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Issue 28 October 2015

From Dezan Shira & Associates

Importing and Exporting


in India
P.04 The Import and Export Landscape in P.10 Calculating Customs Duties in
India India

P.08 Import and Export Procedures in


India
www.india-briefing.com
1
Introduction
India has historically played an important role in In the second article, entitled Import and Export
global trade flows. Located between mainland Procedures in India, we summarize procedures that
Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, India importers and exporters must follow in India. This
has long served as a gateway to global markets. summary can help businesses that want to begin
Today, importers and exporters continue to benefit imports and exports to start to prepare for trading
from Indias geostrategic in India. In the third article,
position; howe ver, low entitled Calculating Customs
operating costs and business Duties in India, we describe the
friendly measures from the most basic custom duties and
government have helped provide an illustration that financial
importers and exporters administration teams may
expand their interests in examine to gain a rough estimate
recent years. of potential duties calculations.
Adam Livermore
In this issue of India Briefing Partner Importers and exporters will find
M agazine, we examine Dezan Shira & Associates a stable trading environment in
Indias import and export Mumbai and New Delhi Offices India. The countrys geostrategic
landscape, basic import and position, low operating costs
export procedures as well as and massive unified market
the customs duties. In the first article, entitled The are complemented by well-established trade flows
Import and Export Landscape in India, we note that and steady government policies. Importers and
Indias import-export landscape has remained stable exporters that master current trade conditions are
despite significant economic changes. This bodes well-positioned to reap lucrative rewards as Indias
well for businesses that trade with India. investment climate continues to improve.

Kind regards,

Reference
Adam Livermore
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Shira Group.

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Table of Contents

P.04 The Import and Export


Landscape in India

P.08 Import and Export Procedures


in India

P.10 Calculating Customs Duties in


India This Issues Topic
Importing and Exporting in India

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The Import and Export
Landscape in India
By Dezan Shira & Associates
Editor: Siddhartha Thyagarajan

Indias import-export landscape has remained in FY 2015. In the current FY, India became the
stable in recent years despite major changes in the third largest importer of crude oil, after the U.S.
domestic and international economies. In recent and China. Oil imports for India have been steadily
years, Indias main import and export commodities rising in tandem with its growing economy over
have mostly not changed, while its largest trading the past few years.
partners have also remained the same. This stable
import-export structure bodes well for businesses Indias demand for crude petroleum is expected to
that trade with India, as well as those that would like keep rising in 2015, and may surpass the Chinese
to expand their operations to the country. demand for oil. Irans oil production in April 2015
jumped to its highest level in three years as India

Indias Imports in 2015 imports grew, highlighting how Indian oil demand
shapes oil production for major exporters.
During the current Financial Year (FY ), China
exported products worth US$60.4 billion to
Major exporters such as Saudi Arabia, who are
India, making China its biggest exporter. India
trying to consolidate their share of the India market,
is an important market for China; the East Asian
recognize Indias importance as an oil importer.
countrys manufacturing capacity complements
Industry experts note that Saudi Arabia, for
Indias under-performing manufacturing sector.
example, is exploring ways to become more price
Indias importance to China is reflected in the over
competitive, such as by providing their own tankers
US$22 billion in investments from China that Prime
in order to make Saudi crude a more attractive
Minister Narendra Modi helped secure during his
option for Indian refiners.
trip there in May, which was partly designed to
help redress Indias trade imbalance with China.
Indonesia and South Korea are the only other East
Gold, Pearls, Precious and
Asian economies in Indias top ten import sources
Semi-precious stones
Indias second largest import is gold, while its third
in the current FY.
is precious and semi-precious stones. Together, they
account for nearly US$57 billion worth of imported
The second largest exporter to India was Saudi
goods in FY 2015.
Arabia, which exported goods worth US$28.2
billion. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar,
Domestic consumer demand for gold is driven
Iraq and Nigeria are also major exporters to India,
by cultural and economic factors. Many Indians
reflecting Indias high demand for petroleum.
purchase gold for major occasions, such as festivals
or marriage ceremonies, because its considered
Petroleum: Crude
auspicious. Meanwhile, many Indians consider gold
Indias largest import is crude petroleum, with
as one of the safest investment options. Gold is
around US$116.4 billion worth being imported

4
Issue 28 October 2015 India Briefing

India Imports and Exports 2015


(USD Billion)

