DPIIT to get a clear picture of India’s logistics cost in about 4 months : Special Secretary – Logistics

Cont’d. from Pg. 4

The department conducted a workshop last month on logistics cost framework, and a task force has been set up to formulate a framework to determine the cost in the Country. “The task force will give its report in two months’ time. In about four months, we should have an estimate, that’s what we are aiming for,” said Special Secretary in the DPIIT Smt SumitaDawra.

Dawra said that in two months, they would get the framework and it would take another two months for thecalculations.“Wehaverecognised the fact that we need more clarity on what are the components that will go into the logistics costs calculation. Not many countries have calculated their logistics costs. So, we are trying to bring objectivity to the calculation rather than a perception-based approach,” she said. She added that, at present, there are variations in estimateswithinthecountryaswell.

Citing examples, Dawra said that the NCAER has given around 8 percent, and another estimate states 13-14 percent. “So, we are hoping that in two months’ time, the task force will give us the components which go into the logistics costs calculation, and then we will be able to take a view on how we go ahead with respect to improving those parameters and calculating the actual cost,” she said.

DGFT lays out procedure for exporters to apply for Amnesty scheme

NEW DELHI: The Commerce Ministry has laid out a procedure for applying for amnesty scheme for onetime settlement of default in export obligationbycertainexporters.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry, directed the regional authorities to process any such applications within three workingdays.

“Application for AA (advance authorisation)/EPCG (export promotion for capital goods) discharge/closure shall be filled online by logging onto the DGFT website and navigating to services,” theDGFTsaidinapolicycircular.

The Government announced the new foreign trade policy (FTP) on March 31. It included an amnesty scheme for exporters for one-time settlement of default in export obligation by the holders of advance and EPCG (export promotion for capitalgoods)authorisations.

Under the scheme, all pending cases of the default in meeting export obligation (EO) of certain authorisations can be regularised by the authorisation holder on payment of all customs duties that were exempted in proportion to unfulfilled EO and interest at the rate of 100 per centofsuchdutiesexempted.

In another trade notice, the DGFT notified new HSN codes for technical textilesitems.

In trade parlance, every product is categorised under an HSN code (Harmonised System of Nomenclature). It helps in systematic classificationofgoodsacrosstheglobe.

It said that despite having specific codes for technical textiles, it has been noted that imports/exports have not been booked under correct HS codes and the trade seems to be still being booked under other available codes.

“Accordingly, the matter has been reviewed in consultation with the textiles ministry and it is reiterated that all importers/exporters should filetheirbillofentry/shippingbillwith specificHSNcodesavailableformanmade fibre and technical textiles under…and to avoid using any other codes,”itsaid.

A list of 32 codes has been notified to facilitate the industry for easy recognition and helping them to book their import and exports under correctproductcategory.

It asked the industry to suggest morecodes,iftheyrequire.