FEMA – 13/2013-14 – Dated:- 1-7-2013 – RBI/2013-14/13 Master Circular No. 13/2013-14 July 01, 2013 To, All Category – I Authorised Dealer Banks Madam / Sir, Master Circular on Import of Goods and Services Import of Goods and Services into India is being allowed in terms of Section 5 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (42 of 1999), read with Notification No. G.S.R. 381(E) dated May 3, 2000 viz. Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account) Rules, 2000, as amended from time to time. 2. This Master Circular consolidates the existing instructions on the subject of Import of Goods and Services at one place. The list of underlying circulars consolidated in this Master Circular is furnished in Appendix 3. This Master Circular is being issued with a sunset clause of one year. This circular will stand withdrawn on July 1, 2014 and be replaced by an updated Master Circular on the subject. Yours faithfully, (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager INDEX Section A – Introduction Sect
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ough, cut & polished diamonds C.15. Import factoring C.16. Merchanting Trade Annex -1 Annex – 2 Annex-3 Annex- 4 Annex-5 Appendix List of Circulars consolidated in the Master Circular Section A – Introduction (i) Import trade is regulated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India. Authorised Dealer Category – I (AD Category – I) banks should ensure that the imports into India are in conformity with the Foreign Trade Policy in force and Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000 framed by the Government of India vide Notification No. G.S.R.381 (E) dated May 3, 2000 and the Directions issued by Reserve Bank under Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 from time to time. (ii) AD Category – I banks should follow normal banking procedures and adhere to the provisions of Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (UCPDC), etc. wh
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and companies for making payments, exceeding USD 5000 or its equivalent, towards imports into India must be made in Form A-1 (Annex-5) ii) It is clarified that the ADs need not obtain any document, including Form A-1, except a simple letter from the applicant containing the basic information viz., the name and the address of the applicant, name and address of the beneficiary, amount to be remitted and the purpose of remittance, as long as the exchange being purchased is for a current account transaction (and is not included in the Schedules I and II of the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000 framed by Government of India vide Notification No. G.S.R.381 (E) dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time, the amount does not exceed USD 5000 or its equivalent and the payment is made by a cheque drawn on the applicant s bank account or by a Demand Draft. B.3. Import Licenses Except for goods included in the negative list which require licence under the F
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hange acquired has been utilised for import of goods into India, the AD Category – I bank should ensure that the importer furnishes evidence of import viz., Exchange Control copy of the Bill of Entry, Postal Appraisal Form or Customs Assessment Certificate, etc., and satisfy himself that goods equivalent to the value of remittance have been imported. (iii) In addition to the permitted methods of payment for imports laid down in Notification No.FEMA14/2000-RB dated 3rd May 2000, payment for import can also be made by way of credit to non-resident account of the overseas exporter maintained with a bank in India. In such cases also AD Category – I banks should ensure compliance with the instructions contained in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above. B.5. Time Limit for Settlement of Import Payments B.5.1. Time limit for normal imports (i) In terms of the extant regulations, remittances against imports should be completed not later than six months from the date of shipment, except
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instructions in para C.2 of Part III of this Circular. B.6. Import of Foreign exchange / Indian Rupees (i) Except as otherwise provided in the Regulations, no person shall, without the general or special permission of the Reserve Bank, import or bring into India, any foreign currency. Import of foreign currency, including cheques, is governed by clause (g) of sub-section (3) of Section 6 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations 2000, made by Reserve Bank vide Notification No. FEMA 6/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time. (ii) Reserve Bank may allow a person to bring into India currency notes of Government of India and / or of Reserve Bank subject to such terms and conditions as the Reserve Bank may stipulate. B.6.1. Import of foreign exchange into India A person may – (i) send into India without limit foreign exchange in any form other than currency notes, bank notes and travell