Top Import Items FY 2015 Top Export Items FY 2015

Petroleum: Crude Petroleum products


$ 116.4 $ 56.7

Gold Pearls, precious and


$ 34.4 semi-precious stones
$ 24.6

Pearls, precious and Gold, other precious metals


semi-precious stones and jewellery
$ 22.5 $ 13.2

Petroleum products Drug formulations


$ 21.9 biologicals
$ 11.2

Coal, coke and briquittes RMG cotton including


$ 17.7 accessories
$ 9.3

Telecom instruments Iron and steel


$ 14.7 $ 8.7

Iron and steel Products of


$ 12.3 Iron and steel
$ 7.6

Top Import Source FY 2015 Top Export Destination FY 2015


CHINA USA
$ 60.4 $ 42.4
SAUDI ARABIA UAE
$ 28.2 $33
UAE HONG KONG
$ 26.2 $ 13.5
SWITZERLAND CHINA
$ 22.1 $ 12
USA SAUDI ARABIA
$ 21.6 $ 11.2
INDONESIA SINGAPORE
$ 14.9 $ 10
QATAR UK
$ 14.6 $ 9.3
IRAQ GERMANY
$ 14.2 $ 7.5
NIGERIA SRI LANKA
$ 13.7 $ 6.7
SOUTH KOREA NETHERLANDS
$ 13.5 $ 6.3

5
India Briefing Issue 28 October 2015

also required to sustain jewelry production; jewelry


remains one of Indias top exports.
Indias Exports in 2015
In the current FY, the U.S. has imported US$42.4
billion worth of Indian products, making the U.S
These factors make India the largest consumer
Indias biggest export market. The second largest
and importer of gold in the world. India needs to
export market for Indian goods is the United
import gold from China, Australia, South Africa,
Arab Emirates, a historical trade route, with India
Russia and the U.S. in order to fulfil its demand.
exporting products worth US$33 billion. Saudi
Meanwhile, importing gold has become easier as
Arabia is another major Middle Eastern market
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has liberalized gold
for India. EU countries also feature prominently
import norms.
the UK, Germany and the Netherlands are major
markets for Indian products, which may in part
India imports a high level of pearls, precious and
be explained by the fact that these countries are
semi-precious stones for the same reasons that make
among Indias top sources of foreign investment.
it a major gold importer. Indian consumers see pearls,
precious and semi-precious stones as culturally
Petroleum
auspicious and a safe investment option. Meanwhile,
In the current FY, Indias largest export has been
pearls, precious and semi-precious stones are an
petroleum products - with the total value of exports
important resource for Indian jewelry production.
reaching US$56.7 billion. Indias oil refining capacity
as of April 2014 placed the country fifth worldwide
In 2014, India was the largest importer of rough
after the U.S, China, Russia and Japan.
diamonds in the world. India is considered as one
of the global centers of diamond cutting and the
While public sector companies are the major
Indian government is now planning to establish
players in the oil and gas sector, private companies
tax-free economic zones for diamond import and
such as RIL, RPR and Essar are also heavily investing.
trading in Mumbai.
Investments by private players are driving up Indias
oil refining capacity each year. A clear illustration
Telecom Instruments of this is the Jamnagar Refinery, a private sector
India is the worlds second largest mobile services
crude oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries in
market; however, domestic telecom instrument
Gujarat state, India.
manufacturing is not well established. More than
50 percent of mobile phones sold in India are
Pearls, Precious Stones,
imported, contributing to imports of telecom
Gold and Other Metals
instruments reaching US$14.7 billion in 2015. Most
The gem and jewelry sector exports US$24.6 billion
domestic Indian telecom companies import from
a year, according to the latest data. The gems and
China, including Micromax and Karbonn, who
jewelry sector in India sources, manufactures and
import almost all of their mobiles from China.
processes precious gemstones and metals such
as diamonds, other precious stones, gold, silver
The Indian government is trying to incentivize
and platinum. The primary role India performs in
domestic manufacturing of telecom instruments
this sector is value addition to precious stones
through tax breaks and research and design (R&D)
and metals.
incentives. These developments are starting to
make an impact: Micromax and Karbonn are now
India is seen as a global hub for the jewelry market
setting up manufacturing plants in India to avail of
due to the availability of relatively low cost and
these schemes. Meanwhile, the government is also
highly skilled labor. The Indian government has
imposing soft trade barriers such as an excise duty
subsequently identified the jewelry sector as a focus
of one percent on mobile phones.
area for export promotion. According to a report by
Research and Markets, the Jewelry Market in India is
Professional Services expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth
Dezan Shira & Associates can help ensure your India business is Ind-AS compliant. Rate of 15.95 percent over the period 2014-2019.
For a consultation, please contact Dezan Shiras accounting professionals at Such projections, combined with a healthy business
environment supported by investor friendly
india@dezshira.com
EXPLORE DETAILS government policies, have encouraged a number

