Public Notice No. 24 dated 9^th July 1997

Attention is invited to Paragraph 53 of Export and Import Policy, 1992-97, read with Paragraph 113 {iv) and Appendix XVII-D of Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1) 1992-97 {Revised Edition: March, 1996) wherein a special scheme "Engineering Product Export (Replenishment of Iron and Steel Intermediates) Scheme" for issuance of value based Advance Intermediate licence had been provided.

2.      In the Export and Import Policy, 1997-2002, Engineering Products Export (Replenishment of Iron and Steel Intermediates) Scheme has been discontinued. Under this scheme, the exporters of engineering goods used to source their requirement of iron and steel intermediate inputs from domestic steel producers at near international prices.

3.      Representations have been received from various Associations and exporters for evolving a transitional arrangement to source the intermediate inputs against Release Advice issued/ Release Advice to be issued/ Release Advice to be applied against the exports already effected. The matter has been considered and Director General of Foreign Trade-by exercising the powers conferred upon him under Paragraph 4.11 & 4.14 of Export and Import Policy, 1997 -2.002 relaxes the provisions of the Policy/ Procedures and notify the following arrangements to enable the exporters of engineering goods to source the goods indigenously:

Arrangements:

i.       In the cases where Release Advice has been issued but not serviced, such Release Advice would be converted into Advance Release Order;

ii.      In the cases where Release Advice has been partially serviced, such Release Advice would also be converted into Advance Release Order to the extent of remaining un-serviced portion;

iii.     All shipping bills in respect of export of the stainless steel items effected from 1.3.1995 to 31.3.1997 against which no benefit of Duty Drawback and Duty Exemption scheme have been availed would also be converted into Advance Release Order;

iv.     The Regional Licensing Authority concerned shall issue the Advance Release Order in the form given in Appendix 11-G of the Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1), 1997-2002;

v.      The exporters of engineering products shall surrender the un-serviced Release Advice (valid or expired) to the Regional Licensing Authority for conversion into Advance Release Order within three months from the date of issue of this Public Notice. In respect of Para 3 (iii) of this Public Notice, exporters shall submit the following documents to the concerned Regional Licensing Authority for issue of advance Release Order:

a.     Application form in Appendix 11-B as given in Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1), 1997-2002, within 3 months from the date of issue of this Public Notice. The application filed beyond that period will summarily be rejected;

b.     Bank receipt (in duplicate) Demand Draft of the specified value towards payment of application fee;

c.     Photocopy of valid RCMC;

d.     Customs attested invoices;

e.     Export Promotion copy of shipping bills evidencing the exports made; and

f.      Declaration to the effect that he has not availed any benefits under Duty Drawback/ Duty Exemption scheme in respect of Iron and Steel inputs used for such exports;

vi.     The Advance Release Order so issued will be valid for 12 months from the date of its issue. No revalidation shall be allowed under any circumstances;

vii.     The exporters of engineering products will be issued Advance Release Order for obtaining supply of inputs from steel manufacturers on quality based norms indicating against the products in the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. II), 1992-97, on the date of exports. Value addition norms, as specified against Paragraph 60 of the Export and Import Policy, 1992-97, in respect of quantity based advance licence is applicable.

viii.    The deemed export benefits as provided against paragraph 196 of the Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1) 1992-97, are available to supplier i.e. benefits under paragraph 122 (b), (c) and (d) of Exim Policy, 1992-97.

4.      In the cases where the domestic steel manufacturers has already effected supplies against Release Advices, in such cases these supplies shall be treated as supplies under Advance Release Order. Domestic Steel manufacturers will be entitled for deemed export benefits as admissible under paragraph 196 of Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1), 1992-97, i.e. benefits under Paragraph 122 (b), (c) and (d) of EXIM Policy, 1992-97. Domestic Steel suppliers shall not be entitled for Special Value Based Advance Intermediate Licence. Application for supplies already effected will have to be filed within a period of 6 months from the date of issuance of this Public Notice as per the procedures prescribed in Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1), 1992-97. Applications filed beyond a period of 6 months shall be summarily rejected.

5.      This issues in Public interest.