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

Q: I want to import Apple phone and laptop. From which country should I import them so that I make profit? (Amrendra Kumar, Indoasia, +91-9555413XXX, [email protected])
Dear Amrendra: As per latest shipment data, the highest volume and value of iPhones [falling under ITC HS Codes 85171290; MG492HN/A IPHONE 6 GOLD 16GB - HIN (APPLE MOBILE PHONE MODELA1586)] are being imported from China. Delhi and Bombay airports are the port of destination for most consignments originating from China. When it comes to Apple MacBook, the highest volume and value of MacBooks [falling under ITC HS Codes 84713090 APPLE MACBOOK - MACBOOK PRO 15-INCH WITH RETINA DISPLAY;2.2GHZ (LAPTOPS WITH ACCESSORIES)] are being imported from Singapore. Bangalore airport is the port of destination for most consignments of MacBooks originating from Singapore. Please however note that this price is C.I.F. value in US dollars and does not include either customs duty on the product 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, the actual profit of importing Apple iPhone and MacBook from these countries can be determined only after accounting for these factors.
Response by: Steven Philip Warner, President (VMPL) & Editor-in-Chief, The Dollar Business

Q: Can an Indian exporter get financial help/ loan from a bank in India for exporting from a foreign country to another foreign country? (Narayanan, +91-9400500XXX, [email protected])
Dear Narayanan: There is no rule that restricts a bank or a financial institution from financing such transactions. It’s a legal transaction and as such can be financed. Having said that, it is the sole discretion of the bank whether to finance such transaction. If it does, it will definitely ask for a collateral security in this case. 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: Dr. A. K. Sengupta, Chief Consulting Editor, The Dollar Business

Q: Can I directly import garlic from China to India? (V. P. Rangaswamy, Proprietor, Amman Agencies, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, +91-7871807XXX, [email protected])
Dear Mr. Rangaswamy: You cannot import garlic from China. India had imposed unilateral ban on import of garlic from China last year. The ban remains as of date.
Response by: Shakti Shankar Patra, Executive Editor, The Dollar Business  

Q: What incentives does the government provide for rice exports? Is there any restriction on export of non-basmati rice? (Biswajit Ghosh, Proprietor, New Ganapati Export, +91-9903976XXX, [email protected])
Dear Biswajit: The government does not provide any incentive on rice exports. Coming to the second part of your question, currently there is no restriction on export of non-basmati rice from India. Exports of non-basmati is free if export are made by private parties from their privately held stocks through Custom EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) ports. Export is also permitted through the non-EDI Land Custom Stations (LCS) on Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Nepal border subject to registration of quantity with DGFT. Registration Certificate is required for non-basmati rice only when it is exported to Bangladesh and Nepal through non-EDI LCS.
Response by: Manish K. Pandey, Editor, The Dollar Business  

Q: What is the import duty on Vietnamese Split Cassia and Star Anise? The certificate of origin is Form AI (Asean-India). (Balakrishna Kamath, Proprietor, Sudarsana Traders, +91- 9847165XXX, [email protected])
Dear Balakrishna: Split Cassia falls under ITC HS Code 09061910 and importing it from Vietnam would attract ZERO customs duty since India has a Trade in Goods Agreement with Vietnam under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the country and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). [The product, in general, attracts a total import duty of 36.136%]. When it comes to Star Anise, the product falls under HS Codes 09096111 (Seeds of anise: of seed quality) and 09096119 (Seeds of anise: other), and importing it from Vietnam would attract a total import duty of 36.136% in both the cases [since the product is not a part of India-ASEAN FTA tariff commitments schedule]. Further, while seeds of anise: other (falling under HS Code 19196119) can be freely imported into India, there is currently a RESTRICTION on import of anise of seed quality, falling under HS Code 19196111, into India. Its import is permitted for sowing without a licence in accordance with import permit granted under Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Imports into India) Order. 2003. 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: Steven Philip Warner, President (VMPL) & Editor-in-Chief, The Dollar Business

Q: I am a farmer producing fruits like papaya and pomegranate. I don’t know how to sell them in the international market. I mean I want to export these fruits. Please help. (Pavan Kumar, Farmer, +91-7022142XXX, [email protected]) 

Dear Pawan: First of all you need to obtain an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from the DGFT. An IEC is a 10-digit number allotted to a person that is mandatory for undertaking any export/import activities. Application for obtaining IEC can be filed manually and submitting the form in the office of Regional Authority (RA) of DGFT. Now the facility for IEC in electronic form or e-IEC has also been operationalised. Once you have obtained the IEC and received an export order for your product from an overseas market you need to file the following mandatory documents required for export of goods from India: (1) Bill of Lading/Airway Bill; (2) Commercial Invoice cum Packing List; and (3) Shipping Bill/Bill of Export. Once you have submitted these documents you can ship your product to the buyer. You can also begin with approaching your concerned EPC – Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) – 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/international-marketplace. There are thousands of e-commerce portals across the globe. You can choose from them taking into consideration the parts of the world you want to export to.

Response by: Shakti Shankar Patra, Executive Editor, The Dollar Business