6
Issue 28 October 2015 India Briefing

of recent investments. The most recent high profile


investment was the US$180 million stake U.S.
Stable Trade Environment
India has been one of the largest importers of crude
private equity (PE) firm Warburg Pincuss acquired
petroleum in FY 2015. In the same year, India has
in Kerala-state based Kalyan Jewelers. In addition,
also been one of the largest exporters of petroleum
Gemfields, a UK-based multinational, is planning to
products. These statistics demonstrate a stable
acquire gemstone mines in Odisha and Jharkhand,
level of trade for the oil industry in India. India
while Creador, a multinational private equity firm,
enjoys a similar trade dynamic with gold, precious
recently acquired a US$20.28 million minority stake
and semi-precious stones the jewelry sector
in PC Jeweller Limited, an Indian company.
continues to play a leading role in the global trade.
Encouragingly, however, Indias import-export
Drug Formulations, Biologicals landscape is evolving.
India is among the top six pharmaceutical producers
in the world and exports vaccines to around
The emergence of high levels of telecom instrument
150 countries. Nearly 70 percent of patients in
imports show that consumer spending on these
developing countries receive Indian medicines.
electronics continue to grow. Foreign investors
There are around 10,500 manufacturing units and
that would like to invest in this industry will find
more than 3,000 pharmaceutical companies in India.
high levels of demand, an expanding market and
government support. Meanwhile, the high levels
Several factors make India a successful manufacturer
of pharmaceutical exports show the emergence
and expor ter of pharmaceutical products;
of an important industry for the Indian economy.
manufacturing costs are 35-40 percent lower in
This industry is still growing in the country, but it
India relative to average global manufacturing
will only become more competitive as it adopts
costs, while the government is easing regulations
best in industry practices.
for pharmaceutical companies. The latter has been
outlined in the Pharma Vision 2020 plan established
The stability of Indias import-export landscape is
by the Indian government.
encouraging for foreign businesses considering
investing in the country. However, investors should
Despite this, the domestic industry has been
plan to monitor the evolving nature of imports
subject to a number of import alerts from other
and exports in India to understand the direction
countries in recent years. These alerts are primarily
of Indias economic development.
the result of quality control issues with Indian
manufacturing units.

The industry will need to take some precautions


to remain competitive, but the Indian government
is also taking steps to improve regulations for the
industry. To maintain its trade position, the public
and private sectors will need to improve quality
control mechanisms.

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7
Import and Export
Procedures in India
By Dezan Shira & Associates
Editor: Pritesh Samuel

The Indian government has made efforts to relax Import Procedures


regulations for importers and exporters recently. The Indian Trade Classification Harmonized
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to System (ITC-HS) allows for the free import of most
streamline import and export procedures and goods without a special import license. However,
further revamp laws that may obstruct foreign certain goods that fall under the following
businesses engaged in importing and exporting. categories require special permission or licensing:
This is partly reflected in the new Foreign Trade
Policy 2015-2020, which simplified export schemes Licensed (Restricted) Items: Licensed items can
in the Single Merchandise Exports from India only be imported after obtaining an import license
Scheme (MEIS), Service Exports from India Scheme from the DGFT. These include some consumer
(SEIS) as well as the new freely transferable duty goods such as precious and semi-precious
scrips system. Nevertheless, most basic procedures stones, safety and security products, some
remain the same. agricultural products such as seeds, insecticides,
pharmaceuticals and chemicals, and some
Imports and exports are governed by the Foreign electronic items.
Trade (Development & Regulation) Act 1992 and Canalized Items: Canalized items can only be
Indias Export Import (EXIM) policy. The countrys imported via specified transportation channels
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the and methods, or through government agencies
main governing body responsible for the EXIM such as the State Trading Corporation (STC). These
policy. First time importers and exporters must include petroleum products, bulk agricultural
register with the DGFT and acquire an Importer products such as grains and vegetable oils, and
Exporter Code Number (IEC), which is done by some pharmaceutical products.
submitting the Aayaat Niryaat Form (ANF2A) to Prohibited Items: These goods are strictly
the nearest regional authority via the DGFT online prohibited from import and include tallow fat,
portal, post or in person. Along with the ANF2A animal rennet, wild animals, and unprocessed ivory.
form, the following must also be submitted:
An importer also has to submit a Bill of Entry,
Two passport-sized photographs of the legally which certifies the description and value of goods
responsible person; entering the country. A Bill of Entry should be
Permanent account number (PAN) a ten digit submitted with the following:
number which can be obtained by submitting
an application; The original and duplicate for customs;
Current bank account number; A copy for the importer;
Bankers Certificate. A copy for the bank;
A copy for making remittances.

