Exim Policy or Foreign Trade Policy is a set of guidelines and instructions established by

the DGFT in matters related to the import and export of goods in India.
The Foreign Trade
Policy of India is guided by the Export Import in known as in short EXIM Policy of the Indian
Government and is regulated by the Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act, 1992.
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) is the main governing body in matters related to
Exim Policy. The main objective of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act is to
provide the development andregulation of foreign trade by facilitating imports into, and
augmenting exports from India. Foreign Trade Act has replaced the earlier law known as the
imports and Exports (Control) Act 1947.
EXIM Policy
Indian EXIM Policy contains various policy related decisions taken by the government in the
sphere of Foreign Trade, i.e., with respect to imports and exports from the country and more
especially
export promotion measures, policies and procedures related thereto. Trade Policy is prepared
and announced by the Central Government (Ministry of Commerce). India's Export Import
Policy also know as Foreign Trade Policy, in general, aims at developing export potential,
improving export performance, encouraging foreign trade and creating favorable balance of
payments position.
History of Exim Policy of India
In the year 1962, the Government of India appointed a special
Exim Policy Committee to review the government previous export import policies. The
committee was later on approved by the Government of India. Mr. V. P. Singh, the then
Commerce Minister and announced the Exim Policy on the 12th of April, 1985. Initially the EXIM
Policy was introduced for the period of three years with main objective to boost the export
business in India
Exim Policy Documents
The Exim Policy of India has been described in the following documents:

Interim New Exim Policy 2009 - 2010

Exim Policy: 2004- 2009

Handbook of Procedures Volume I

Handbook of Procedures Volume II

ITC(HS) Classification of Export- Import Items

The major information in matters related to export and import is given in the document named
"Exim Policy 2002-2007".

An exporter uses the Handbook of Procedures Volume-I to know the procedures, the agencies
and the documentation required to take advantage of a certain provisions of the Indian EXIM
Policy. For example, if an exporter or importer finds out that paragraph 6.6 of the
Exim Policy is important for his export business then the exporter must also check out the
same paragraph in the Handbook of Procedures Volume- I for further details.

The Handbook of Procedures Volume-II provides very crucial information in matters related
to the Standard Input-Output Norms (SION). Such Input output norms are applicable for the
products such as electronics,engineering, chemical, food products including fish and
marine products, handicraft, plastic and leatherproducts etc. Based on SION, exporters are
provided the facility to make duty-free import of inputs required for manufacture of export
products under the
Duty Exemption Scheme or Duty Remission Scheme.
The
Export Import Policy regarding import or export of a specific item is given in the ITC- HS
Codes or better known as
Indian Trade Clarification Code based on Harmonized System of Coding was adopted in India
for import-export operations. Indian
Custom uses an eight digit ITC-HS Codes to suit the national trade requirements. ITC-HS codes
are divided into two schedules. Schedule I describe the rules and
exim guidelines
related to import policies where as
Export Policy Schedule II describe the rules and regulation related to export policies.
Schedule I of the ITC-HS code is divided into 21 sections and each section is further divided
into chapters. The total number of chapters in the schedule I is 98. The chapters are further
divided into sub-heading under which different HS codes are mentioned.
ITC(Hs) Schedule II of the code contain 97 chapters giving all the details about the
Export Import Guidelines related to the export policies.
Objectives Of The Exim Policy : Government control import of non-essential items through the
EXIM Policy. At the same time, all-out efforts are made to promote exports. Thus, there are
two aspects of Exim Policy; the import policy which is concerned with regulation and
management of imports and the export policy which is concerned with exports not only
promotion but also regulation. The main objective of the Government's EXIM Policy is to
promote exports to the maximum extent. Exports should be promoted in such a manner that
the economy of the country is not affected by unregulated exportable items specially needed
within the country. Export control is, therefore, exercised in respect of a limited number of

items whose supply position demands that their exports should be regulated in the larger
interests of the country. In other words, the main objective of the Exim Policy is:

To accelerate the economy from low level of economic activities to high level of
economic activities by making it a globally oriented vibrant economy and to derive maximum
benefits from expanding global market opportunities.

