Betel Nut Import under Advance Authorisation – SION Tightened

[DGFT Public Notice No. 112 dated 15^th May 2012]

Subject: Areca nut (i.e. Betel nut) under SIONs (including Leather SIONs), disallowing import thereof

In exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014 and Paragraph 1.1 of Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1), the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby notifies the following amendment in the Handbook of Procedures, Vol.2, 2009-2014:

2. The following General Note (No. 9) is added to the General Notes for Leather and Leather Products (Product: G) of the Standard Input Output Norms (SION) book after General Note No. 8.

“9. Areca nut (i.e. Betel nut) shall be permitted for imports

(a) only if Areca nut (i.e. Betel nut) is specifically mentioned in the SIONs;

Or

(b) by actual users either when this input item is specifically mentioned in the SION of the respective export product or when Areca nut (i.e. Betel nut) technically falls under the ‘generic description’ given in a specific SION (like under G7, G46), though not mentioned specifically.

3. For greater clarity, this General Note (No. 9 of Leather and Leather Products (Product: G)) given in para 2 above will also be included as General Note No. 12 to the General Notes for all Product Groups, below the existing General Note No. 11.

4. Effect of this Public Notice:

Henceforth, import of Areca nut (i.e. Betel nut) as an input would be permitted only when it is by an actual user; or by anybody (including the actual user) if it is specifically mentioned in the SION of the export product.