Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of
Foreign Trade
17thJanuary, 2020
TRADE NOTICE NO. 46/2019-20
To
1. Members of Trade/lndustry/EPCs/Other Trade and Industry Bodies
2. Regional Authorities (RAs) of DGFT
3. Customs Commissionerates
4. Joint Secretary (Customs), CB1C, Department of Revenue
Subject: Mis-classification goods under 'Others’ category at the time of Import- reg.
Vide Trade Notice No. 37/2019 dated 22.10.2019 members of the Trade and Industry
were advised to be careful while filing their Bill of entry at the time of
import and were advised to mention specific HS Codes at 8 digit level, where
they exist instead of using the 'Others’ category. It was also informed that
many importers are not doing due diligence in mentioning correct HS codes at 8
digit level at the time of import and are casually using the HS Code for
“Others” category, which is a residual code category.
2. However, despite clear advisory in the Trade Notice No. 37/2019, it has been
noted that imports under 'Others' category continue to be widely used in the
Bills of Entry. Accordingly, it is reiterated that all importers should file
their Bills of Entry with specific codes available for the imported items under
ITC(HS). 2017, Schedule - I (Import Policy) at 8 digit level, and to avoid as
far as possible 'Others' category.
3. The matter will be reviewed shortly, and in the event of non-compliance and
continued misclassification by the importers. Government may consider bringing a
licensing regime for all items imported under the ‘Others’ category by shifting
these items from 'free' to ‘restricted’ category. If members of Trade and
Industry are of the view that the existing HS codes are not sufficient to cover
the goods that they are importing, they should immediately suggest appropriate
HS codes at 8 digit level for such goods.
4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Rajbir Sharma)
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade
Tel: 230601056/Extn. 236
E-mail: rajbir.sharma@nic.in
[Issued from File No. 01/89/180/52/AM-13/PC-2[A](e-5953)]
1 Refer Vide Trade Notice No.47/2019-2020 Dt.29.01.2020