Advance Authorization Scheme
Advance Authorization Scheme
Advance Authorization Scheme
It is always preferable to maintain a favourable balance of trade, i.e., the value of exports should be greater
than the value of imports. The government has introduced various schemes to boost exports made by the
country.
All export and import-related activities are governed by the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), which is aimed at
enhancing the country’s exports and use trade expansion as an effective instrument of economic growth and
employment generation.
The present Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020) aims to keep in line with the ‘Make in India’ vision and
support exports made by Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), etc. It also
contains various export promotion schemes which involve either the exemption or remission of customs
duty. The Advance Authorization Scheme is one such export promotion scheme.
Inputs that are physically incorporated in the product to be exported after making normal allowance
for wastage
Fuel, oil, catalysts which are consumed or utilized to obtain the export product.
Mandatory spares that are required to be exported along with the resultant export product – up to
10% of the CIF value (Cost, Insurance and Freight) of Authorization
Specified spices would be allowed to be imported duty-free only for activities like crushing,
grinding, sterilization, manufacture of oil or oleoresin and not for simpler activities like cleaning,
grading, re-packing, etc.
Physical exports
Intermediate supply
Supplies made to specified categories of deemed exports
Supply of ‘stores’ on board of a foreign going vessel/aircraft provided that there are specific
Standard Input Output Norms (SION) in respect of items supplied.
Standard Input Output Norms (SION) notified: The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), on the
recommendation of the Norms Committee, issues standard norms that define the amount of input required in
the manufacture of a unit of the output product that will be exported. It is available for a wide range of
products.
1. Self-declaration: Sometimes the SION is not available for a particular product. In such a case, an
application may be made to the Regional Authority who will issue the Advance Authorization upon
review.
2. Application prior to fixation of the norm by the Norms Committee: Another option available to
an exporter where the SION is not defined is to make an application to the norms committee,
requesting the same. After providing all the required data to the norms committee, the committee
shall endeavour to either fix these norms or provide ad-hoc norms on the basis of the application
made. Such ad-hoc norms are valid for one authorization only and no repeat authorizations can be
issued.
3. Self Ratification Scheme: Advance Authorization under this Scheme is available only to an
exporter who holds the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certificate under Common
Accreditation Programme of CBEC. This Scheme can be opted for when there is no SION or valid
ad-hoc norms for an export product and also where, SION has been notified, but the exporter wishes
to use additional inputs in the manufacturing process. Ratification by the norms committee is not
required under this scheme and the regional authority may issue Advance Authorization upon
fulfilment of the relevant conditions.
Where certain items are supplied free of cost by the foreign buyer, its notional value will be added in
the CIF value of import and FOB value of export for the purpose of calculating Value Addition.
Irrespective of the currency of realization, Exports to SEZ units/supplies to developers/co-developers
would be covered.
10.Export Obligation
The whole reason behind allowing duty-free inputs is to boost exports. The entity will incorporate
these acquired inputs into a product so that it may be exported.
Export Obligation (EO) in the case of Advance Authorisation is the value of export that needs to
compulsorily be achieved within a prescribed time period. The EO is usually mentioned in the
Authorisation issued. After achieving the EO, the entity has to provide evidence of the same. Not
achieving the EO in the prescribed time period could result in penalties. Other export promotion
schemes like the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme have different conditions when it
comes to the export obligation.