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from any place outside India (other than from Nepal and Bhutan), currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs.7,500/- per person. (ii) A person may bring into India from Nepal or Bhutan, currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank notes other than notes of denominations of above Rs.100 in either case. Section C – Operational Guidelines for Imports C.1. Advance Remittance C.1.1. Advance Remittance for import of goods (i) AD Category – I bank may allow advance remittance for import of goods without any ceiling subject to the following conditions: (a) If the amount of advance remittance exceeds USD 200,000 or its equivalent, an unconditional, irrevocable standby Letter of Credit or a guarantee from an international bank of repute situated outside India or a guarantee of an AD Category – I bank in India, if such a guarantee is issued against the counter-guarantee of an international bank of repute situated outside Ind
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ce exceeding USD 100, 000. (ii) All payments towards advance remittance for imports shall be subject to the specified conditions. C.1.2. Advance Remittance for Import of Rough Diamonds (i) AD Category – I bank are permitted to allow advance remittance without any limit and without bank guarantee or standby Letter of Credit, by an importer (other than a Public Sector Company or a Department / Undertaking of the Government of India / State Government/s), for import of rough diamonds into India from the under noted mining companies, viz. a) De Beers UK Ltd, b) RIO TINTO, UK, c) BHP Billiton, Australia, d) ENDIAMA, E. P. Angola, e) ALROSA, Russia, f) GOKHARAN, Russia, g) Rio Tinto, Belgium, h) BHP Billiton, Belgium and i) Namibia Diamond Trading Company (PTY) Ltd. (NDTC). (ii) While allowing the advance remittance, AD bank may ensure the following: (a) The importer should be a recognized processor of rough diamonds as per the list to be approved by Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion
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se of an importer entity in the Public Sector or a Department / Undertaking of the Government of India / State Government/s, AD Category – I bank may permit advance remittance subject to the above conditions and a specific waiver of bank guarantee from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India where the advance payments is equivalent to or exceeds USD 100,000. (iv) AD Category – I banks are required to submit a report in the format annexed (Annex-2) of all such advance remittances made without a bank guarantee or Standby Letter of Credit, where the amount of advance payment is equivalent to or exceeds USD 5,000,000, to the Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, Trade Division, Central Office, Amar Building, Sir. P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001, on a half yearly basis as at the end of September and March every year. The report should be submitted within 15 days from the close of the respective half year. C.1.3. Advance Remittan
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yments should be made strictly as per the terms of the sale contract and are made directly to the account of the manufacturer (supplier) concerned. AD Category – I bank may frame their own internal guidelines to deal with such cases, with the approval of their Board of Directors. In the case of a Public Sector Company or a Department / Undertaking of Central /State Governments, the AD Category – I bank shall ensure that the requirement of bank guaranteehas been specifically waived by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India for advance remittances exceeding USD 100,000. Physical import of goods into India is made within six months (three years in case of capital goods) from the date of remittance and the importer gives an undertaking to furnish documentary evidence of import within fifteen days from the close of the relevant period. It is clarified that where advance is paid as milestone payments, the date of last remittance made in terms of the contract will be reckoned for the pu
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dash; I bank in India, if such a guarantee is issued against the counter-guarantee of a bank of international repute situated outside India, should be obtained from the overseas beneficiary. (b) In the case of a Public Sector Company or a Department/ Undertaking of the Government of India/ State Governments, approval from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India for advance remittance for import of services without bank guarantee for an amount exceeding USD 100,000 (USD One hundred thousand) or its equivalent would be required. (c) AD Category – I banks should also follow-up to ensure that the beneficiary of the advance remittance fulfils his obligation under the contract or agreement with the remitter in India, failing which, the amount should be repatriated to India. C.2. Interest on Import Bills (i) AD – Category – I bank may allow payment of interest on usance bills or overdue interest for a period of less than three years from the date of shipment at the rate
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eplacement imports may be permitted without reference to Reserve Bank, provided the insurance claim relating to the lost goods has been settled in favour of the importer. It may be ensured that the consignment being replaced is shipped within the validity period of the license. C.4. Guarantee for Replacement Import In case replacement goods for defective import are being sent by the overseas supplier before the defective goods imported earlier are reshipped out of India, AD Category-I banks may issue guarantees at the request of importer client for dispatch/return of the defective goods, according to their commercial judgment. C.5. Import of Equipment by Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Companies for their overseas sites AD Category – I bank may allow BPO companies in India to make remittances towards the cost of equipment to be imported and installed at their overseas sites in connection with the setting up of their International Call Centres (ICCs) subject to the following co
