Import/Export Industry Notifications

During the lockdown, farmers are finding it very difficult to book trucks and tractors for transporting their produce. Hence, to facilitate that, Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister launched transport aggregator mobile application, Kisan Rath.

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The Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore relief packages under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. This will help the poor to help them fight the battle against the COVID-19 situation. The daily wager, farmers and worker’s condition amid the nationwide lockdown was considered before approving these packages.

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The government is fast-tracking a plan to implement an electronic Bill of Lading. To facilitate the trade documentation process and the continuity of business in a post-coronavirus world, this measure is being considered. The bottleneck situation at the port is attributed to the current manual process. E-BL would smoothen the workflow at the ports.

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With containers stuck in transit for days together, the Indian government has decided to allow some relaxation on the import of drugs. India is not a large pharmaceutical formulation importer and depends on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to make drugs. Under the existing rule, imported drugs that have less than 60 per cent shelf life remaining are not allowed into the country. This rule has been relaxed for the current situation.

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Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, have scrapped import duties on some respiratory equipment from India as a temporary trade-relief measure to fight COVID-19. A group, including Colombia, Paraguay and Ecuador, has scrapped import duties on gas masks and oxygen therapy devices.

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The entities that paid goods and services tax (GST) on advances for events or bookings that got cancelled can claim refunds according to the CBIC. This step is taken as a relief measure towards the tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors, which are facing business loss due to the nation-wide lockdown.

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The paperless customs will help contain the spread of COVID-19 by reducing interface or contact with authorities. Besides reducing costs, the movement of goods out of customs areas after checks become easy. Allowing importers and customs brokers to give electronic out of charge copies of the bill of entry and gate pass, has made customs clearance convenient.

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Treating the period till May 3 as force majeure, Indian Railways declared that they will not charge any demurrage, wharfage, stacking, stabling, detention and ground usage due to the extension of the lockdown period. The national transporter has otherwise been running its freight services non-stop carrying essential commodities across the country.

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