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 the forthcoming issue of The Dollar Business.

In view of para 3.14 of the current (reviewed) Foreign Trade Policy, IGST should not be applicable on licenses/scrips issued prior to 01-07-2017 and exports effected before 01-07-2017 as that is the date on which GST was notified. Else IGST should be reimbursed as IGST has subsumed the excise duty, which was exempted earlier. This para 3.14 existed in original FTP 2015-2020 too. The transactional arrangements in para 1.05 (a) mentions the same provision. I believe if we request the DGFT to have relook on the issue, we will receive a negative response. Can a Writ Petition be filed on a negative reply from the DGFT? Please guide me. (O. P. Marda, Director, Vivid Visions Trexim Pvt. Ltd., +91-22-42440XXX, [email protected])

Dear Mr. Marda: While the intention of the transitional provision under paragraph 1.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy is to continue to provide benefits, which were available on the date of issuance of authorisation/scrips to an authorisation/scrip holder, the same can’t apply uniformly when the tax regime undergoes a significant change as has happened due to the introduction of a new tax regime in the form of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Moreover, since complete set-off of the IGST paid on imports is available as Input Tax Credit (ITC) to the importer and can be utilised for paying outward tax liabilities, the imposition of the tax, though it affects the liquidity of importer, does provide full compensation at a later stage. Since the mechanism is fair, I would not suggest that you go for a Writ Petition. However, the company so affected should take the final call on this matter.

Response by: Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)

I want to export to Scandinavian countries. Which Indian products have the best export potential in these countries. (Ashok Kumar, Proprietor, ABI Exports, +91-9500636XXX, [email protected])

Dear Ashok: We are glad to know that you want to start exporting to Scandinavian countries. The main items of export from India to Scandinavian countries include chemical products, food products, items related to transport equipment, apparels, cotton yarn and fabrics, metals, non-metal mineral items, paper products, cashew, furniture, travel goods, leather items, coffee, tea, spices, footwear and miscellaneous manufactured and semi-manufactured articles. Of late, there has been a significant growth in economic and commercial relations between India and Scandinavian countries in sectors like oil & gas, shipping & maritime industries, renewable energy, science and technology, offshore projects and IT & IT enabled services. I believe that, in the near future, products like chemicals, handicrafts, food products, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products and minerals as well as Indian flowers, fruits and vegetables will continue to have good export potential in these countries. A word of caution from my side: It’s extremely important to ensure high product quality and timely delivery to these countries as these are highly sensitive markets and adhere to strict timelines.

Response by: Anil Kumar Trigunayat , Former Ambassador of India to Jordan, Libya and Malta

I want to export live goat / sheep to Dubai from India. Can you please advise me on how to go about it? Is it necessary to have an office setup and a trade license in Dubai to export? [Khurram, Co-owner, Prakash Agrotech, +91-8130716XXX, [email protected]]

Dear Khurram: While exports of live goat and sheep to Dubai is allowed from India, there are certain procedures that need to be followed for the same. The first step of course will be to obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC). This can be obtained from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The Dollar Business will be happy to help you in acquiring the IEC. Further, for exporting livestock to Dubai, one needs to fulfill the livestock health requirements of the Emirate of Dubai and furnish self-certified copies of health record, including vaccination record, of the animal. An Export Quarantine Certificate will be issued by the Animal Quarantine and Certification System of the Government of India after physical examination/quarantine observation of the animal 2-3 days prior to the shipment date. If required, the animal may be referred for detailed clinical examination including testing. If the animal is not healthy/fit, certificate is not issued. The animal may be subject to testing at the entry point in Dubai. Coming to the second part of your question, you don’t need an office or license in Dubai to export from India, however the buyer will need a license to import into Dubai.

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

I want to export surgical products and sports goods from India. I already have an Importer Exporter Code (IEC). How do I find overseas buyers of these products? (Ankit Prajapati, Proprietor, Oso Contractor & Suppliers, +91-9634113XXX, [email protected])

Dear Ankit: We are happy to hear of your decision to head into the world of foreign trade. You can approach your concerned associations – Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL) for pharma products and Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) for sports goods – for assistance or directly reach out to potential buyers by posting your product information on https://in.thedollarbusiness.com/marketplace. From discovering the best markets to source from or supply to, to overcoming statutory and procedural challenges with respect to exports-imports documentation, to identifying the right logistics partners, International Marketplace understands all your requirements and accordingly connects you with the right market and partners so that you can make a fortune out of foreign trade.

Additionally, you can also explore The Dollar Business CONQUER Programme (You can read more on TDB CONQUER Programme on https://in.thedollarbusiness.com) that gives an in-the-making super successful exporter like you the access to TDB EXIMAPS (https://in.thedollarbusiness.com/exim-maps), the most powerful buyer discovery and competition analysis tool for Indian exporters, which ensures you touch newer highs in global trade. In case you have further queries, do write back to us.

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

Is there any export incentive available under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) for Indian Kabuli Chickpeas (HS Code: 07132000)? (Bharat Parekh, Director, Tricos Exports Pvt. Ltd., +91-9820034XXX, [email protected])

Dear Bharat: Indian Kabuli Chickpeas (HS Code: 07132000) does not qualify for MEIS benefit or any other such benefit under the new Foreign Trade Policy FY2015-2020.

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

I want to export charcoal. What are the countries that buy acacia wood charcoal? (Rajesh, Rajesh Enterprise, [email protected])

Dear Rajesh: We assume you are interested in exporting wood charcoal falling under HS Code: 44029090. Industry data reveals that India is not a big exporter of wood charcoal falling under the said HS Code. In fact, India ranks 26th in the world when it comes to exports of wood charcoal and accounts for just 0.81% share in global exports of the product. India’s only significant export destination for the product falling under the said HS Code is Bhutan (the country accounts for about 96% of India’s total exports of the product), though the country is also exporting the product to Netherlands, Czech Republic and Sri Lanka in small quantities. Further, sadly, India’s exports under the HS Code: 44029090 has only been falling over the last few years. More of such pure, researched data is available to TDB license holders. (You can read more on https://in.thedollarbusiness.com/memberships).

Response by: Indranil Das Executive Editor, The Dollar Business