To stimulate sustained economic growth by providing access to essential raw materials,

intermediates, components,' consumables and capital goods required for augmenting
production.

To enhance the techno local strength and efficiency of Indian agriculture, industry and
services, thereby, improving their competitiveness.

To generate new employment.

Opportunities and encourage the attainment of internationally accepted standards of

quality.

To provide quality consumer products at reasonable prices.

Governing Body of Exim Policy
The Government of India notifies the Exim Policy for a period of five years (1997-2002) under
Section 5 of theForeign Trade (Development and Regulation Act), 1992. The current
Export Import Policy covers the period 2002-2007. The Exim Policy is updated every year on
the 31st of March and the modifications, improvements and new schemes became effective
from 1st April of every year.
All types of changes or modifications related to the EXIM Policy is normally announced by the
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry who co-ordinates with the Ministry of Finance, the
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
and network of
Dgft Regional
Offices.
Exim Policy 1992 -1997
In order to
liberalize imports and boost exports, the Government of India for the first time introduced the
Indian Exim Policy on April I, 1992. In order to bring stability and continuity, the Export Import
Policy was made for the duration of 5 years. However, the Central Government reserves the
right in public interest to make any amendments to the trade Policy in exercise of the powers
conferred by Section-5 of the Act. Such amendment shall be made by means of
a Notification published in the Gazette of India.
Export Import Policy is believed to be an important step towards the economic reforms of
India.
Exim Policy 1997 -2002

With time the Exim Policy 1992-1997 became old, and a

New Export Import Policy was need for the smooth functioning of the Indian export import
trade. Hence, the Government of India introduced a new Exim Policy for the year 1997-2002.
This policy has further simplified the procedures and educed the interface between exporters
and the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) by reducing the number of documents
required for export by half. Import has been further liberalized and better efforts have been
made to promote Indian exports in international trade.
Objectives of the Exim Policy 1997 -2002
The principal objectives of the Export Import Policy 1997 -2002 are as under:

To accelerate the economy from low level of economic activities to high level of
economic activities by making it a globally oriented vibrant economy and to derive maximum
benefits from expanding global market opportunities.

To motivate sustained economic growth by providing access to essential raw materials,

intermediates, components,' consumables and capital goods required for augmenting
production.
To improve the technological strength and efficiency of Indian agriculture, industry and
services, thereby, improving their competitiveness.

To create new employment. Opportunities and encourage the attainment of

internationally accepted standards of quality.

To give quality consumer products at practical prices.

Highlights of the Exim Policy 1997-2002
1. Period of the Exim Policy
This policy is valid for five years instead of three years as in the case of earlier policies. It is
effective from 1st April 1997 to 31st March 2002.
2. Liberalization
A very important feature of the policy is liberalization.
It has substantially eliminated licensing, quantitative restrictions and other regulatory and
discretionary controls. All goods, except those coming under negative list, may be freely
imported or exported.
3. Imports Liberalization
Of 542 items from the restricted list 150 items have been transferred to Special Import
Licence (SIL) list and remaining 392 items have been transferred to Open General Licence
(OGL) List.
4. Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme

 The duty on imported capital goods under

EPCG Scheme has been reduced from 15% to 10%.
Under the zero duty EPCG Scheme, the threshold limit has been reduced from Rs. 20 crore to
Rs. 5 crore for agricultural and allied Sectors
5. Advance Licence Scheme
Under Advance License Scheme, the period for export obligation has been extended from 12
months to 18 months.
A further extension for six months can be given on payment of 1 % of the value of unfulfilled
exports.
6. Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) Scheme
Under the DEPB
Scheme an exporter may apply for credit, as a specified percentage of FOB value of exports,
made in freely convertible currency.
Such credit can be can be
utilized for import of raw materials, intermediates, components, parts, packaging materials,
etc. for export purpose.
Impact of Exim Policy 1997 2002
(a) Globalization of Indian Economy:
The Exim Policy 1997-02 proposed with an aim to prepare a framework for globalizations of
Indian economy. This is evident from the very first objective of the policy, which states. "To
accelerate the economy from low level of economic activities to- high level of economic
activities by making it a globally oriented vibrant economy and to derive maximum benefits
from expanding global market opportunities."

