Introduction
Import in India is governed by the certain rules and regulation, which are
issued by the import-export governing bodies. IImport Export government
authorities
decide which items will be imported and which item will be prohibited. The
quantity of goods to be imported and tax imposed on the imported goods is also
under the control of import governing body. Import-Export governing bodies also
play an important role in settling the Foreign Trade Agreement in matters
related to import of goods.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the nodal authority for formulating and
implementing the foreign trade policy in matter related to Import. The
Department of Commerce play a key role in matters related to multilateral and bilateral
commercial relations, state trading, export promotion measures and development
and regulation of certain import oriented industries and commodities.
There are two departments under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The first
one is the Department of Commerce and the second is Department of Industrial
Policy & Promotion. The department of Ministry of Commerce which is
sometimes also termed as Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion was established in
the year 1995, and in the year 2000 Department of Industrial Development was
merged with it.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry has its offices in all the major cities. Its
Delhi office is located at Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011 India
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
DGFT or Directorate General of Foreign Trade is a government organisation in
India responsible for the formulation of guidelines and principles for importers
as well as exporters of country.
Preparation, formulation and implication of Exim Policies are one of the main
functions of DGFT. Apart from Exim Policy, DGFT is also responsible for issuing
IEC or Import Export Code. IEC codes are mandatory for carrying out import
export trade operations and enable companies to acquire benefits on their
imports/exports, customs, exports promotion council etc in India. DGFT also play
an important role in controlling DEPB rates and setting standard input-output
norms. Any changes or formulation or addition of new codes in ITC-HS Codes are
also carried out by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade).
DGFT has its offices in all the major cities. Its Delhi office is located at IP
Bhawan, New Delhi.
Central Board of Excises Customs (CBEC)
The Central Board of Excises Customs (CBEC) under Ministry of Finance is the
controlling authority to handle custom duty related matters. CBEC regularly
publishes the "Indian Customs Tariff Guide that provides all types of
information on custom duty rules and regulation in India.
Custom duty not only raises money for the Central Government but also helps the
government to prevent the illegal imports and exports of goods from India. The
Central government has emergency powers to increase import or export duties
whenever necessary after a notification in the session of Parliament.
Objectives of Custom Duties
· Regulating the amount of import in India in order to protect the domestic
market.
· Protecting Indian Industry from undue competition
· Prohibiting certain imports of goods for achieving the policy objectives of
the Government.
· Regulating imports
· Coordinating legal provisions with other laws dealing with foreign exchange
such as Foreign Trade Act, Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, Conservation of
Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Act, etc.
All import goods are classified into categories known as called "headings" and
"subheadings" (Harmonised System Codes) for the purpose of levy of duty. For
each sub-heading, a specific rate of duty has been prescribed in the Customs
Tariff Act, 1975.
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