In case of EPCG authorization: DGFT relaxes provisions of submissions of ‘bill of export’ to SEZ units

A circular is been issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), relaxing the provision of submission of a “Bill of Export” in the case of the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Authorization, as an evidence of export obligation discharge for supplies made to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units.

It was observed that the Foreign Trade Policy requires the submission of a “Bill of Export” for supplies provided to SEZs and the obligation to submit a Bill of Export for supplies delivered to SEZs was recently relaxed under Advance Authorization by Policy Circular No. 39 dated June 7, 2022.

Further, in accordance with Section 2.58 of the FTP 2015-2020 (extended until September 30, 2022), the issue has been investigated and it has been decided to relax the requirement in the case of exports to SEZ units under EPCG Authorization of submitting a “Bill of Export”, prior to April 1, 2015, for all such supplies made.

It is stated that in order to satisfy export obligations under EPCG authorizations, in lieu of a “Bill of Exports” for shipments delivered to SEZ units prior to April 1, 2015, the exporters can provide corroborative documentation. The ARE-I form is included in the corroborative documentation attested by the jurisdictional Central Excise authorities of the EPCG authorization holder; the evidence of receipt of the supplies by the recipient in the SEZ; and the evidence of payment made by the SEZ unit to the EPCG authorization holder.