POLICY CIR NO. 23/2007, DT. 31/12/2007

Import of Sandal Wood (44039922)

Attention is invited to Exim Code No. 44039922 of the ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import Items, 2004-09 (Schedule I). Import of sandalwood (Exim Code No.44039922) shall be subject to the following procedure. This procedure is notified in supersession of this office Policy Circular No.1 (RE-2006)/2004-2009 dated 7.4.2006:

2. Import of Sandal Wood under Exim Code No. 44039922 will be restricted and subject to a ceiling of 4795 Metric Tonnes [OLD- 5,000 cum ] in each licensing year. Imports will be permitted only against an Import License issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The Import License shall be issued in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Forest. The ceiling of Sandal Wood for each financial year will be monitored by the Ministry of Environment and Forest to ensure that it is not exceeded. The license will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue. No further revalidation of such license shall be allowed.

(In para 2, annual ceiling for import of Sandal Wood amended as "4795 Metric Tonnes" vide POLICY CIR NO. 08/2008, DT. 04/06/2008)

3. The following procedure will be followed for obtaining an Import License :

(i) Applicant will submit the application in the Aayaat Niryaat Form to the DGFT (Headquarters office), Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi-110 011.

(Please refer POLICY CIR NO. 32/2007, DT. 13/03/2008 for Import of Sandalwood-cut off date for filing applications (44039922) - above 3(i))

(ii) The applicant will be required to declare the quantity of sandalwood and their specifications to be imported species-wise, quantity-wise and the country from which it is to be imported.

(iii) The purpose of import must be specified. If the importer is having sandalwood-based unit, it must be legally established and registered with the concerned State / UT Forest Department.

(iv) In case the importer is a trader not having his own sandalwood based unit, the past performance and antecedents must be given for necessary verification.

(v) Utilisation Certificate specifying the details and necessary ‘Transit Permit’ regarding the earlier import must be specified by the applicant, for seeking permission for import of sandalwood second time.

4. All import consignments of sandalwood must be accompanied with the following documents:

(i) The ‘Certificate of Origin’ from the country of export;

(ii) The necessary phytosanitary certificate; and

(iii) A certificate from the Government authorities of country of export stating that export of sandalwood is legally permitted from the concerned country.

Before clearance of the import consignment, the customs authorities are required to verify the above documents.

5. Applications for issuance of license would be considered by the Exim Facilitation Committee on merits and shall be subject to such conditions which the Committee may specify.

6. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

Sd/-

(O.P.Hisaria)
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade

(F.No. 01/89/180/001/AM06/PC-IA)

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