Export/Import Updates!
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Maritime transport carries over 90% of global merchandise trade, totaling 11 billion tons of cargo per year. Digitalizing the sector would bring wide-ranging economic benefits and contribute to a more robust, more sustainable recovery.
CBIC has relaxed the compliance and security requirements for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to get credit as authorised economic operators (AEO).
Container spot rates have been skyrocketing and appear to be decreasing slightly on the main trade lanes, albeit from record-high levels. But it could be too late to save some businesses.
New Dutch quarantine restrictions may push KLM to cancel cargo flights. KLM told the government it would not leave any crew who tested positive in a different country, and if the exemption for the crew were not given, it would cancel all flights requiring an overnight stay – including freighter flights
The Karnataka government has identified Chikkaballapur, Kolar, and Bangalore (Rural) districts as rose onion clusters for encouraging their exports under the Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) of the Centre through various interventions.
Hapag-Lloyd informs that their inland Reefer rates for export only will be increased effective as of February 22, 2021.
Because of construction works in Bremerhaven 2 tracks are closed 7-17h until 29th January. Unfortunately this leads to considerable obstructions in the processing. There could be some delays of the trains from/to Bremerhaven to/from Czechia and Slovakia.
Container Weighing Origin (IWO) Export. The charge applies upon customer request to Carrier haulage shipments. The charges are applicable upon request from the customer and when it is operationally feasible for the carrier at Origin.
Prem Kishan Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, said that On CFS in the last quarter, they had done more than 30,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) in Q3. It is almost 95% of what they were doing earlier.
The 13,092 teu Maersk Essen, en route from China to Los Angeles, lost approximately 750 containers on Saturday during heavy seas, confirmed the carrier.
Analysing rates from Asia to North Europe during a webinar this week, freight rate benchmarking firm Xeneta showed how the average spot price had jumped some 2,000% over the past five years to $8,300. The spread between the spot market rates has reached an “unprecedented” level, with wide-ranging implications for container shippers this year.
British Airways faces a new strike tomorrow at its Heathrow cargo facility. Unite union members are opposing a “fire and rehire” contract strategy the airline is pursuing. The cargo workers have voted for a nine-day sporadic strike over a proposal for new contracts that, claims the union, will see workers lose between £6,000 and £8,000 a year.
The UK Border Force has been asked to vacate a temporary border control post at Ashford International Truck Stop and move to a permanent location as soon as possible.
Sivakumar Kaliannan, Managing Director PSA Mumbai, said, “With growing volumes and services, PSA Mumbai is strengthening its service contributions with the launch of the new direct service to Europe.” “BMCT also boosted domestic repositioning of containers by rail in January 2021, with over 1,600 TEUs handled so far.
Communication has been received from the Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI regarding Reduction of Import Tax to 0% on medical products and suspension of anti-dumping on plastic tubes for vacuum blood collection by Brazil up to 30 June, 2021- regarding. Department of Commerce (DoC) has received a list of 258 items through the Embassy of India in Brazil informing that the Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) under the Ministry of Economy, the Republic of Brazil, in its meeting held on 15 January 2021, has approved a temporary reduction of the import duty to 0% on these 258 products which include vital sign monitors, oxygen sensors, cylinders for storing medical gases and various other medical supplies that are essential to fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic. These measures will come into effect from 16 January 2021.
Regional Authorities of DGFT have initiated daily interactive sessions with the exporters through VCs to address the issues faced by exporters. RAs have issued Trade Notices in this regard.
Effective February 18, 2021, all booking amendments are to be done only through our online channels, including Hapag-Lloyd.com, INTTRA, and EDI. The Booking Amendment Fee will only be applied for manual amendments. The Booking Amendment Fee will not be applicable for special cargo identified as DG, Out of Gauge OOG, or Flexi Tank.
Maersk is Implementing the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) Surcharge for a few containers from India to West African Countries effective 01st February 2021 for All corridors.
Since its initial launch, Otflow has quickly expanded, finding customer bases around the world. Now, the company has expanded further in a new direction with a partnership in India. Minnaar admits that the interest and resulting partnership in India were unexpected, though much appreciated.
JNCH Customs has issued Public Notice No. 7/2021 dated 19 January, 2021 on mandatory uploading of documents in e-Sanchit. As per the Board Circular No. 55/2020-Customs dated 17 December 2020, uploading certain documents in e-Sanchit and declaring their IRN Numbers in the Bill of Entry has become mandatory for certain import items (CTHs) w.e.f. 15 January 2021.
