In the world of export-import, each shipment counts. And you cannot afford to make any “uninformed investment”. So, if you have any doubt or a question, ask us. Our team of experts at The Dollar Business Intelligence Unit will be happy to answer your queries. Your question(s), if approved, will also be published on www.thedollarbusiness.com, and/or in forthcoming issue of  The Dollar Business

I want to import aluminium 6063 scrap. Is there any restriction on importing the product? (Avinash, Manager, +91-8886022XXX, [email protected])

Dear Avinash: We assume you are interested in importing aluminium scrap falling under HS Code: 76020010. You can import aluminium 6063 scrap falling under the said HS code. However, import of any form of metallic waste, scrap will be subject to the condition that it will not contain hazardous, toxic waste, radioactive contaminated waste / scrap containing radioactive material, any type of arms, ammunition, mines, shells, live or used cartridge or any other explosive material in any form either used or otherwise. Further, import of metal (all) scrap is allowed only through designated ports (the name of the port should be mentioned on the invoice) - Chennai, Cochin, Ennore, JNPT, Kandla, Mormugao, Mumbai, New Mangalore, Paragraphdip, Tuticorin, Vishakhapatnam, ICD Loni, (Ghaziabad), Pipava, Mundra, Kolkata, ICD Ludhiana, ICD Dadri (Greater Noida), ICD Nagpur, ICD Jodhpur, ICD Jaipur, ICD Udaipur, CFS Mulund, ICD Kanpur, ICD Ahmedabad, ICD Pitampur and ICD Malanpur - and no exceptions would be allowed even in case of EOUs and SEZs. You also need to ensure that you have an ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.) code and the consignment should meet the guidelines prescribed by ISRI.

Response by: Steven Philip Warner, President (VMPL) & Editor-in-Chief, The Dollar Business

I want to import 3D bedsheets (one 20 feet container) from China, both cotton and polyester (GSM 120 approx.). What will be the approximate freight from Shanghai to NhavaSheva? (Piyush, Director, KintanCreation, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, +91-9374455XXX, [email protected])

Dear Piyush: We assume you are interested in knowing the approximate freight and insurance rates for a 20 feet FCL laden with 120 GSM 3D bedsheets (ITC HS Code 630419) from Shanghai (China) to Nhava Sheva (India). Assuming an average weight of 1.5 kg per unit (230X250CM unit with packaging), a 20 ft. FCL can be allowed to hold a maximum of 14,000 units (maximum load weight of 22 tonne). Considering an FOB price of Rs.294 per unit (going by recent shipment data), the total FOB value of your shipment will be Rs.41,16,000 or $63,323 (at an exchange rate of USDINR of 65). Total freight and insurance charges for this volume and value of textile comes to anywhere between $1,102 and $1,218. [In case our assumption about the intended import product isn’t exact, please write to us.]

Response by: Manish K. Pandey, Editor, The Dollar Business

I want to import copy paper from Thailand. What will be the CIF value of a 20-feet FCL? (Chaitanya Pandya, Proprietor, Copy Paper Trading Co., +91-9429577887, [email protected])

Dear Chaitanya: We assume you are interested in importing carbonless copy paper (in rolls) falling under ITC HS Code: 48092000. The highest volume and value (as per latest shipment data) of carbonless copy paper (in rolls) are being imported from Thailand at prices that range between Rs.97 and Rs.109 per kilogram. Please however note that these prices are C.I.F. values and do not include either customs duties or logistics-related costs that will be incurred in the process of transporting the imported product to your godown from the port of destination. Hence, viability of importing carbonless copy paper (in rolls) from Thailand can be determined only after accounting for these factors. [In case our assumption about the intended import product isn’t exact, please write to us.]

Response by: Dr. A. K. Sengupta, Chief Consulting Editor, The Dollar Business

Thanks for creating such a platform. I wish to draw your kind attention to Customs Notification No.31/2014 regarding exemption of duty on bunker fuels, viz. IFO 180 CST and IFO 380 CST, for converting foreign container vessel to coastal run. I wish to know that is this applicable only to coastal container vessels or the bunker duty waiver is applicable to coastal tanker vessels as well? (Shailendra Penkar, Executive, Agency Firm, +91-9819086797, [email protected])

Dear Shailendra: Duty on bunker fuels viz. IFO 180 CST and IFO 380 CST ie exempt only if: (i) the bunker fuels are imported for use in ships or vessels which are registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) and fly the Indian flag only; (ii) such ships or vessels carry cargo between two or more Indian ports (including an intermediate foreign port); (iii) such ships or vessels carry either containerised export-import cargo or empty containers or both between such ports; (iv) such ships or vessels do not file any cargo related documentation under the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) with the Customs authorities, other than an import manifest (IGM) or an export manifest (EGM), as the case may be; (v) the Master of the vessel or his authorised agent and the importer submit a declaration-cum-undertaking stating the quantity of bunker fuels required under this notification to the Assistant Commissioner of Customs or Deputy Commissioner of Customs, as the case may be, based on a document certifying the consumption rate of fuel issued by any classification society which is a member of International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and the distance proposed to be covered by the vessel during its voyage; and (vi) the Master of the vessel or his authorised agent and the importer submit an undertaking to the Assistant Commissioner of Customs or Deputy Commissioner of Customs, as the case may be, to pay, in the event of his failure to comply with any of the aforesaid conditions, an amount equal to the duty leviable on such goods but for the exemption contained therein, along with the applicable interest thereon

Response by: Steven Philip Warner, President (VMPL) & Editor-in-Chief, The Dollar Business

I have IEC, but I don’t know how to start an import-export business. I want to export to Dubai. How do I start? (LiyakatShaikh, Partner, SkayExport Import, +919881381096, liyakat.miyashaikh@gmail .com)

Dear Liyakat: Thank you for taking the time to send in your question. We request for a question with greater details. For example, we would like to know the product you want to export to Dubai for us to advice you better. Meanwhile, you can begin with approaching your concerned export promotion council for assistance or reach out to potential buyers by posting your product information on B2B websites. You can also post your products on https://in.thedollarbusiness.com/marketplace/inner. There are other e-commerce portals across the globe. You can choose the ones that meet your requirements and are popular among buyers in Dubai.In case you have further queries, The Dollar Business Intelligence Unit would like to hear from you. Your question means a lot to us

Response by: Manish K. Pandey, Editor, The Dollar Business