8
Issue 28 October 2015 India Briefing

Under the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), no including the name of the exporter, invoice
formal Bill of Entry is required (as it is recorded number, consignee, description and quantity of
electronically), but the importer is required to file goods, free on board (FOB) value, etc.
a cargo declaration after prescribing particulars At the same time as submitting a shipping bill/
required for processing of the entry for customs bill of export, other relevant documents must also
clearance. Bills of Entry can be one of three types: be provided, including invoices, export contracts,
and packing lists.
Bill of Entry for Home Consumption This form is A certificate of origin must also be submitted. This
used when the imported goods clear on payment is used to verify where goods have been produced.
of full duty. Home consumption means use
within India. It is informally known as the white Goods can be exported freely if they are not mentioned
bill of entry due to its color. in the classification of ITC (HS). The ITC classification of
Bill of Entry for Housing If the imported goods goods for export is as follows: restricted, prohibited
are not required immediately, importers may and State Trading Enterprise (STE).
store the goods in a warehouse without the
payment of duty under a bond and then clear Restricted Goods
them from the warehouse when required on Before exporting any restricted goods, the exporter
payment of duty. This will enable the deferment must obtain a license explicitly permitting the
of payment of the customs duty until goods are exporter to do so. The restricted goods must be
actually required. This Bill of Entry is printed on exported through a set of procedures detailed in
yellow paper and is thus often called the yellow the license.
bill of entry. It is also called the into bond bill of
entry as the bond is executed for the transfer of Prohibited Goods
goods in a warehouse without paying duty. These are items which cannot be exported. The vast
Bill of Entry for Ex-Bond Clearance The third majority of these include wild animals, and animal
type is for ex-bond clearance. This is used for articles that may carry risk of infection.
clearance from the warehouse on payment of
duty and is printed on green paper. State Trading Enterprise (STE)

Payments can be made to member countries of Certain items can be exported only through
the Asian Clearing Union (excluding Nepal) and designated STEs. The export of such items is subject
in any permitted currency. For all other countries to the conditions specified in the EXIM policy.
payment can be made in any permitted currency,
including Indian Rupees. In addition, certain restrictions apply to the import
and export of goods from and to certain countries.
Export Procedures While most goods can be imported or exported to
The following is required to export from India: countries, India has a Most Favored Nation (MFN)
agreement, making trade with certain countries
A PAN based Business Identification Number (BIN) prohibited as per UN sanctions or international
from the DGFT. This must be acquired before conventions.
filling out a shipping bill or a bill of export for
exported goods. Mode of payment
If exporting by air or sea, a shipping bill must The value of the exported goods is received
be filled out, or if exporting by road, a bill of through a bank in the following ways:
export must be completed. These bills contain
information relevant to exporting from India, Bank draft, pay order, bankers or personal cheques
Foreign currency notes/foreign currency travellers
cheques from the buyer during his visit to India.
Related Reading
Payment out of funds held in the Foreign
For more information on managing your accounting and
Currency Non Resident (FCNR) or Non Resident
bookkeeping in India, please see our related publication on the Rupee (NRE) account maintained by the buyer
subject. DOWNLOAD International Credit Cards of the buyer.