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hould not, therefore, make remittances where import bills have been received directly by the importers from the overseas supplier, except in the following cases: (i) Where the value of import bill does not exceed USD 300,000. (ii) Import bills received by wholly-owned Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies from their principals. (iii) Import bills received by Status Holder Exporters as defined in the Foreign Trade Policy, 100% Export Oriented Units / Units in Special Economic Zones, Public Sector Undertakings and Limited Companies. (iv) Import bills received by all limited companies viz. public limited, deemed public limited and private limited companies. C.6.2. Receipt of import documents by the importer directly from overseas suppliers in case of specified sectors As a sector specific measure, AD Category – I banks are permitted to allow remittance for imports up to USD 300,000 where the importer of rough diamonds, rough precious and semi-precious stones has received the import bil
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supplier as above, provided the AD Category – I bank is fully satisfied about the financial standing/status and track record of the importer customer. (ii) Before extending the facility, the AD Category – I bank should obtain a report on each individual overseas supplier from the overseas banker or a reputed overseas credit agency. However, such credit report on the overseas supplier need not be obtained in cases where the invoice value does not exceed USD 300,000 provided the AD Category – I bank is satisfied about the bonafides of the transaction and track record of the importer constituent. C.7. Evidence of Import C.7.1. Physical Imports (i) In case of all imports, where value of foreign exchange remitted/ paid for import into India exceeds USD 100,000 or its equivalent, it is obligatory on the part of the AD Category – I bank through whom the relative remittance was made, to ensure that the importer submits :- (a) The Exchange Control copy of the Bill of En
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I bank may accept, in lieu of Exchange Control copy of Bill of Entry for home consumption, a certificate from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or auditor of the company that the goods for which remittance was made have actually been imported into India provided :- (a) the amount of foreign exchange remitted is less than USD 1,000,000 or its equivalent, (b) the importer is a company listed on a stock exchange in India and whose net worth is not less than Rs.100 crore as on the date of its last audited balance sheet, or, the importer is a public sector company or an undertaking of the Government of India or its departments. (ii) The above facility may also be extended to autonomous bodies, including scientific bodies/academic institutions, such as Indian Institute of Science / Indian Institute of Technology, etc. whose accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). AD Category – I bank may insist on a declaration from the auditor/CEO of such institutio
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rification of the documents evidencing import, e.g. Exchange Control copies of Bills of Entry or Postal Appraisal Forms or Customs Assessment Certificates, etc. (ii) Documents evidencing import into India should be preserved by AD Category – I bank for a period of one year from the date of its verification. However, in respect of cases which are under investigation by investigating agencies, the documents may be destroyed only after obtaining clearance from the investigating agency concerned. C.10. Follow up for Import Evidence (i) In case an importer does not furnish any documentary evidence of import, as required under paragraph C.7. of Part III, within 3 months from the date of remittance involving foreign exchange exceeding USD 100,000, the AD Category – I bank should rigorously follow-up for the next 3 months, including issuing registered letters to the importer. (ii) AD Category – I bank should forward a statement on half-yearly basis as at the end of June &
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/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time. C.12. Import of Gold / Platinum / Silver by Nominated Banks / Nominated Agencies Nominated banks/agencies are permitted to import gold on loan basis, Suppliers Credit/Buyers Credit basis, consignment basis as also on unfixed price basis. However, all imports of gold will necessarily have to be on Documents against Payment (DP) basis. Accordingly, gold imports on Documents against Acceptance (DA) basis will not be permitted. These restrictions will however not apply to import of gold to meet the needs of exporters of gold jewellery. Letters of Credit (LC) to be opened by Nominated Banks / Agencies for import of gold under all categories will be only on 100 per cent cash margin basis. It is clarified that, consequent upon the issue of above instructions, import of gold against suppliers/buyers credit, as also import of gold on unfixed price basis has to necessarily observe the discipline stipulated relating to cash margins and Doc
