Import of Waste Paper – DGFT Clarifies
WASTE paper is classified under ITC (HS) Code No. 4707 9000 and import is free. However, as per Hazardous Material (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules, 2008 notified by Ministry of Environment & Forests on 24.9.2008, import of the item has been made subject to actual user condition with permission from Ministry of Environment & Forests (MOEF) and a licence from DGFT.
Now there is an apparent contradiction; while the import is free as per FTP, there is a condition prescribed under the Hazardous Material Rules. In government normally the left hand will not know what the left hand itself is doing, let alone what the right hand is doing.
So the DGFT clarifies that till the matter is suitably resolved, importers of waste paper may make an import licence application to the concerned Regional Authority of DGFT for issue of an import licence. The import licence shall be issued by the concerned Regional Authority based on a ‘No Objection Certificate' obtained by the importer from MOEF. In these cases, the Regional Authority shall issue a licence without waiting for any formal approval from DGFT HQrs. This arrangement shall continue in operation for a period of three months from the date of issue of this Policy Circular that is till 1.7.2009.
Let us hope they will wake up by that time and sort out the issue.
DGFT Policy Circular No. 78(RE-08)/2004-2009 Dated: April 01, 2009