Govt notifies norms for metallic scrap imports

Importers of certain categories of processed metallic scraps will have to submit self-declaration-cum-legal undertaking that their consignments have been inspected before shipment and do not contain any explosive or radioactive material.

According to the provisions notified by the commerce ministry, importers will also have to submit that the metal scrap being imported is processed.

Importers will have to furnish bank guarantee of Rs 10 lakh to the customs as security amount, it added.

"In the event, the declaration given by the importer is found to be false/incorrect, the importer shall be responsible for exporting back the contaminated consignment to the exporting country at his risk and cost and shall also be liable for enforcement of bond/forfeiture of security amount, in addition to any other action under the Foreign Trade (D&R) Act, 1992, the Customs Act, 1962, or any other law in force," the directorate general of foreign trade said.

It also said all scrap consignments will have to compulsorily pass through the scanner and RDE, installed at the ports, before being cleared by the customs.

The nine customs ports which have scanners and RDE are --- Cochin, Ennore, Goa, Haldia, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Kolkata, New Mangalore, Tuticorin and Visakhapatnam.

Further, it said, importers will have to submit a copy of contract with the exporter stipulating that the consignment does not contain any type of arms, ammunition, mines, shells and cartridges in any form.

"It shall also contain exporter's willingness to accept the consignment back, in case any explosive or radioactive material is found in it on arrival in India," it added.