The oral hearing in sunset review investigation concerning imports of “Normal Butanol” from the European Union, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and the USA was scheduled to happen on 21st January 2021 at 1500 Hrs, has now been postponed to 27th January 2021 at 1500 Hrs (IST).
The three new shipping services provided by Evergreen Marine will establish a fast and low-cost shipping logistics channel between the ports in Shandong and Malaysia.
On Thursday, leading exporters from north Kerala formed a new committee under the Kerala Exporters’ Forum to keep them updated on incentives and financial aids given by the Central and State governments for the promotion of export and import.
Space-choked India shippers' eye limited relief from extra Europe capacity. While an extra-loader move is noteworthy, it remains to be seen whether that would be enough to balance out the needs of Indian exporters when cargo rolling has become a serious issue on high-demand routes.
The commerce ministry has recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duty on a Chinese chemical used in dye and pharma industries for five years to guard domestic players from cheap imports.
Container shipping’s capacity crisis has priced some agricultural and chemical commodities out of the market – in favour of breakbulk. As per Estonia-based freight forwarder CF&S, the de-containerisation trend could spread to other cargo categories.
Media speculation indicates that shipping lines could be called to a series of meetings to discuss the container shortage and high rates.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said in a statement on Wednesday that a three-day port review meeting will start from Thursday to discuss a future action plan, including the development of satellite ports by all major ports.
Union Minister of Railways; Commerce & Industry; Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal said that National Logistics Policy, which is under consultation, along with the National Logistics Council and State Logistics Coordination Committee, will work as a template for better coordination and integrated development for logistics centre.
The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC) has been identified as the Nodal Department for implementing the provisions of the Order for the Chemicals and petrochemicals sector for giving preference to local suppliers in public procurement. DCPC has already identified 28 products in which there are sufficient capacity and regional competition, and the procurement of these items is to be made from local suppliers.
CMA CGM informs that peak season surcharge will be effective from 1st February 2021 (date of loading in the origin ports) until further notice.
Maersk Essen, a 13,100TEU vessel has reportedly lost many containers on 16 January while en route to Los Angeles from China.
Poland’s Port of Gdynia, around 15km north of Gdansk on the country’s Baltic coast, competes with its neighbour for cargo volumes. Both ports ramp up their development programmes looking to capture hinterland cargoes.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has declared new rates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, and Pakistan to Europe, valid from 1 February until further notice but not beyond 28 February.
Lack of containers has put brakes on sugar exports from India, said exporters adding that with increasing container movement in the US and China, the number of containers available to Indian exporters is lesser.
Under CM Yogi's guidance, many exporters of the state left no stone unturned to balance the state's economy. With their efforts, Uttar Pradesh successfully maintained the fifth position in the country in terms of exports. Goods like rice, medicines, carpets, silk, fertilizers, sugar, toys, fish products, etc., from the state, have got many orders from abroad.
Exports to the US account for 15-17% of India’s merchandise outbound shipments. Though China is at a distant second, it has improved its position from fourth and third-biggest export destination. China also continues to remain the primary source of our imports, with the US in fifth place.
European produce association Freshfel requests EC trade commissioner Vladis Dombroski to secure fruit and vegetable exports to India without additional paperwork after the Indian government passed a new import law requiring non-GM certification.
Engineering exporters have joined with Indian embassies and missions in North America, including Canada and the US, to carve out a more significant market share and promote India as a global manufacturing hub.
Two high courts (HCs) serve notices on the Union government, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs over the issue of denying rebate on integrated goods and services tax (IGST) paid by exporters enjoying the benefits of advance authorisation (AA) licence. Bombay and Punjab & Haryana HCs have issued these notices.
FIEO is organizing a “Post Budget Discussion on Union Budget 2021-22” in jointly with Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) to enable members to understand the implications of the budget on various key sectors and exports. For more: https://bit.ly/3oXfoxo
In a significant enhancement to its operations, Kottayam port – the first ICD in the country, is all prepared to commence coastal movement of cargo to and from Kochi on a regular note by next month.
Local officials say that 35,000 tons of pomegranates worth $8 million have been exported from southern Kandahar province abroad this year.
