Advance Authorisation – Export Obligation for spices – HOP amended

By Vijay Kumar

As per para 4.22 of the Handbook of Procedures, Vol. I,

Fulfilment Period of EO under an Advance Authorisation shall commence from Authorisation issue date. EO shall be fulfilled within 24 months except in case of supplies to projects / turnkey projects in India / abroad under deemed exports category where EO must be fulfilled during contracted duration. In case of Spices {(covered by chapter 9 of ITC (HS)}, EO shall be fulfilled within 90 days from the date on which first import consignment is cleared by Customs Authorities.

However, in case of import of spices for VA purpose like crushing / grounding / sterlisation or for manufacture of oils and oleoresins and not for simple cleaning, grading, re-packing etc., EO shall be fulfilled within 120 days. EO Period for import of drugs (with a specific export order and pre-import condition) and for import of tea shall be 6 months.

Now this part is changed to,

"However, in case of import of spices for VA purpose like crushing / grinding / sterlisation or for manufacture of oils and oleoresins of pepper, cardamom and chillies and not for simple cleaning, grading, repacking etc., EO shall be fulfilled within 120 days from the date of importation of first consignment. In case of import of spices (other than pepper, cardamom and chillies) for manufacture of spice oils and oleoresins, EO shall be fulfilled within 12 months from the date of issuance of advance authorisation.”

DGFT PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 60 (RE-2007)/2004-2009, Dated: October 4, 2007