CENTRAL BOARD OF EXCISE AND CUSTOMS PROVIDES RELIEF ON PAYMENT OF IGST TO EXPORTERS FAQ ISSUED BY EPCH FOR QUICK FACILITATION
The Goods and Services Tax has become operational from 1st July, 2017.
Handicrafts exporters are facing a number of procedural problems at various ports in the entire country. Several shipments of exporters were held up for want of various clarifications from the Department of Central Board of Excise and Customs primarily on the issue of payment of GST while exporting. The intention of the Government has been very much clear from the beginning that export shall be zero rated tax as taxes cannot be exported.
In view of the chaos amongst the exporters, an urgent open house meeting was organised with senior officials of the Central Board of Excise and Customs.
Shri Pradeep Goel, Commissioner, Central Board of Excise & Custom (CBEC) & Head of Handicrafts sectoral group chaired the open house.
Shri Sunil K. Sinha, Commissioner Customs, IGI Airport, Shri Sanjiv Srivastava, Commissioner Customs, Tuglakabad and Shri H.K. Sharma, Additional Commissioner Customs, Dadri, Smt. Babni Lal, Economic Advisor of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Dr. Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO of FIEO, Shri R.K. Gupta, Chartered Accountant, Bhatia & Bhatia , Shri O.P. Prahladka, Chairman – EPCH and Shri Rakesh Kumar, ED-EPCH, members of committee of administration were also present .
About 300 exporters participated in the open house despite Sunday. Major issues pertaining to shipment on payment of GST were discussed. Department of Central Board of Excise and Customs informed the exporters about the notification/circular issued on 7th July, 2017 providing relief to exporters to export their goods on submission of letter of undertaking instead of issuing bond and depositing integrated goods and service tax. The issues of the participants regarding registration, refund of tax , job work etc. were answered in detail by commissioner customs and other authorities available during the open house.
EPCH has also brought out a comprehensive FAQs on GST and discussion was also held on the same during open house.
GST Council is keeping a close watch on implementation of GST through head of sectoral group appointed by them for different sectors of the economy. Handicraft sector is the second largest employment provider sector after agriculture. 70 lakhs artisans, craftpersons, more than 11,000 manufacturers, merchandisers, small and tiny entrepreneurs play a vital role in increasing exports and earn foreign exchange for the Country. Their issues needs to be resolved so that exports of handicrafts from the Country does not get affected.
The Handicrafts exports during the year 2016-17 was Rs. 24392.39 crores with overall 13.15% increase in comparison to last year. During first three months [APRIL-JUNE ] of current financial year i.e. 2017-18, export to the tune of Rs. 7780.62 crore and in USD 1207.08 million has been met in comparison to Rs. 6704.76 in rupee terms and USD 1002.34 million during 2016-17 with growth of 16.05% in rupees terms and 20.43% in dollar terms.