AP Maritime Board proposed to allow handling of surplus rice cargo at the new port. It is being opposed by the port workers and barge owners in the fear that gradually the entire lot may be diverted to DWP and the old port faces threat of closure
India provides multiple business opportunities to the US in different sectors, such as manufacturing. The Covid-19 pandemic has offered a new opportunity to the country to work with America to build resilient and reliable supply chains that will have the ability to weather future shocks.
The fishmeal industry, which makes aquatic feeds, has requested the Centre to decrease GST rates on fish meal and its by-products such as fish soluble paste/stick water and fish oil. The current rates are 5% for fish meal, 18% for fish soluble paste and 12% to fish oil.
India is increasing import duties by 5 to 10 per cent on over 50 items, which includes appliances, electronic components, and smartphones in the upcoming budget.
Over one in three containers are being rolled over worldwide during an unprecedented supply chain challenge hitting the liner community. The latest Ocean Insights figures show that most important ports are seeing elevated levels of rollover cargo from November to December.
Shipping lines in Hong Kong have raised issues regarding the disruption and added costs to the Guangdong and Hong Kong Governments on multiple occasions following the reduction of Pearl River Delta barge connections until after Chinese New Year (CNY) next month.
Airfreight rates out of Bangladesh have multiplied lately, spiked by a serious capacity crunch because of coronavirus-linked operational suspensions and growing demand.
Cargo volumes at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) continued to maintain positive momentum as 33,053 tonnes of cargo were processed in December 2020. International shipment grew at 7%, with a throughput of 20,288 tonnes in December 2020, the highest in the last 21 months.
Toughening global supply of soybean and the strike by oilseed workers unions in Argentina helped India record growth in oilmeals exports during December 2020. Export of soybean meal stood at 2,51,221 tonnes and rapeseed meal at 1,41,866 tonnes during December 2020. The cumulative export of soybean meal stood at 8,88,202 tonnes and rapeseed meal at 9,16,715 tonnes during April-December of 2020.
The eligible facility may apply for exemption from Cost Recovery Charges to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner of Customs. The jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner of Customs shall forward the proposal for regularising posts to DGHRD through the respective Principal Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Customs within 15 days.
Maersk introduces the Equipment Management Import (Import) for ALL Cargo in Saudi Arabia, SA effective 13th February 2021 for regulated and 1st February 2021 for non-regulated corridors. Maersk has also included the levels and rate structure for some sample corridors Algeciras, ES to Jeddah, SA valid from the date until further notice. These may be subject to future change.
Reference is invited to DGFT notification no. 09 dated 10.06.2020 restricting the export of Diagnostic Kits/Laboratory of Reagents/Diagnostic Apparatus. The quote for export of VTM Kits or its component elements, RNA Extraction Kits or its component elements, and RT-PCR kits (Covid/non-Covid) or its component elements have been fixed for the period from December 2020 to February 2021.
Hapag-Lloyd has announced that it will implement additional services to ease the build-up of containers in India and also to improve the challenging situation at the port of Colombo which is heavily congested.
India is all prepared to produce surplus sugar for a fifth straight year in 2021/22 as farmers expand sugarcane acreage encouraged by surplus rains and government-backed export incentives.
Equipment shortage has been a challenge for Indian shippers scrambling to keep pace with a stronger-than-expected export turnaround following the lifting of COVID-19-related lockdowns. But there seems to be no shortage of finger-pointing over fixing the supply-demand mismatch that is likely to linger at least into the first months of the year, if not beyond.
As the air freight market warms after a fortnight’s pause, Lufthansa Cargo has blamed a high volume of cargo for its decision to “pause” its capacity guarantee.
Bangladeshi apparel exporters accuse private ICD operators of charging higher fees and taking more time than the CPA for releasing goods.
About 27,000 tonnes of onion has been apparently abandoned at the Chattogram port by importers, as its market price crashed.
Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor) has introduced a container train service from its container terminal at Shalimar, to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT, NhavaSheva). This will act as a gateway port for Eastern India.
The Air Cargo Complex (Sahar) has issued Public Notice No. 32/2020-21 dated 14th January 2021 informing about the AEO Cell in Mumbai Customs Zone- III. Public Notice No. 1/2018 dated 9.2.2018 by ACC, Sahar issued in pursuance of CBIC Circular No. 03/2018 dated 17.1.2018 requesting potential clients for AEO status to submit their duly filled up applications to the PRO Cell, O/o Commissioner of Customs (Import), ACC, Sahar.
