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DGFT inks agreement with DHL to train MSMEs on e-commerce exports

To promote e-commerce exports, the commerce ministry's arm DGFT in partnership with logistics services provider DHL will conduct training sessions and workshops for MSMEs in 76 districts of the country, a statement said on Thursday. The exercise is aimed at preparing MSMEs to tap the growing potential of increasing exports through e-commerce medium, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in the statement. The DGFT has been actively engaging to boost e-commerce exports from the country, leveraging its 'District as Export Hubs' initiative. It has been collaborating with various e-commerce platforms and other service providers to conduct capacity-building and training sessions in the identified districts. "The goal is to promote and enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to explore the international markets through e-commerce channels," the ministry said. "Today DGFT partnered with DHL through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will cov

Govt exempts certain exporting units from quality control orders

The government on Friday exempted advance authorisation holders and export-oriented units (EOUs) from mandatory quality control orders for imported goods that are used as inputs for exports. It said that the exemption will be with pre-import conditions, and those inputs will be utilised in the manufacturing of the export products. "Enabling provisions are made for exempting inputs imported by Advance Authorisation holders and EOUs from mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs)," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The unutilised material will be destroyed in the presence of jurisdictional GST/customs authorities, it added. Mandatory QCOs help curb the import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers as well as the environment. QCOs are applicable for products domestically manufactured as well as imported. Every manufacturing unit in and outside India has to comply with these orders i

Customs to ease export norms for certain dual-use goods, says DGFT

The government is working to liberalise export norms for certain products which have dual-use like chemicals for companies that have proven track record, a senior official said on Tuesday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that dual-use goods and technologies are sensitive and if it goes in the wrong hands of non-state actors, it can cause serious disruptions globally. A small group of rebels in Yemen have disrupted the global trade as they are attacking foreign commercial ships with drones and missiles. "We are working with the industry, with the ministry of external affairs, and with the customs to ensure that a whole lot of sectors are liberalised for those companies which have proven track record of responsible use and responsible exports," Sranagi said here at the 'National Conference on Strategic Trade Controls'. It was organised by the DGFT and the external affairs ministry here. Dual use implies the usage of these goods and technologies in

Integrate more districts in export initiatives to boost shipments: DGFT

More and more districts need to be integrated with export initiatives to help boost the country's outbound shipments, a senior official said on Wednesday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi also said that an increase in exports helps in enhancing per capita income. He said that four states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - account for 65 per cent of India's exports and they also have a high per capita income. The DGFT also noted that only 62 districts out of over 760 in the country contribute about 80 per cent of India's exports. "So there is a need to integrate more and more districts in our export initiatives. Imagine if another 700 districts get involved in export activities, then our export potential will multiply," Sarangi said here while inaugurating the Federation of Indian Export Organisations' (FIEO) 'Sourcex India' exhibition. The three-day show will end on January 19 here. "There is a very positive correlation between export

No import restrictions on certain IT products like desktop computers: DGFT

The government has clarified that there are no import restrictions on certain IT hardware products such as desktop computers. In a circular to customs authorities and industry, the commerce ministry arm Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said only the import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra small form factor computers and servers is restricted and imports of these goods are allowed against a valid import authorisation. "The given import restriction does not apply to any other goods such as desktop computers, etc, under the tariff head 8471," it said. In international trade parlance, every product is categorised under an HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) code, or tariff heads. It helps in systematic classification of goods across the globe. HS Code 8471 includes products related to automatic data processing machines and units. It includes a mouse, printers, scanners, and CD drives. In August 2023, the government imposed restrictions on ..

Comm min expects to issue 20,000 status holder certificates to exporters

The Commerce Ministry, which automated the process for issuance of exporter status certificates, is expected to issue about 20,000 such documents by the end of this year, a senior official said on Wednesday. Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said this would be a big jump in the issuance of these certificates, and so far, they have issued over 40,200 status-holder certificates. "There are another 2,000 applications, which are under scrutiny because of their prior history. But ultimately, those will also get issued, and by the end of this year, we expect about 20,000 status holders to be recognised through this automated process," he told reporters here. Last month, DGFT said that an exporter status certificate will now be issued based on the available electronic data, and traders will not have to apply to get the recognition. These certificates provide certain privileges, including simplified procedures under foreign trade policy (FTP), priority custom .

