AP, TN, Maha get timeline to complete red sanders export process

The Dollar Business Bureau 

The Ministry of Commerce has set timelines for the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra to complete modalities and export procedure for Red Sanders wood. 

Andhra Pradesh has been given time till April 30, 2019, whereas Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have been allowed till August 31, 2018, for finalising the modalities and completion of the export process of this wood. 

“Time upto August 31, 2018 has been allowed to the governments of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to finalise the modalities and complete the process of export of respective allocated quantity of Red Sanders Wood,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification (No.08/2015-2020) issued on Tuesday. 

Time till April 30, next year has been given to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to finalise these activities, the notification said. 

“Time upto April 30, 2018 has been allowed to complete the export of value added products (VAP) of Red Sanders wood by Andhra Pradesh, either by itself or through any entity/entities so authorised by them for the purpose,” it added. 

Red Sanders wood is an endangered species which comes under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and it is illegal to sell and possess this wood. 

The wood is majorly found in the Seshachalam Hills, part of the Eastern Ghats, spread across Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool in Rayalaseema geographic region and Nellore district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. 

The wood is in high demand overseas, especially in countries like Japan and China, where it fetches good prices. As per some reports, the Red Sanders wood is being sold at Rs.25 lakh per tonne in international market. 

The wood is used in traditional medicines and for woodcraft across China, Japan Myanmar and East Asia.