(b) Impact on the Indian Industry:

In the EXIM policy 1997-02, a series of reform measures have been introduced in order to give
boost to India's industrial growth and generate employment opportunities in non-agricultural
sector. These include the reduction of duty from 15% to 10% under EPCG scheme that enables
Indian firms to import capital goods and is an important step in improving the quality and
productivity of the Indian industry.
(c) Impact on Agriculture:
Many encouraging steps have been taken in the Exim Policy 1997-2002 in order to give a boost
to Indian agricultural sector. These steps includes provision of additional SIL of 1 % for export
of agro products, allowingEOUs and other units in EPZs in agriculture sectors to 50% of their
output in the domestic tariff area (DTA) on payment of duty.
(d) Impact on Foreign Investment.

In order to encourage foreign investment in India, the Exim Policy 1997-02 has permitted 100%
foreign equity participation in the case of 100% EOUs, and units set up in EPZs.
(e) Impact on Quality up gradation:
The SIL entitlement of exporters holding ISO 9000 certification has been increased from 2% to
5% of the FOB value of exports, which has encouraged Indian industries to undertake research
and development programmers and upgrade the quality of their products.
(f) Impact on Self-Reliance:The Exim Policy 1997-2002 successfully fulfills one of the Indias long terms objective of Selfreliance. The Exim Policy has achieved this by encouraging domestic sourcing of raw materials,
in order to build up a strong domestic production base. New incentives added in the Exim
Policy have also added benefits to the exporters.
Exim Policy 2002 2007
The Exim Policy 2002 - 2007 deals with both the export and import of merchandise and
services. It is worth mentioning here that the Exim Policy: 1997 - 2002 had accorded a status of
exporter to the business firm exporting services with effect from1.4.1999. Such business firms
are known as Service Providers.
Objectives of the Exim Policy: 2002 - 2007
The main objectives of the Export Import Policy 2002-2007 are as follows:
1.

To encourage economic growth of India by providing supply of essential raw materials,

intermediates, components, consumables and capital goods required for augmenting
production and providing services.
2.
To improve the technological strength and efficiency of Indian agriculture, industry and
services, thereby improving their competitive strength while generating new
employment opportunities and encourage the attainment of internationally accepted
standards of quality; and
3.
To provide consumers with good quality products and services at internationally
competitive prices while at the same time creating a level playing field for the domestic
producers.
Main Elements of Exim Policy 2004-2009
The new Exim Policy 2004-2009 has the following main elements:

Preamble

Legal Framework

Special Focus Initiatives

Board Of Trade

General Provisions Regarding Imports And Exports

Promotional Measures

Duty Exemption / Remission Schemes

Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme

Export Oriented Units (EOUs),Electronics Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPS), Software

Technology Parks (STPs) and Bio-Technology Parks (BTPs)

Special Economic Zones

Free Trade & Warehousing Zones

Deemed Exports
Permeable of Exim Policy 2004-2009: It is a speech given by the Ministry of Commerce and
Industries. The speech for the Exim Policy 2004-2009 was given by Kamal Nath, on 31ST
AUGUST, 2004.
Legal Framework of Exim Policy 2004-2009
1.1 Preamble
The Preamble spells out the broad framework and is an integral part of the Foreign Trade
Policy.
1.2 Duration
In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 5 of The Foreign Trade (Development and
Regulation Act), 1992 (No. 22 of 1992), the Central Government hereby notifies the Exim Policy
for the period 2004-2009 incorporating the Export Import Policy for the period 2002-2007, as
modified. This Policy shall come into force with effect from 1st September, 2004 and shall
remain in force up to 31st March, 2009, unless as otherwise specified.
1.3 Amendments
The Central Government reserves the right in public interest to make any amendments to this
Policy in exercise of the powers conferred by Section-5 of the Act. Such amendment shall be
made by means of a Notification published in the Gazette of India.
1.4 Transitional Arrangements
Notifications made or Public Notices issued or anything done under the previous Export /
Import policies and in force immediately before the commencement of this Policy shall, in so
far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Policy, continue to be in force
and shall be deemed to have been made, issued or done under this Policy.
Licenses, certificates and permissions issued before the commencement of this Policy shall
continue to be valid for the purpose and duration for which such licence; certificate or
permission was issued unless otherwise stipulated.
1.5 Free Export Import
In case an export or import that is permitted freely under Export Import Policy is subsequently
subjected to any restriction or regulation, such export or import will ordinarily be permitted
notwithstanding such restriction or regulation, unless otherwise stipulated, provided that the
shipment of the export or import is made within the original validity of an irrevocable letter of
credit established before the date of imposition of such restriction.