9
Calculating Customs
Duties in India
By Tracie Frost
Editor: Adam Pitman

In the early 1990s, India began economic reforms While the basic customs duty rate is 10 percent,
that have made its trade regime increasingly additional duties bring the aggregate customs
transparent. The reforms have been accompanied duty up to 29.44 percent in 2015. Rates may vary
by a decline in import tariff rates from a peak of depending on the classification of goods. As there
350 percent in June 1991 to a current average of are thousands of goods that are imported into
10 percent. India, it is not feasible to prescribe rates of duty for
each type of merchandise here. However, the basic
However, Indias tariffs are still relatively high by calculation of import duties is as follows:
international standards. High tariffs and import
restrictions have constrained foreign firms from Basic Customs Duty (BCD)
selling in India. They have also prevented investors This duty is levied most commonly ad-valorem,
from importing competitively in several industries. based on the assessed value of the goods. The
duty is calculated on the value of the goods plus
While India has progressively cut duties and taxes, shipping and insurance charges. In general the
domestic industry still enjoys relatively high levels BCD rate is 10 percent. For capital goods, the rate
of protection in several areas. Foreign companies is 7.5 percent. For agricultural goods the rate is
encounter tariff and non-tariff barriers, including between 30 percent and 85 percent. Textile rates
a complex tariff regime. Further, the Indian vary between 10 and 30 percent.
government is not shy about imposing both civil
and criminal penalties for not following customs Countervailing duty (CVD)
regulations. This duty is levied on the assessed value of goods
plus basic customs duty. Goods that fall into this

Duties Explained category are imported goods that are similar to


goods manufactured in India. The tax is levied
Customs or import duties are levied by the national
in lieu of the excise tax that is leviable on goods
government when goods are imported into India.
manufactured in India and is essentially equal to
There is no de-minimis amount. All goods imported
the central excise duty on the goods in question.
into India are subject to duty. The value of imported
In general this rate is 12.5 percent. All products
goods is said to be the transaction value between
imported by Special Economic Zones (SEZ) enjoy
parties.
zero percent CVD.

10
Issue 28 October 2015 India Briefing

Percentage of Amount
Description of Duty
Duty Levied in US $
Value of imported goods
1,000,000
(including freight, insurance, and 1% customs handling fee)
Basic Customs Duty (BCD) 10 % 100,000
Basis for Calculating CVD 1,100,000
Countervailing Duty Rate 12.5 % 137,500
Basis for Calculating Education Cess 237,500
Education Cess 2% 4,750

Secondary Education Cess 1% 2,375


Basis for Calculating Special CVD
1,244,625
(Includes Assessable Value, BCD, CVD, Ed Cess)
Special CVD 4% 49,785
Total Customs Duty 294,410

Special Additional Countervailing Customs Handling Fee


Duty (known as Special CVD) The Indian government assesses a one percent
Special CVD tax is applicable on all items. It is levied customs handling fee on all imports in addition to
at the rate of 4 percent of the basic and the excise the applied customs duty.
duty on all imports in order to countervail the VAT
or sales tax on local goods in India. This duty can Total Duty
be refunded to traders who sell imported goods in Therefore, for most goods, total duty payable = BCD
India after charging VAT/Sales tax. + CVD + Special CVD + Education Cess + Customs
Handling Fee.
Anti-dumping Duty
This is levied on specified goods imported from As an example, we can examine figures for a
specified countries including the U.S. to protect company that imported goods worth US $1,000,000
Indian industries. India can impose duties up to, but not into India. The US $1,000,000 assessed value
exceeding, the margin of dumping, or the difference includes shipping, insurance, and the 1 percent
between the normal value and the export price. customs handling fee. In general, the customs duty
would be calculated as above.
Safeguard Duty
The Indian government may by notification impose Observations
a safeguard duty on articles after concluding that Customs duty rates are revised in each annual
increased imported quantities will cause or threaten budget in February and are published in various
to cause serious injury to domestic industry. The sources; however, there is no single official
government has broad authority to set rates for publication that has all information on tariffs and
safeguard duties not exceeding the amount which tax rates on imports. Furthermore, each state has
has been found adequate to prevent or remedy its own taxes on interstate commerce. As civil
market disruption. and criminal penalties for violation of customs
regulations are severe, it is recommended that
Customs Education Cess individuals and businesses importing goods into
Effective July 2004, India introduced an education
India consult with a professional.
cess (duty). The current rate for the Education Cess
is two percent with the Higher Education Cess set
at one percent of BCD and CVD.

11
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