HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FOREIGN TRADE POLICY 2015-2020

Following are Highlights of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 for Trade Facilitation & Ease of doing business in India:

Online filing of documents/ applications and Paperless trade in 24×7 environment:

• DGFT already provides facility of Online filing of various applications under FTP by the exporters/importers. However, certain documents like Certificates issued by Chartered Accountants/ Company Secretary / Cost Accountant etc. have to be filed in physical forms only. In order to move further towards paperless processing of reward schemes, it has been decided to develop an online procedure to upload digitally signed documents by Chartered Accountant / Company Secretary / Cost Accountant. In the new system, it will be possible to upload online documents like annexure attached to ANF 3B, ANF 3C and ANF 3D, which are at present signed by these signatories and submitted physically.

• Henceforth, hardcopies of applications and specified documents would not be required to be submitted to RA, saving paper as well as cost and time for the exporters. To start with, applications under Chapter 3 & 4 of FTP are being covered (which account for nearly 70% of total applications in DGFT).

• As a measure of ease of doing business, landing documents of export consignment as proofs for notified market can be digitally uploaded in the following manner:-

1. Any exporter may upload the scanned copy of Bill of Entry under his digital signature.

2. Status holders falling in the category of Three Star, Four Star or Five Star Export House may upload scanned copies of documents.

Online inter-ministerial consultations:

It is proposed to have Online inter-ministerial consultations for approval of export of SCOMET items, Norms fixation, Import Authorisations, Export Authorisation, in a phased manner, with the objective to reduce time for approval. As a result, there would not be any need to submit hard copies of documents for these purposes by the exporters.

Simplification of procedures/processes, digitisation and e-governance

1. Under EPCG scheme, obtaining and submitting a certificate from an independent Chartered Engineer, confirming the use of spares, tools, refractory and catalysts imported for final redemption of EPCG authorizations has been dispensed with.

2. At present, the EPCG Authorisation holders are required to maintain records for 3 years after redemption of Authorisations. Now the EPCG Authorization Holders shall be required to maintain records for a period of two years only. Government’s endeavour is to gradually phase out this requirement as the relevant records such as Shipping Bills, e-BRC are likely to be available in electronic mode which can be archived and retrieved whenever required.

3. Exporter Importer Profile: Facility has been created to upload documents in Exporter/Importer Profile. There will be no need to submit copies of permanent records/ documents (e.g. IEC, Manufacturing licence, RCMC, PAN etc.) repeatedly with each application, once uploaded.

4. Communication with Exporters/Importers: Certain information, like mobile number, e-mail address etc. has been added as mandatory fields, in IEC data base. This information once provided by exporters, would help in better communication with exporters. SMS/ email would be sent to exporters to inform them about issuance of authorisations or status of their applications.

5. Online message exchange with CBDT and MCA: It has been decided to have on line message exchange with CBDT for PAN data and with Ministry of Corporate Affairs for CIN and DIN data. This integration would obviate the need for seeking information from IEC holders for subsequent amendments/ updation of data in IEC data base.

6. Communication with Committees of DGFT: For faster and paperless communication with various committees of DGFT, dedicated e-mail addresses have been provided to each Norms Committee, Import Committee and Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency for faster communication.

7. Online applications for refunds: Online filing of application for refund of TED is being introduced for which a new ANF has been created.

Forthcoming e-Governance Initiatives:

1. DGFT is currently working on the following EDI initiatives:

1. Message exchange for transmission of export reward scrips from DGFT to Customs.
2. Message exchange for transmission of Bills of Entry (import details) from Customs to DGFT.

• Online issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC).

1. Message exchange with Ministry of Corporate Affairs for CIN & DIN.
2. Message exchange with CBDT for PAN.
3. Facility to pay application fee using debit card / credit card.

• Open API for submission of IEC application.

Mobile applications for FTP