MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF
FOREIGN TRADE
NEW DELHI
Dated:
07/07/2000
SALC
CIRCULAR NO. 3/2000-2001
All Regional Licensing Authorities,
All Commissioner of Customs,
Subject:-
Export of (i) Freeze Dried Shrimps and (ii) Frozen Pasteurized Crab Meat –
Clarification for the purpose of DEPB (Appendix 28A of Handbook of Procedures
(Vol. 1).
Sir,
Representations have been received that the customs authorities at some
places are categorising the export product viz. Freeze Dried Shrimps as ordinary
Sun Dried Shrimps and are covering the same under Sl.No. 1 of the Product Group:
Fish and Fish Products (Appendix 28A of Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1) for the
purpose of grant of DEPB benefit.
2.
It has been mentioned that ‘Freeze Drying’ or Lyophilization is one
of the most advanced food processing technologies available internationally and
it results in high value addition of the finished products and as such this
product should be classified under Sl. No. 2 of the DEPB Schedule so as to
entitle the exporters to DEBP benefit @ 5% instead of 2%.
Freeze drying is a sophisticated process involving a series of processes
which includes cooking, flavouring, addition of preservatives and drying as
Lyophilization in advanced
machinery. It is not just sun
drying or ordinary drying. The
product has a very high unit value by virtue of the sophistication of its processing.
3.
It has been further represented that the product viz. ‘Frozen
Pasteurised Crab Meat’ also is a highly processed and preserved marine
product. It is one of the high value added sea food items being sold
from India and as such it should also be covered under Sl. No. 2 of the Product
Group: Fish and Fish Products in Appendix 28A of Handbook of Procedures (Vol.
1).
4.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has recommended
these proposals. The matter has been considered by DEPB Committee. It
is clarified that the export products, viz. ‘Freeze Dried Shrimps’ and
‘Frozen Pasteurized Crab Meat’ are appropriately classifiable under the description of
processed, preserved frozen products appearing at Sl. No. 2 of the Product Group viz. : Fish and Fish Products
in Appendix 28A of DEPB Schedule and are eligible for DEPB benefit @ 5% provided
the exporters concerned specifically declare in the Shipping Bill (as per note
below Sl. No. 2) that the preservatives and chemicals, as prescribed in relevant
Standard Input Output Norms have been used in the export product.
However, with a view to avoid the possibility of the ordinary sun dried
shrimps and ordinary frozen crab meat being exported under the garb of ‘freeze
dried shrimps’ and ‘frozen pasteurized crab meat’ respectively, the field
customs authorities can prescribe suitable checks including physical
examination, test etc. on a selective basis for preventing the misuse of the
provision.
Yours
faithfully,
(
S.L. GUPTA )
DY.
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE