India’s import and export system is governed by the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act of 1992 (full text) and India’s Export Import (EXIM) Policy.
Import and export of all goods are free, except for the items regulated by the EXIM policy or any other law currently in force. Registration with regional licensing authority is a prerequisite for the import and export of goods. The customs will not allow for clearance of goods unless the importer has obtained an Import Export Code (IEC) from the regional authority.
Import Policy
The Indian Trade Classification (ITC)-Harmonized System (HS) classifies goods into three categories:
- Restricted
- Canalized
- Prohibited
Goods not specified in the above mentioned categories can be freely imported without any restriction, if the importer has obtained a valid IEC. There is no need to obtain any import license or permission to import such goods. Most of the goods can be freely imported in India.
The value of imported goods for the assessment of duty is determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of 1962 and the Customs Valuation (Determination of Value of Imported Goods) Rules, 2007. According to the rules, the assessable value equal the transaction value of goods as adjusted for freight and cost of insurance, loading, unloading and handling charges.
Export Policy
Just like imports, goods can be exported freely if they are not mentioned in the classification of ITC (HS). Below follows the classification of goods for export:
- Restricted
- Prohibited
- State Trading Enterprise
In the assessable value, the following criteria are included:
- Commission and brokerage;
- Cost of container, which are treated as being one with the goods for customs purposes;
- Cost of packing – labour or materials;
- Materials, components, tools, etc. supplied by buyer;
- Royalties and license fees;
- Value of proceeds of subsequent sales;
- Other payment as condition of sale of goods being valued;
- Cost of transport up to place of importation;
- Landing charges; and,
- Cost of insurance.
The following costs are excluded from the assessable value:
- Charges for construction, erection, assembly, maintenance or technical assistance undertaken after importation of plant, machinery or equipment;
- Cost of transport after importation;
- Duties and taxes in India; and,
- Types of duties on exports and imports in India are covered in the Customs Tariff Act 1975. The Act provides all the laws and regulations related to customs in India.