Norms for Import of 5 lakh tonne Maize at Concessional Duty Released
The
government has notified norms for import of 5 lakh tonne
of maize this year at a concessional customs duty of 15 per cent, a move aimed
at increasing availability of the commodity in the domestic market.
These
imports are permitted under Tariff Rate Quota Scheme in which the government
allows imports of four products, including maize (corn), at concessional rates
of customs duty.
It
has also notified the norms for imports of 10,000 tonne
of milk and cream powder for this year at a concessional duty of 15 per cent.
Besides,
1.5 lakh tonne each of refined rape, colza or mustard
oil and crude sunflower seed or safflower oil will be imported at 45 per cent
and 50 per cent duty, respectively.
In
a notification, the Department of Revenue has said it "seeks to prescribe
the manner and modalities in respect of WTO (World Trade Organization)
committed in-quota tariffs on specified items".
At
present, maize attracts 50 per cent import duty.
India
has been traditionally a major corn exporter to southeast
Asia but drought and rising domestic demand led to cut in export supplies.
Poultry sector and starch manufacturers are the major consumer of maize.
[Notification No.
28/2020 –Customs
dated 23rd June 2020]
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Government, so to do, hereby exempts the goods of the description specified in column (3) of the Table below, and falling within the sub-heading or tariff item of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act,
1975 (51 of 1975), as are specified in the corresponding
entry in column (2) of the said Table in such quantity of total imports of such goods in a financial year, as specified in column (4) below (herein after referred to as the ‘tariff rate quota (TRQ) quantity’), when imported into India, from so much of the duty
of customs leviable
thereon under the said First
Schedule as is in excess of the amount calculated at the rate specified in the corresponding entry in
column (5) of the said Table (herein after referred to as the In-quota tariff rate), subject to any
of the
conditions, specified in the Annexure to this notification, the condition number of which is mentioned in the corresponding entry in column (6) of the said Table; namely:-
|
Table |
|||||
|
S.No. |
Sub–heading
or tariff item |
Description of goods |
Tariff rate
quota Quantity |
In-quota
tariff rate |
Condition
No. |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
|
1. |
0402 10 or 0402
21 00 |
Milk and cream in powder,
granules
or
other solid forms, (a) of a fat content by
weight not exceeding 1.5%; (b) of a fat content, by weight,
exceeding 1.5% - not containing
added sugar or other sweetening matter |
10000 MT |
15 per
cent |
(i) |
|
2. |
1005 90 |
Maize (corn), other than seed quality |
500000 MT |
15 per
cent |
(i) and (ii) |
|
3. |
1512 11 |
Crude sunflower seed or safflower oil and fractions
thereof |
150000 MT |
50 per
cent |
(i) |
|
4. |
1514 19 or 1514
99 |
Refined rape, colza or mustard oil and fractions
thereof |
150000 MT |
45 per
cent |
(i) |
|
Annexure |
|
|
Condition No. |
Condition |
|
(i) |
(a) The TRQ is allotted to the importer by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade,
in
accordance with paragraph 2.62 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2015-20. (b) The TRQ authorization shall contain name and address of the importer, IEC
code, Customs notification No., sub-heading or tariff item as applicable, quantity and
validity period of certificate. (c) The TRQ authorization shall be issued electronically by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and transmitted to ICES system. (d) Imports made against the TRQ shall be allowed only upon debiting the TRQ
quantity electronically in the ICES system. |
|
(ii) |
Whereas the Hon’ble High Court of judicature at Hyderabad for the State of
Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh vide order dated 31.12.2014 in WPMP
No.43494 of 2014 and W.P.No.34771 of 2014, has permitted import of maize only on
actual user condition and on payment of Customs duty
prevailing, but not TRQ Customs duty, subject to further orders in the Writ Petition. Accordingly, TRQ on Maize shall be subject to order by Hon’ble High Court in the said Writ Petition. |
[F. No.
354/24/2020- TRU]