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.12.2. Import of Gold / Platinum / Silver on unfixed price basis The nominated agency/bank may import gold on outright purchase basis subject to the condition that although ownership of the gold shall be passed on to the importer at the time of import itself, the price of gold shall be fixed later, as and when the importer sells the gold to the users. These instructions would also apply to import of platinum and silver. C.12.3. Direct Import of Gold AD Category – I bank can open Letters of Credit and allow remittances on behalf of EOUs, units in SEZs in the Gem & Jewellery sector and the nominated agencies / banks, for direct import of gold, subject to the following : (i) The import of gold should be strictly in accordance with the Foreign Trade Policy. (ii) The usance period of LCs opened for direct import of gold, should not exceed 90 days and on 100 per cent cash margin basis. (iii) Banker s prudence should be strictly exercised for all transactions pertaining to import of
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all documents pertaining to such transactions must be preserved for at least five years. (v) AD Category – I bank should follow up submission of the Bill of Entry by the importers as stipulated. vi) Head Offices/International Banking Divisions of AD Category -I banks shall henceforth submit the following statements to the Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, Central Office, Trade Division, Amar Building, Fort, Mumbai-400001: (a) Statement on half yearly basis (end March / end September) showing the quantity and value of gold imported by the nominated banks/ agencies/ EOUs/ SEZs in Gem & Jewellery sector, mode of payment-wise, as per Annex 3 ; (b) Statement on monthly basis showing the quantity and value of gold imports by the nominated agencies (other than the nominated banks)/ EOUs/ SEZs in Gem & Jewellery sector during the month under report as well as the cumulative position as at the end of the said month beginning from the 1st mo
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ld loan. (v) SBLC can be opened only on behalf of entities permitted to import gold on loan basis, viz. nominated agencies and 100% EOUs/units in SEZ, which are in the Gem and Jewellery sector. (vi) SBLC should be in favour of internationally renowned bullion banks only. AD Category – I bank can obtain a detailed list of internationally renowned bullion banks from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council. (vii) All other existing instructions on import of gold and opening of Letters of Credit, with usance period not exceeding 90 days, will continue to be applicable. (viii) AD Category – I banks must maintain adequate documentation with them to uniquely link all imports with the SBLC issued for the import of gold on loan basis. ix) The maximum period of gold loan shall be as per the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 or as notified by the Government of India from time to time. x) Accordingly, the maximum tenor of gold loan becomes 270 days at present (i.e. 90 days for manu
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and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidelines, issued by the Reserve Bank are adhered to while undertaking import of the metals and rough, cut and polished diamonds. Further, any large or abnormal increase in the volume of business should be closely examined to ensure that the transactions are bonafide and are not intended for interest / currency arbitrage. All other instructions relating to import of these metals and rough, cut and polished diamonds shall continue. [A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No.83 dated February 20, 2013] C.15. Import factoring (i) AD Category – I bank may enter into arrangements with international factoring companies of repute, preferably members of Factors Chain International, without the approval of Reserve Bank. (ii) They will have to ensure compliance with the extant foreign exchange directions relating to imports, Foreign Trade Policy in force and any other guidelines/directives issued by Reserve Bank in this regard. C.16. Merchanting Trade AD Category &ndas
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h; I banks may note that short-term credit either by way of suppliers credit or buyers credit is not available for merchanting trade or intermediary trade transactions. Appendix List of Circulars consolidated in the Master Circular Import of Goods and Services AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 106 dated June 19, 2003 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 4 dated July 19, 2003 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 9 dated August 18, 2003 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 15 dated September 17, 2003 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 49 dated December 15, 2003 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 66 dated February 6, 2004 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 72 dated February 20, 2004 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 2 dated July 9, 2004 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 34 dated February 18, 2005 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 1 dated July 12, 2005 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 33 dated February 28, 2007 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 34 dated March 2, 2007 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 63 dated May 25, 2007 AP (DIR Series) Circular No. 77 dated June
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