In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 5 of The Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation Act), 1992 (No. 22 of 1992), the Central Government has notified the Foreign Trade Policy for the period 2004-2009 incorporating the Export and Import Policy for the period 2002-2007, as modified.

This Policy shall come into force with effect from 1st September 2004 and shall remain in force upto 31st March, 2009, unless as otherwise specified.

In pursuance of the provisions of paragraph 2.4 of the Policy, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby notifies the compilation known as Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1), Handbook of Procedures (Vol.2) and Schedule of DEPB rates.

These compilations, as amended from time to time, shall remain in force until 31st March, 2009.

The objective of this Handbook is to implement the provisions of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, the Rules and Orders made thereunder and the Foreign Trade Policy (2004-09) incorporating the Export and Import Policy (2002-07) by laying down simple, transparent and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) compatible procedures which are easy to comply with and administer for efficacious management of foreign trade.

For the purpose of this Handbook, the definitions contained in the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, the Rules and Orders made thereunder and the Foreign Trade Policy (2004-09) shall apply.