DGFT Removes Curbs on Export of Surgical Masks, Medical Coveralls

· Restricted exports of N-95/FFP2 masks to be allowed; monthly export quota fixed at 50 lakh units

The government has changed the export policy for 2/3 ply surgical masks and medical coveralls of all classes and categories, including medical coveralls for Covid-19, by moving them from ‘restricted’ to ‘free’ category.

The export policy of N-95/FFP2 masks, or their equivalent masks, has also been revised from ‘prohibited’ to ‘restricted’ category and a monthly export quota of 50 lakh units has been fixed, as per a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) published on Tuesday.

“.... the export policy of 2/3 Ply Surgical masks, medical coveralls of all classes and categories (including medical coveralls for COVID-19) is amended from ‘restricted’ to ‘free’ category and these coveralls (including gowns and aprons of all types) are now freely exportable,” the notification said.

Medical goggles continue to remain in restricted category with monthly quota of 20 lakh units and Nitrile/NBR gloves continue to remain prohibited, it added.

For issue of export licences for exporting the monthly quota of 50 lakh units of N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent, the notification said that criteria for eligibility of applicants will be separately issued in a Trade Notice.

The export policy of N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent masks is revised from ‘Prohibited’ to ‘Restricted’ category. A monthly export quota of 50 lakh units has been fixed for N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent, for issuing export licences to eligible applicants as per the criteria to be separately issued in a trade notice.

[DGFT Notification No. 29/2015-2020 dated 25 august 2020]

Effect of this Notification: Notification No. 21 dated 28.07.2020 is amended to the extent that the export policy of 2/3 Ply Surgical masks, medical coveralls of all classes and categories (including medical coveralls for COVID-19) is amended from “Restricted” to “Free” category and these coveralls ( including gowns and aprons of all types) are now freely exportable. Medical goggles continue to remain in restricted category with monthly quota of 20 Lakh units and Nitrile/NBR gloves continue to remain prohibited.

The export policy of N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent masks is revised from “Prohibited” to “Restricted” category. A monthly export quota of 50 lakh units has been fixed for N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent, for issuing export licenses to eligible applicants as per the criteria to be separately issued in a Trade Notice.

Subject: Amendment in Export Policy of Personal Protection Equipment/Masks

S.O. (E) In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (No. 22 of 1992), as amended, read with Para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20, the Central Government hereby makes following amendment in the Notification No. 21 dated 28.07.2020 amending the Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Export Policy 2018 related to the export of Personal Protection Equipments/Masks, as under:

Serial Number	ITC HS Codes	Description	Export Policy	Policy Condition
	901850 901890 9020 392690 621790 630790	Following Personal Protection Equipments (PPEs) exported either as part of kits or as individual items –
		1. Medical Coveralls of all Classes/Categories	Free	PPE medical coveralls are freely exportable.
		2. Medical Goggles	Restricted	Monthly export quota of 20 Lakh units of Medical Goggles
207 A		3. N95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent	Restricted	Monthly export quota of 50 Lakh units
		4. All masks (Except N95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent)	Free	All masks (except N95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent) are freely exportable
		5. Nitrile/NBR Gloves	Prohibited
		6. Face Shields	Free	Face Shields are freely exportable

(Issued from File No. 01/91/180/21/AM20/EC/E-21933)