5.2

Concessional 3% Duty EPCG Scheme

Concessional 3% duty EPCG scheme allows import of capital goods for pre-production, production and post production (including CKD/SKD thereof as well as computer software systems) at 3% Customs duty, subject to an export obligation equivalent to 8 times of duty saved on capital goods imported under EPCG scheme, to be fulfilled in 8 years reckoned from Authorization issue-date.

In case of agro units, and units in cottage or tiny sector, import of capital goods at 3% Customs duty shall be allowed subject to fulfillment of export obligation equivalent to 6 times of duty saved on capital goods imported, in 12 years from Authorization issue-date.

For SSI units, import of capital goods at 3% Customs duty shall be allowed, subject to fulfillment of export obligation equivalent to 6 times of duty saved on capital goods, in 8 years from Authorization issuedate, provided the landed cif value of such imported capital goods under the scheme does not exceed Rs. 50 lakhs and total investment in plant and machinery after such imports does not exceed SSI limit.

However, in respect of EPCG Authorization with a duty saved amount of Rs. 100 crores or more, export obligation shall be fulfilled in 12 years.

In case CVD is paid in cash on imports under EPCG, incidence of CVD would not be taken for computation of net duty saved, provided the same is not CENVATed.

Capital goods shall include spares (including refurbished/reconditioned spares), tools, jigs, fixtures, dies and moulds.

Second hand capital goods, without any restriction on age, may also be imported under EPCG scheme.

However, import of motor cars, sports utility vehicles/all purpose vehicles shall be allowed only to hotels, travel agents, tour operators or tour transport operators and companies owning/operating golf resorts, subject to the condition that:

(i) total foreign exchange earning from hotel, travel & tourism and golf tourism sectors in current and preceding three licensing years is Rs. 1.5 crores or more.

(ii) ‘duty saved’ amount on all EPCG Authorizations issued in a licensing year for import of motor cars, sports utility vehicles/ all purpose vehicles shall not exceed 50% of average foreign exchange earnings from hotel, travel & tourism and golf tourism sectors in preceding three licensing years.

(iii) vehicles imported shall be so registered that the vehicle is used for tourist purpose only. A copy of the Registration certificate should be submitted to concerned RA as a confirmation of import of vehicle. However, parts of motor cars, sports utility vehicles/all purpose vehicles such as chassis etc. cannot be imported under the EPCG Scheme.

Import of Restricted items of imports mentioned under ITC(HS) shall only be allowed under EPCG Scheme after approval from EFC at Headquarters.