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 aggregator/actual 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 by them and for which the foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) are received and retained by them on this 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 making payment for 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 required to get a certificate of receipt of payment for that particular service, from the entity which had received the foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) in its account in India.

5. This issues with the approval of the Director General of Foreign Trade.
 

Lokesh H D
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade

(Issued from File No.01/61/180/256/AM17/PC-3)