Duty drawback-Advance License

Under Duty Drawback Scheme, an exporter can opt for either All Industry Rate (AIR) of Duty Drawback Scheme or brand rate of Duty Drawback Scheme. Major portion of Duty Drawback is paid through AIR Duty Drawback Scheme which essentially attempts to compensate exporters of various export commodities for average incidence of customs and Central Excise duties suffered on the inputs used in their manufacture. Brand rate of duty drawback is granted in terms of rules 6 & 7 of Customs and Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules, 1995 in cases where the export product does not have any AIR or duty drawback rate, or where the AIR duty drawback rate notified is considered by the exporter insufficient to compensate for the Customs/Central Excise duties suffered on inputs used in the manufacture of export products. For goods having an AIR the brand rate facility to particular exporters is available only if it is established that the compensation by AIR is less than 80% of the actual duties suffered in the manufacture of the export goods.

Scheme for All Industry Rate (AIR) of Duty Drawback

AIR of Duty Drawback for a large number of export products are notified every year by the Government after an assessment of average incidence of Customs and Central Excise duties suffered on Inputs utilized in the manufacture of export products. This facility is generally availed by the exporters as no proof of actual duties suffered on inputs used is required to be produced.

After announcement of Union Budget every year, new AIR of drawback are notified every year usually with effect from 1st June, after factoring in the changes in duty rates effected by the budget. The Directorate of Drawback requests all Export Promotion Councils/Associations, etc. to collect, collate and furnish representative data in respect of the existing export products as also for any new product which the Councils feel have sufficient export from the country. After the announcement of the Budget various Export Promotion Council/Associations are also consulted by the Joint Secretary (Drawback), and their suggestions as well as their requests and justification for suitable enhancement of rates and also any changes sought in the scheme of the Drawback table or the entries therein are taken note of while finalizing and announcing new AIRs.

The AIRs are generally fixed as a percentage of FOB prices of export product. Often very good export prices are obtained for a product or class of products which have no co-relation with the actual duties suffered on inputs used – which is sought to be refunded to Exporters as drawback. In order to safeguard Government revenue but also be fair to exporters, reasonable duty drawback caps have been imposed in respect of many export products having rates on FOB basis. These caps essentially reflect the average duty incidence suffered on the inputs used in the manufacture of the particular goods exported by several exporters with different prices and they are fixed on the basis of data supplied by the export promotion councils and collected by Directorate from other sources.

Brand Rate of Duty Drawback Scheme

In respect of export products where AIR of duty drawback is not notified or where the AIR of duty drawback in considered by the exporter to be insufficient to fully neutralize incidence of duties suffered on the inputs utilized in the production/manufacture of the export product, the exporters opt for Brand Rate Duty Drawback Scheme. Under this Scheme, the exporters are compensated by paying the amount of Customs & Central Excise Duty incidence which is actually incurred on the inputs used in the manufacture of export products. For this purpose, the exporter has to produce documents/proof about the actual quantity of inputs utilized in the manufacture of export product along with evidence of payment of duties thereon.

The exporter has to make an application to the Directorate of Drawback in prescribed format along with enclosures (in the form of 3 drawback statements called DBK-I, II & III), within 60 days from the date of export of goods. The application has to be submitted to Directorate of Drawback with copies to the concerned Central Excise Commissionerate which has jurisdiction over the factory of production of export product. The Central Excise Authorities conduct verification of the authenticity/fact of utilization of inputs/payments of duties on the inputs on the basis of records maintained by the factory of the exporter, current production of identical goods, if being effected, etc. A verification report has to be sent to the Directorate of Drawback. The Directorate of Drawback, on the basis of verification report and other relevant documents submitted by the exporter, process and issue drawback Brand Rate Letter to the exporter on the basis of which the concerned Custom House (from where the goods were exported) makes payment of duty drawback. The Brand Rate Letter may be valid for particular export shipment or series of shipment and may also be extended for future shipments for one or more ports on request subject to proof of availability of related raw materials and duty evidence, etc., when verification was carried out.

Simplified Scheme of Brand Rate

Under Brand Rate of Duty Drawback Scheme, a “Simplified Scheme” is also available to limited companies and registered partnership firms. Under this Scheme, a rate letter for duty drawback is issued prior to receipt of verification report from the jurisdictional Central Excise Authorities on the basis of application made by the exporter subject to certain certification etc. For this purpose, besides application in the prescribed format along with enclosures, the exporter is also required to submit Chartered Accountant/Chartered Engineer’s certificate about the authenticity of consumption pattern and duty payments as claimed. An indemnity bond undertaking to pay back the duty drawback being claimed by him if it is found later on verification that the drawback amount paid to him is in excess of the admissible amount, has also to be furnished. In all cases where duty drawback is paid under Simplified Scheme, after receipt of the verification report from jurisdictional Central Excise Authority, the veracity of the application is counter checked with the said verification report and recovery action taken, where ever found necessary.

ADVANCE LICENCE SCHEME

An Advance Authorization Scheme allows duty free import of inputs, which are physically incorporated in export product (making normal allowance for wastage). In addition, fuel, oil, energy, catalysts which are consumed / utilized to obtain export product are also allowed.

Eligibility

Manufacturer exporter or merchant exporter tied to supporting manufacturer(s) for duty-free imports of inputs.
Physical exports (including exports to SEZ)
Supply of Goods to ultimate exporter holding another Advance Authorization / Duty Free Import Authorization.
Intermediate supplies
Supply of goods covered under Deemed Exports
Supply of “stores” on board of foreign going vessel / aircraft subject to condition that there is specific SION in respect of item(s) supplied.

Incentive

Duty free import of mandatory spares upto 10% of CIF value of Authorization which are required to be exported / supplied with resultant product are allowed under Advance Authorization. Advance Authorizations are issued for inputs and export items given under SION.