Payment Receipts and SFIS Entitlement for Steamer Agents and Port Trust Clarified

[Policy Circular No. 08 dated 21 June 2018]

Subject: Clarification on SEIS benefits to Steamer Agents, etc.

This Directorate has received representations from Trade & Regional Authorities regarding eligibility of Steamer Agents for benefits under Service Exports from India Scheme.

2. The issue has been examined in this Directorate. On similar issue of eligibility of aggregator/actual service provider for benefits under SFIS/SEIS, this Directorate has earlier issued policy Circular No.6 dated 22.05.2018. In view of the instant references, it is clarified that Service Providers like Steamer Agents, etc. shall be entitled for benefits under Service Exports from India Scheme for the services exclusively rendered bb them and for which the foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) are received and retained by them on account.

3. Such Service Providers cannot claim benefits to the extent of free foreign exchange earnings or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) simply routed through them for make payment or service charges with regard to services rendered by other service providers like Port Trust, etc.

4. The Actual service provider whether it is the Port Trust, or any other, entity is required to get a certificate of receipt of payment for that particular service, the entity which had received the foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) in its account in India.

This issues with the approval of the Director