Special Focus Initiative of Exim Policy 2004-2009

With a view to doubling our percentage share of global trade within 5 years and expanding
employment opportunities, especially in semi urban and rural areas, certain special focus
initiatives have been identified for agriculture, handlooms, handicraft, gems & jewellery,
leather and Marine sectors.
Government of India shall make concerted efforts to promote exports in these sectors by
specific sectoral strategies that shall be notified from time to time.
Board of Trade of Exim Policy 2004-2009
BOT has a clear and dynamic role in advising government on relevant issues connected with
foreign trade.

To advise Government on Policy measures for preparation and implementation of both

short and long term plans for increasing exports in the light of emerging national and
international economic scenarios;

To review export performance of various sectors, identify constraints and suggest

industry specific measures to optimize export earnings;

To examine existing institutional framework for imports and exports and suggest
practical measures for further streamlining to achieve desired objectives;

To review policy instruments and procedures for imports and exports and suggest steps
to rationalize and channelize such schemes for optimum use;

To examine issues which are considered relevant for promotion of Indias foreign trade,
and to strengthen international competitiveness of Indian goods and services; and

To commission studies for furtherance of above objectives.

General Provisions Regarding Exports and Imports of Exim Policy 2004-2009
The Export Import Policy relating to the general provisions regarding exports and Imports is
given in Chapter-2 of the Exim Policy.
Countries of Imports/Exports - Unless otherwise specifically provided, import/ export will be
valid from/to any country. However, import/exports of arms and related material from/to Iraq
shall be prohibited.
The above provisions shall, however, be subject to all conditionality, or requirement of
licence, or permission, as may be required under Schedule II of ITC (HS).
Promotional Measures of Exim Policy 2004-2009
The Government of India has set up several institutions whose main functions are to help an
exporter in his work. It would be advisable for an exporter to acquaint him with these
institutions and the nature of help that they can provide so that he can initially contact them
and have a clear picture of what help he can expect of the organized sources in his export
effort. Some of these institution are as follows.

Export Promotion Councils

Commodity Boards
Marine Products Export Development Authority
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO)
National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI)
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC)
Export-Import Bank
Export Inspection Council
Indian Council of Arbitration
Federation of Indian Export
Organizations
Department of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics
Directorate General of Shipping
Freight Investigation Bureau
Duty Exemption / Remission Schemes of Exim Policy 2004-2009
The Duty Exemption Scheme enables import of inputs required for export production. It
includes the following exemptionsDuty Drawback: - The Duty Drawback Scheme is administered by the Directorate of
Drawback, Ministry of Finance. Under Duty Drawback scheme, an exporter is entitled to claim
Indian Customs Duty paid on the imported goods and Central Excise Duty paid on indigenous
raw materials or components.
Excise Duty Refund: - Excise Duty is a tax imposed by the Central Government on goods
manufactured in India. Excise duty is collected at source, i.e., before removal of goods from
the factory premises. Export goods are totally exempted from central excise duty.
Octroi Exemption: - Octroi is a duty paid on manufactured goods, when they enter the
municipal limits of a city or a town. However, export goods are exempted from Octroi.