Exporters should help EODC camps succeed

The DGFT has now brought into sharp focus the urgency to deal with the EODC applications quickly and get the statuses of the authorisations updated where the EODCs are issued

Change in rules for laptop, PC imports to boost manufacturing: GTRI

Tweaking of licensing rules by the commerce ministry's arm DGFT for imports of certain IT hardware products like laptop and computers will help boost domestic manufacturing, think tank GTRI said on Friday. Grant of exception to laptops and tablets assembled in special economic zones (SEZs) from import restrictions would make a significant shift in India's electronics manufacturing landscape, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. The government on Thursday tweaked the cumbersome licensing norms for import of these products and put in place an online authorisation system for importers. The new licensing or authorisation regime is primarily aimed at monitoring imports of these products to ensure that they are coming from trusted sources. These regulations are set to come into force on November 1 and are poised to reshape the industry until September 2024, it said. "Local suppliers now have two routes to procure laptops for the Indian market - they can buy laptops from firms .

Food prices to remain stable during festival season, says food secretary

The government has recently used all tools at its command, whether trade policy or stock limit norms. These tools have been used judiciously to ensure prices remain stable, Chopra noted

Weekly India-UK FTA meets taking place, ironing out differences: Govt

The government is working on an import management system - laptops, tablets, and other IT hardware - and it will come into effect on November 1

Annual registration required for IT hardware importers under new system

This policy change comes against the backdrop of proposed import curbs on laptops and IT hardware, slated to take effect from 1 November

Commerce Ministry opens applications for registration to import IT hardware

The registration plan comes after the Centre decided to delay the requirement of licenses for such imports

PC, laptop import restrictions: Govt hints at breather; no date for curbs

Laptop, tablet, PC, and small server makers need to register on DGFT platform starting Nov 1

Keeping a tab on IT hardware imports: Govt looks at SIMS for template

May mandate prior registration of India-bound items

IT hardware companies may be asked to register for imports in FY24: Report

This comes a month after the DGFT announced that the import of certain IT hardware products, including laptops, tablets, PCs, servers, etc., would fall under the restricted category

Govt to ensure enhanced export control of dual-use items: Official

The government will ensure enhanced export control of dual-use items so that these do not fall into the hands of non-state actors and terrorists, Director General of Foreign Trade Santosh Sarangi said on Friday. Dual-use items are those which are used for civilian and non-civilian purposes. Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce here, Sarangi said India is now a part of several multi-lateral groupings like Australia Group. "Enhanced export controls will ensure that these dual-use items do not fall into the hands of non-state actors and terrorists," he said. Sarangi also said the DGFT prepares a special SCOMET (speciality chemicals, organisms, materials, equipment and technologies) list of dual-use items after inter-ministerial consultations. "We have a strict regime of export controls of dual-use items. We also see the countries and the frequency at which these items are sent," he said. Also at the same time, the government is taking steps to facilitate more exports of these

Govt to tap districts for enhancing exports: DGFT Santosh Sarangi

Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Sarangi on Friday said that the government will go to the districts to enhance exports. Seventy districts in the country account for 80 per cent of the country's exports total exports, he told reporters at the Indian Chamber of Commerce here. In West Bengal, two districts - Darjeeling and Howrah have been identified for the purpose so far. Darjeeling for tea and Howrah for jewellery and engineering goods. Export plans for them have also been adopted, Sarangi added. "Districts have a huge potential for increasing exports. Only 70 districts account for 80 per cent of the total exports of the country," he said. DGFT, which is under the commerce ministry, formulates the country's trade policy and also implements it. Sarangi said India has a huge potential for export of electronic items, white goods and processed foods and with the kind of growth rates which the country is clocking for the last 15 years, it can aspire to become a ...

Govt defers implementation of laptop, PCs import restrictions to Nov 1

Import consignments can be cleared till October 31 without a license for restricted imports

Centre extends deadline for track and trace system for pharma exports

The extension applies to both Small Scale Industries (SSI) and non-SSI manufactured drugs

Govt bans exports of non-basmati white rice to boost domestic supply

The government on Thursday prohibited export of non-basmati white rice, according to a notification of the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT). "Export policy of non-basmati white rice (semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed)...is amended from free to prohibited," the DGFT said in a notification. However, it said that the consignments of this rice will be allowed to be exported under certain conditions such as where loading of this rice on the ship has commenced before this notification. Export will also be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their governments, it added.