Public Notice No. 3 dated 31^st March 2000

In exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 4.11 of the Export and Import Policy, 1997-2002, and in suppression of Public Notice No. 3 (PN/ 97-02) dated 31.03.97, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby amends the policy/ procedures for the import of car and automobile vehicles, effective from 01.04.2000, as under:

(1)     Passenger cars/ jeeps/ multi utility vehicles etc, which are in the restricted category may be imported without a licence on payment of full Customs duty by the following categories of importers:

(a)       Individuals coming to India for permanent settlement after two years� continuous stay abroad;

(b)       Resident Indians presented with a car as an award in any international event/ match/ competition;

(c)       Legal heirs/ successors of deceased relatives residing abroad;

(d)       Physically handicapped persons;

(e)       Companies incorporated in India having foreign equity participation;

(f)        Branches/ offices of foreign firms;

(g)     Charitable/ Missionary/ Religious Institutions registered as per the law relating to the registration of the societies or trusts or otherwise approved by the Central or State Government, subject to the condition that the importer is an established institution and is functioning for the common benefit of the community, and subject further to production of necessary clearance under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976.�

           (Above (g) has been amended vide P.N. No. 18(RE-2000) Dt.30/ 6/ 2000.)

(h)     Honorary Consuls of foreign countries on the recommendations of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

(i)      Journalists/ Correspondents of foreign news agencies having accreditation certificate with the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India.

(1)    All the above categories shall be entitled to import only one vehicle except categories (e) and (f), which shall be entitled to import maximum of three vehicles. Persons in category (d) shall be entitled to import only specially designed vehicles suitable for use by handicapped. All such imports shall carry a "NO SALE" condition of two years which shall be endorsed by the Customs authorities on the passport/ registration documents at the time of import and by the Regional Transport Authorities when such vehicles are presented for registration in India. All such imports, except by the physically handicapped persons, shall not involve any foreign exchange remittance from India directly or indirectly. The DGFT may, however, permit relaxation of these conditions or imports by any other category not listed in this Public Notice in special circumstances.

(2)    All bonds/ bank guarantees executed by importers of cars/ two wheelers etc. prior to 31.03.97, where the vehicle has not been transferred, shall be deemed to have been discharged with the issue of this Public Notice.

This issues in public interest.