DGFT amends procedure for GAET under category 8A5 Part I of SCOMET

The DGFT makes the following amendment to the Chapter 10 of Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023:

Para 10.15 (I): General Authorization for Export of Telecommunication-related items under SCOMET category 8A5 of Part I (GAET)

Export of imported SCOMET items (Telecommunication items under SCOMET Category 8A5 Part 1) will be allowed based on a one-time General Authorization (GAET) subject to the following conditions:

1. Policy & Eligibility: SCOMET authorization will not be required, for the export and/or re- export of Telecommunication items (excluding technology and software) under SCOMET Category 8A5 Part 1 (except items listed in Annexure-I) subject to the following conditions:

a. The applicant exporter shall submit an application for getting a one-time license under GAET through the online SCOMET portal and attach the information in the prescribed proforma.

b. The application would be reviewed and examined for the issuance of GAET by the Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) based on the submitted application and other supporting documents submitted by the applicant exporter in the prescribed proforma including: 

i. Detailed description of the items that are intended to be exported under this authorization with relevant technical details and specifications.

ii. End-user certificate (EUC) from all the entities involved in the supply chain (buyer, consignee, end user, and any other intermediary) on the letterhead (duly signed and stamped) is to be submitted before issuance of authorization. Subsequent EUC submissions for entities in the list of countries will be subject to post-reporting requirements.

iii. The list of countries where the export is expected to be done under GAET is to be provided by the applicant at the time of submission of the application. 

iv. Undertaking on the letterhead of the firm duly signed and stamped by the authorized signatory stating the following:

• Any on-site inspection will be allowed by the applicant exporter if required by the DGFT or authorized representatives of the Government of India.
• The applicant exporter declares that the items that are intended to be exported shall not be used for any purpose other than the purpose stated in the EUC and that such use shall not be changed nor the items modified or replicated without the prior consent of the Government of India. 
• The applicant exporter declares that subsequent to the issuance of export authorization, if the licensee has been notified in writing by DGFT or if they know or has reason to believe that an item may be intended for military end use or has a potential risk of use in or diversion to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or in delivery of their missile system, the exporter would not be eligible for GAET for export of that or those items and would apply separately to DGFT for a fresh authorization in terms of regular policy. 
• Action will be taken against the exporter under FT (D & R) Act, 1992 for any mis-declaration. 

v. Certified/Approved Internal Compliance Programme by the Compliance Manager of the Company.

vi. Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) T2 Certification of CBIC.

vii. In case of re-export of imported items, the following additional documents have to be submitted:

          (i) Proof of import of the item(s): 

• Documentary proof of the items originally imported matches with intended items of re-export;
• Bill of entry containing details of the items to be re-exported.
• Export License (if applicable) or any other documents showing that export regulation of the country of export does not have any restriction on re-export from India.
• In case of any such restriction, the exporter will provide a letter of explanation detailing the list of countries or entities, to which re-export or return is restricted/regulated.
• Purchase order.

viii. After issuance of GAET authorization and before actual export, the applicant exporter must ensure the following:

1. They shall notify the relevant government authorities in the online portal of DGFT, on quarterly basis of such export in the prescribed format [Aayat Niryat Form (ANF)- 10H], along with the End-Use Certificate (EUC) for each export.
2. The EUCs in prescribed proforma are to be filled by all the entities involved in the chain of supply e.g. foreign buyer/consignee/end-user/intermediary (ies) on the letterhead of the respective entity, duly signed in ink and stamped by the authorized signatory of the company. In case of any additional sheet used along with the EUC, the same must be on the letterhead of the company and signed by the same person who signs the EUC.
3. They have an agreement or purchase order, an excerpt of a contract from the entity (buyer/consignee/end-user) receiving the items which state that the export is for a permitted use or an end-use as declared in the EUC before the actual export.
4. The documents submitted by the exporter must include the name, contact number and email ID of the authority signing the EUC before actual export.
5. Additional details, if any sought by DGFT.

2. Post Reporting for export or re-export of items under GAET

a. The Indian exporter shall submit post-shipment details of each export or re-export of SCOMET items under the above Categories and sub-categories under GAET for 3 years on quarterly basis by the end of subsequent month of each quarter, in respect of exports made in the previous quarter.

b. In case of re-export of imported items, the additional documents as mentioned above have to be submitted at the time of post reporting.

c. Failure to do so may entail imposition of penalty and/or suspension and revocation of GAET. 

          3. Record Keeping

The exporter will be required to keep records of all the export documents, in manual or electronic form, in term of Para 10.18 of HBP, for a period of 5 years from the date of GAET issued by the DGFT. 

          4. General Conditions & Exclusions

a. GAET would not be issued in case of items to be used to design, develop, acquire, or manufacture, possess, transport, transfer and/or used for military applications, explosives, chemical, biological, nuclear weapons or for missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction and their delivery system.

b. GAET would not be issued for countries or entities covered under UNSC embargo or sanctions list or on assessment of proliferation concerns, or national security and foreign policy considerations, etc.

c. In case of inclusion of new countries or amendment to the existing list of countries where the export is expected to be done under GAET the applicant exporter will obtain prior permission of DGFT with relevant details.

d. IMWG shall reserve the right to deny the issue of GAET without assigning any reasons.

          5. Validity

a. GAET issued for export or re-export of SCOMET items under the above Categories and Sub Categories shall be valid for Three years from the date of issue of GAET subject to subsequent post reporting on quarterly basis to be reported within 30 days from the last quarter.

b. GAET cannot be revalidated in terms of Paragraph 10.20 of HBP 2023. 

          6. Suspension and Revocation

GAET issued shall be liable to be suspended and/or revoked by the DGFT on receipt of an adverse report on proliferation concern or for non-submission of mandatory post-shipment details/reports/documents within the prescribed timelines or non-compliance with the conditions of the proposed policy.