In a continued effort to improve the port productivity and optimize the yard space utilization, a suspension of all cargo In-Gauge in Flat Rack is put in place. Cargo in Open top in gauge continues to be accepted for discharge. The new regulation takes place with immediate effect.
MSC has decided to cover the costs so that the vessel operator will not declare General Average. This decision was taken to avoid additional costs or delays for our customers due to this fire incident.
All the scheduled activities leading towards N4 Go-Live have been successfully completed well within the schedule advised. The terminal Rail operations recommenced at 0730hrs, 18th January 2021 and the vessel operations have recommenced, as planned, at 0900hrs, 18th January 2021.
As India’s merchandise exports come back to regularity, two of its key rivals in global markets have surged ahead with greater vigour, beating the Covid-19 blues. While China has pipped India in scripting a resurgence in exports to the US and the EU (excluding the UK), New Delhi’s largest shipment destinations that account for a third of its overseas despatches, Vietnam outpaced even China in the recovery.
The cargo Movement at Goa International Airport showed a steady rise in December handling 576 tonnes of freights. Domestic shipment in December stood at 509 tonnes, while international freight stood at 67 tonnes.
Sources say Shetkari Sanghatana may take on the government again if the onion export ban returns. The Sanghatana had taken part in the agitation to lift the ban on onion exports last month so that growers get a better rate.
Data collated by government agencies stated that around 7% of the products that face trade remedies against cheap, subsidised imports that cause injury to the domestic industry are capital goods. In contrast, only 2% of the finished products face these levies. Many industries have complained of dumping, but have been either unable to prove it or have joined the trend through production facilities in other countries, often accused of selling cheap stuff in India.
The seventh Trade Policy Review of India by WTO discloses that India has become the most attractive destination as a dump yard of the world, but not the most attractive destination for the country's investment. Additionally, the frequent changes made by the government in the policies had created qualms in trade. The period under review covered the period after June 2015 corresponding to Modi rule in the country.
Maersk has decided to withdraw the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for All Reefer Container cargo from Far East Asia Countries to North Europe and Mediterranean Countries effective 1st February 2021 for All Corridors.
The suspension implemented on the import of Indian seafood products by China has cause miseries to Kerala's exporters who are already hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), China has rejected Indian fish consignments alleging detection of COVID-19 traces in them during the past two months. The move followed India’s ban on 267 Chinese mobile apps in the aftermath of the border standoff, said SEAI Kerala chapter president Alex K Ninan.
The eight millionth TEU achieved since its inception in 2009. PSA Chennai offers gratitude to everyone for their support throughout their journey.
SMP Kolkata and HICT, its O&M opt for Container Handling Operations achieved another milestone with a new beginning of containerized laden rake movement of 90 TEU’s to Birgunj, Nepal on 16th January 2021. SPM Port Kolkata thanks all the officers, staff and MSC & CONCOR for their joint endeavour.
FIEO Chief also said that the operationalization of the new RoDTEP effective from January 1, 2021 will remove uncertainty from the minds of the trade and industry and being WTO compatible, the same would provide complete rebating of Indian exports by refunding the taxes including embedded taxes, not rebated through any other mechanism.
Central Government has included jasmine in the list of products with export potential, identified under the ‘Districts as Exports Hubs.”
O/o DGFT has issued Trade Notice No. 38/2020-21 dated 15th January 2021 introducing the online e-PRC System for Application seeking Policy/ Procedure relaxation in terms of Para 2.58 FTP 2015-20.
As per the new policy, higher priority will be given to movement of iron-ore traffic for domestic manufacturing activity
The challenges created over the apparel exporters’ refusal to use the privately-operated Inland Container Depots warrant prompt addressing
India's trade deficit in goods widened to $15.44 billion in December as imports rose to $42.59 billion, pushed by a surge in gold imports, while merchandise exports were up marginally, revised data released by the government on Friday showed.
