| Intro | India's trade regime runs on the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (indefinite validity) administered by DGFT. Import entry via ICEGATE under the Customs Act 1962; classification uses ITC(HS) 8-digit codes. Payment terms are constrained by RBI FEMA - advance remittances >USD 500,000 need bank guarantees; export receivables must repatriate within 9 months. |
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| Primary authorities | - DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)FTP administration, IEC, licences, RoDTEP scheme.
- CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)Customs, GST, ICEGATE.
- RBI (Reserve Bank of India)FEMA, remittances, ECB & buyer's credit.
- BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)Mandatory Certification (CRS/ISI/Hallmark).
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| Licensing regimes | - Importer Exporter Code (IEC)Mandatory 10-digit code for any commercial trade. · DGFT
- SCOMET licenceSpecial Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment & Technologies - dual-use. · DGFT
- BIS CRS registrationElectronics (Sch 1 & 2 CRS Order), mandatory before import. · BIS
- Advance AuthorisationDuty-free import of inputs against export obligation. · DGFT
- EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods)Concessional 0% BCD on capital goods against 6x export obligation. · DGFT
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| Prohibited goods | - · Beef & beef products (state-level cattle-slaughter laws).
- · Tallow, animal rennet & pig fat (BIS).
- · Ivory & tiger products (Wildlife Protection Act 1972 + CITES).
- · Poppy seeds from certain origins (NDPS Act).
- · Consumer imports from Pakistan post-Feb 2019 (200% BCD).
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| Restricted goods | - · Gold - only via Nominated Agencies (MMTC, STC, PEC) or authorised banks; 10% BCD + 5% AIDC.
- · IT hardware (laptops, tablets, servers) - import authorisation regime notified Nov 2023.
- · Solar cells & modules - BCD 40%/25% + ALMM (Approved List of Models & Manufacturers) required.
- · Second-hand goods - most require DGFT authorisation.
- · Toys - BIS Toys (Quality Control) Order 2020 mandatory for all imports.
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| Labelling requirements | - · Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 - MRP, importer name & address, country of origin, net qty in metric units.
- · FSSAI licence number on packaged food; nutritional information per FSS (Labelling & Display) Regs 2020.
- · BIS mark on covered products (steel, cement, cables, appliances, cookware).
- · Language: English + one Indian language (state-dependent).
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| Sanctions overlay | - · UN Security Council sanctions (auto-applied under UAPA Section 51A).
- · No comprehensive autonomous programs, but SCOMET denial list mirrors NSG/MTCR/Wassenaar/AG restrictions.
- · Restricted counterparts in Iran/Pakistan/DPRK for sensitive goods.
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| Dispute resolution | Customs disputes - Commissioner (Appeals) → CESTAT → HC → SC. GST via GST Appellate Tribunal (operational from 2024). FEMA violations - RBI compounding or Enforcement Directorate. FTA disputes at bilateral joint committees (India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA). ICC arbitration common in commercial contracts; India acceded to NY Convention with reciprocity & commercial reservations. |
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| Official sources | |
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