Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue

Circular No. 22/2007-Customs
F.No.467/24/2007-Cus.V

New Delhi, 5th June 2007

Subject:-Removal of port restrictions on import of Tea from Sri Lanka under India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement vide Notification No.75/2007-Cus. dated 5th June 2007 regarding procedure to be followed for monitoring of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) – regarding/-

1. I am directed to refer to Notification No. 75/2007-Customs dated 5th June 2007 regarding removal of port restrictions on import of tea from Sri Lanka under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLTA) subject fulfillment of Rules of Origin criteria.
   
   
2. The monitoring mechanism for TRQ imports of tea from Sri Lanka under ISLFTA was agreed in the meeting held between the Government of India and Government of Sri Lanka on 18-19 April 2000 (copy of the Minutes enclosed). The said monitoring mechanism shall continue even after removal of port restrictions for import of tea from Sri Lanka under ISLFTA.
   
   
3. Chief Commissioners are requested to direct all officials under their charge to strictly comply with the monitoring mechanism referred to above. Chief Commissioners shall also forward details of imports of tea under ISLFTA to the Directorate General of Systems, Customs & Central Excise, New Delhi. Customs ports having EDI facility shall provide the information to DG, Systems online, while non-EDI locations may do so electronically.
   
   
4. Directorate General of Systems, Customs & Central Excise, New Delhi will maintain record of import of tea from Sri Lanka under ISLFTA and ensure that the total quantity imported in a year does not exceed the TRQ. The Directorate General of Systems, Customs & Central Excise, New Delhi may fix the frequency of reports to be sent by EDI/non-EDI locations for this purpose.

Yours Faithfully,
(S.P.RAO)
Under Secretary to the Government of India