Indirect Tax

Customs

Imports of ‘Wheel Loaders,’ ‘Gypsum Tiles,’ ‘Industrial Laser Machinery’, and ‘Synthetic Grade Zeolite 4A’ to attract Anti-Dumping Duty

Notification No. 14/2023-Cus (ADD) dated 11 December 2023, 15/2023-Cus (ADD) dated 22 December 2023, 16/2023-Cus (ADD) dated 26 December 2023, and 17/2023-Cus (ADD) dated 27 December 2023

The government has imposed Anti- Dumping Duty (ADD) at varied rates on the import of ‘Synthetic Grade Zeolite 4A’ from Thailand and Iran for five years. Similarly, ADD has been imposed on ‘Industrial Laser Machines, in fully assembled, SKD or CKD form, used for cutting, marking, or welding operations’ (including Laser Cutting Machines, Laser Marking Machines, and Laser Welding Machines) originating in or exported from China PR for five years. Import of ‘Gypsum Board/Tiles with lamination on at least one side’ from China PR and Oman would also attract ADD at varied rates for five years. Furthermore, ‘Wheel Loaders’ (except those specifically excluded) originating in or exported from China PR shall be exigible to ADD at varied rates.

CBIC streamlines the process for examining BIS registration compliance for imported Electronic and IT Goods

Instruction No. 28/2023-Cus dated 12 December 2023

The CBIC has issued instructions to Customs field formations to streamline the process, including sampling, for examining the importers’ compliance with the mandatory requirement of registration with BIS or a specific exemption letter from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in relation to notified goods under the “Electronic and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order 2012.

Foreign Trade Policy

DGFT bans export of onions till March 31

Notification No. 49/2023 dated 07 December 2023

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has prohibited the export of onions till 31 March 2024, w.e.f. 8 December 2023. However, it has prescribed some transitional arrangements for consignments of onions while also allowing exports on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their requests.

Mandatory electronic filing of Non- Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO) deferred till December 2024

Trade Notice No. 36/2023-24 dated 26 December 2023

The DGFT has extended the transition period for mandatory filing of applications for Non-Preferential CoO through the Common Digital Platform till 31 December 2024. In this interim period, the existing system for processing Non-Preferential CoO applications in manual/paper mode is permitted, while the exporters and notified agencies would have the option of using the online system.