DGFT permits import of Watermelon Seeds until 31st August, 2024

1. DGFT permits import of Watermelon Seeds until 31^st August, 2024 by notifying the procedure for import as shown below:

1. Only one application for import of Watermelon seeds shall be considered against one IEC.
2. The applications shall be considered on Actual User basis to Processors only.
3. A valid FSSAI Manufacturer Licence issued on or before the date of this Public Notice indicating the processing capacity is required to be provided along with the application. The given FSSAI Licence should clearly indicate the applicant is a manufacturer under FSSAI Category 4 (Fruits & vegetables, seaweeds, and nuts and seeds). FSSAI licences issued for trading, retailing, wholesale, re- packaging, labelling purposes shall not be considered.
4. The applicant must submit a valid Chartered Accountant (CA) Certificate certifying the import of Watermelon Seeds (in MTs) and the volume of processed Watermelon seeds (in MTs), processed in their own manufacturing unit, for the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 (till the date of this Public Notice). The CA certificate should be accompanied by a list of GST invoices along with quantity pertaining to the sale of processed Watermelon seeds. 
5. The applicant shall provide a declaration that only the Watermelon seeds processed have been stated in the application and the CA Certificate, and any trading volume of Watermelon Seeds have not been included.

2. All applications for import of Watermelon seeds will be assessed individually, within the total quantities stated at Para 1 above. The import quantity for each applicant will be determined on the assistance and advice of the Exim Facilitation Committee (EFC), in accordance with the procedures under Para 2.48 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023. The EFC, during the examination of the applications, will take into account specific factors, including but not limited to, valid manufacturer FSSAI, the importation and processed volume of Watermelon seeds during the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 (till the date of this Public Notice). In determining past imports, any earlier allocations that may be pending due to litigation, if any, will also be taken in account. 

3. The EFC shall prescribe a minimum and/or maximum limit for the allocated quantity, to maintain allocation of economically viable quantities. Remaining quantities (if any) after the initial pro-rata allocation, shall be redistributed to the remaining applicants. DGFT shall retain the right to modify the allocation process as it deems appropriate, at any juncture.

4. All potential allottees are obligated to ensure that the import consignments associated with the said Import Authorisations are delivered to the Indian ports on or before 31.08.2024.

5. In the event of any misdeclaration by the applicant, the applicant shall be disqualified from consideration for the present import allocation and shall be debarred from participation in any subsequent allocations of a similar nature for a period of 2 years.