Emails that are not meant for me: FTP Guidelines on Date of Import

Dear Customer,

We would like to highlight the guidelines outlined in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), as on the date of import/export.

As per Foreign Trade Policy ’23 clause 1.05 b, item-wise Import/Export Policy is outlined in ITC (HS) Schedule I and Schedule II respectively. The importability/exportability of a particular item is governed by the policy as on the date of import/export. The date of import/export is defined in para 2.17 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP 2023), which states the Date of Reckoning of Import/Export as given below:

(a)	Date of Reckoning of Import is decided based on the date of shipment/dispatch of goods from the supplying country as given in Paragraph 11.11 of the Handbook of Procedures and not the date of arrival of goods at an Indian port.
(b)	Date of Reckoning of Export is decided based on the date of shipment/dispatch of goods from India as given in Paragraph 11.12 of the Handbook of Procedures. However, for benefit under FTP, Let Export Order (LEO) date shall be the Date of Reckoning of Export.

As per 11.11 of the Handbook of Procedures, date of shipment/dispatch with respect to Imports, will be reckoned as under:

S.No	Mode of Transportation	Date of Shipment/Dispatch
i	By Air	Date of relevant Airway Bill, provided this represents date on which goods have left the last airport in the country from which the import is effected.
ii	From landlocked countries	Date of dispatch of goods by rail, road or other recognised modes of transport to consignee in India through consignment basis.
iii	By Post Parcel	Date stamp of the office of dispatch on the packet or dispatch note.
iv	By Registered Courier Service	Date affixed on Courier Receipt/Waybill.
v	Multimodal Transport	Date of handing over goods to the first carrier in a combined transport Bill of Lading.

In view of the above, customers are advised to route advance import payment under Purpose code S0101 (Advance payment against imports made to countries other than Nepal and Bhutan) only if the import of goods has not been effected.

If the payment is after the date of shipment/dispatch as per the above table, the payment must be effected as direct import payment under Purpose code S0102 (Payment towards imports settlement of invoice other than Nepal and Bhutan) basis commercial invoice and transport document.

Your prompt attention to complying with the Foreign Trade Policy guidelines and your commitment to ensure compliance with the regulatory directives is appreciated.

For any queries or clarifications, contact your Relationship Manager.

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