLRI had to clear all shipments to confirm they were processed leather, not raw hides or other materials. But since export duties were removed and it's now easier to distinguish processed leather from raw material, the government decided that these checks were no longer needed. This change is aimed at helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which often faced higher costs and delays because of port limits and testing requirements. Industry groups like the Council for Leather Exports and the CLRI were consulted before this decision. Exporters have long said these rules added costs and slowed shipments without improving quality or compliance. 'This is a big relief for leather exporters and MSMEs operating from smaller ports or industrial areas. It will reduce costs, simplify paperwork, and help India stay competitive in the global leather market,' said Vinod Kumar, president of the India SME Forum. General customs rules will still apply to ensure quality and traceability, but removing the special testing will speed up exports. As per the notification, this fits the government's goal of making exporting easier and boosting India's trade. India is one of the top exporters of value-added leather products worldwide, and this move is expected to boost the sector as global supply chains change. Exporters sending goods to the US—one of India's biggest markets for leather products—stand to gain the most. Faster clearances and fewer rules will help Indian exporters meet US demand quickly, lower costs, and compete better with other countries. India's leather and leather product exports have shown strong growth in recent years, rising from $2.91 billion in FY23 to $4.28 billion in FY24, and reaching $4.36 billion in FY25, according to commerce ministry data. US remains one of the largest markets for these products, with exports valued at $948.47 million in FY25, up from $835.54 million in FY24, though slightly lower than the $1.09 billion recorded in FY23. This trend highlights the sector's growing global demand and the potential benefits of the government's latest move to ease export restrictions and cut compliance costs.
