New import rules delayed

Tough import regulations that are promising to serve as anti-dumping measures look to be heading into a blind-alley because a key stakeholder, the customs, is in the dark about the new rules - thanks to some forgetful officials.

A senior official of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce said the regulation demanding that all imported packed goods should have the maximum retail price marked at the ‘entry point’ would not come into force in its full strength from January 1 as planned, because the ‘entry point’ may be caught off guard. He said that the authorities have failed to enlighten the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs regarding the new regulation, even though the gazette notification was issued on October 13.

The senior official added that to start with the number of goods that come under the regulation would be reduce to 5 to 6 items from the existing list of 14 considering the difficulties importers would face in attempting to comply with the new rules. He added that the specific goods along with the HS codes would be announced next week.

The Sunday Times FT last week voiced concerns regarding these ad hoc policies that importers noted could even lead to a shortage of popular food items. The hue and cry that followed led to a series of discussions and the eventual toning down of regulations as an interim solution. (MA)