The Duty Remission Scheme enables post export replenishment/ remission of duty on inputs
used in the export product.
DEPB: Duty Entitlement Pass Book in short DEPB
Rate is basically an export incentive scheme. The objective of DEPB Scheme is to neutralize
the incidence of basic custom duty on the import content of the exported products.
DFRC
Under the Duty Free Replenishment Certificate (DFRC) schemes, import incentives are given to
the exporter for the import of inputs used in the manufacture of goods without payment of

basic customs duty. Duty Free Replenishment Certificate (DFRC) shall be available for exports
only up to 30.04.2006 and from 01.05.2006 this scheme is being replaced by the
Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA).
DFIA: Effective from 1st May, 2006, Duty Free Import Authorisation or DFIA in short is issued
to allow duty free import of inputs which are used in the manufacture of the export product
(making normal allowance for wastage), and fuel, energy, catalyst etc. which are consumed or
utilised in the course of their use to obtain the export product. Duty Free Import Authorisation
is issued on the basis of inputs and export items given underStandard Input and Output
Norms(SION).
Export Oriented Units
(EOUs), Electronics Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs), Software TechnologyParks(STPs)
And Bio-Technology Parks (BTPs) of Exim Policy 2004-2009
The Export Import Policies relating to Export Oriented Units
(EOUs) Electronics Hardware Technology Parks(EHTPs), Software Technology Parks (STPs) and
Bio-technology parks (BTPs) Scheme is given in Chapter 6 of the Foreign Trade
Policy. Software Technology Park(STP)/Electronics Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) complexes
can be set up by the Central Government, State Government, Public or Private Sector
Undertakings.
Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) of Exim Policy 2004-2009
Introduced in the EXIM policy of 1992-97,
Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) enable exporters to import machinery and
other capital goods for export production at concessional or no customs duties at all. This
facility is subject to export obligation, i.e., the exporter is required to guarantee exports of
certain minimum value, which is in multiple of total value of capital goods imported.
Capital goods imported under EPCG Scheme are subject to actual user condition and the same
cannot be transferred /sold till the fulfillment of export obligation specified in the licence. In
order to ensure that the capital goods imported under EPCG Scheme, the licence holder is
required to produce certificate from the jurisdictional
Central Excise Authority (CEA) or Chartered Engineer (CE) confirming installation of such
capital goods in the declared premises.
Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
under the Exim Policy 2004-2009
A Special Economic Zone in short SEZ is a geographically distributed area or zones where the
economic laws are more liberal as compared to other parts of the country. SEZs are proposed
to be specially delineated duty free enclaves for the purpose of trade, operations, duty and
tariffs. SEZs are self-contained and integrated having their own infrastructure and support
services.
The area under 'SEZ' covers a broad range of zone types, including Export Processing Zones

(EPZ), Free Zones (FZ), Industrial Estates (IE), Free Trade Zones (FTZ), Free Ports, Urban
Enterprise Zones and others.
In Indian, at present there are eight functional Special Economic Zones located at Santa Cruz
(Maharashtra), Cochin (Kerala), Kandla and Surat (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu),
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Falta (West Bengal) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) in India.
Further a Special Economic Zone at Indore ( Madhya Pradesh ) is also ready for operation.
Free Trade & Warehousing Zones of Exim Policy 2004-2009
Free Trade & Warehousing Zones (FTWZ) shall be a special category of Special Economic
Zones with a focus on trading and warehousing. The concept of FTWZ is new and has been
recently introduced in the five-year foreign trade policy 2004-09. Its main objective is to
provide infrastructure for growth of the economy and foreign trade. Free Trade & Warehousing
Zones (FTWZ) plays an important role in achieving global standard warehousing facilities as
free trade zones. Free Trade & Warehousing Zones is a widely accepted model with a history of
providing Substantial encouragement to foreign trade and warehousing activity.
Deemed Exports under the Exim Policy 2004-2009
Deemed Export is a special type of transaction in the Indian Exim policy in which the payment
is received before the goods are delivered. The payment can be done in Indian Rupees or in
Foreign Exchange. As thedeemed export is also a source of foreign exchange, so the
Government of India has given the benefit duty free import of inputs.