RoDTEP scheme is being implemented from 1st January 2021, but rates are still awaited/ being worked out by RoDTEP Committee. The committee is asking for RoDTEP data of necessary chemicals even if they are not exported substantially, as they are used as Inputs in the manufacture of other chemicals. Relevant members are requested to take note and please provide data in the specified format (R1, R2, R3) duly attested by 18th January 2021 on e-mail ids: deepak.gupta@chemexcil.gov.in, pwdd@chemexcil.gov.in & rodelhi@chemexcil.gov.in.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India will be organising ‘Prarambh’ -Startup India International Summit -on 15 and 16 January 2021 in a virtual format.
With the full reefer yard density and minimal reefer plug availability in Dalian, China, Maersk’s issues a notification that they will stop all new reefer bookings effective 15th January 2021 into Dalian until further notice.
The preparations towards the N4 Go-Live are progressing as per plan. Phased shut down and re-commencement schedules of multiple facilities at the terminal details have been shared as well.
The Directorate is receiving applications for seeking policy/procedure relaxation in terms of Para 2.58 of FTP 2015-20 in manual form. As part of the organization's IT Revamp, the Directorate has decided to introduce a new module, the online e-PRC system, for seeking policy/procedure relaxation in terms of Para 2.58 of FTP. Hence, starting from 25.01.2021, all applications are mandatorily required to be submitted online through the exporter’s dashboard on the DGFT website.
India’s export grew by 10.92% year-on-year to $11.81 billion in the fortnight ended January 14, driven by growth in pharmaceuticals, engineering, and electronics sectors, indicating a revival in activity.
India’s soymeal exports could jump to more than 2 million tonnes in the 2020/21 year that started on Oct. 1, from 825,000 tonnes shipped the previous year, said Atul Chaturvedi, president of Solvent Extractors Association of India, a mills and refining industry body.
On Friday, Agri exports'' body APEDA in association with the Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan organised a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (VBSM), bringing together stakeholders for strengthening strategic cooperation between India and Azerbaijan in the export of Basmati rice.
India’s trade with China last year fell to the lowest since 2017, with the trade inequity declining to a five-year low on the back of a slump in India’s imports from China.
With effect from 1st February 2021, the Terminal Handling Charges (THC) for both Export THC (THL) and Import THC (THD) at Hazira, India will be revised to the new quantum. The effective date is 1st February 2021. Export (THL) – based on sailing date “ETD from POL”. Import (THD) – based on arrival date “ETA at POD”
The ICD would facilitate movement of cargo to any parts of the country and would be of help for the MSME sector, for the pharma sector of the neighbouring state of Sikkim, for the tea industry and also for the horticulture and agriculture sector of the region. Presence of such a logistic facility would surely encourage fresh industrial investments in north Bengal in the coming days
The shipping line confirmed it had experienced “IT network issues impacting the connectivity across AP Møller-Maersk”.
The DGFT’s “District as Export Hub” initiative is a step forward to identify the potential gaps in each District and draw an actionable roadmap to promote exports. As a part of this exercise, FIEO has been entrusted with preparing District Export Strategies in respect of 20 Districts. In this regard, it is extremely important to have valued views of members covering issues & challenges faced by members in these Districts and suggestions for pushing exports.
The Board has decided to extend the exemption from requirement of furnishing of Bank Guarantee by the carriers for carriage of EXIM cargo for transhipment through foreign territories of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. This relaxation would apply,if the carrier fulfils the requirement of waiver of Bank Guarantee in a like manner, as provided for by Circular No. 45/2005-Customs, dated 24.11.2005
Reiteration of no requirement of filing a Bill of coastal Goods as was clarified as per para 4(a) of the CBIC Circular no. 14/2016-Cus, dated 27.04.2016 consequent to issue of CBIC Notification no. 56/2016(NT) dated 27.04.2016, if the coastal vessels are carrying exclusively coastal goods whether berthing at coastal berth or EXIM berth
The USDA is ending its recognition agreement that had allowed Agricultural, and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority accredited certifiers to provide USDA organic certification in India. The APEDA is an apex body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the government of India. The USDA’s Organic Program (NOP) is changing its approach to oversight of imports from India.
On Tuesday, The US Department of Agriculture upped its forecast of Indian wheat exports for 2020-21 (July-June) to 1.8 million tonnes (mt), as against its earlier estimate of one mt. That would be the highest ever in the last six years.
Congestion in Tincan port is increasing, consequently, until further notice, CMA CGM wishes to stop all reefer shipments to TINCAN port with positive temperature with immediate effect.
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