Online e-Certificate Management System for Imports
Online e-Certificate Management System for Imports
As part of the IT Revamp, the DGFT has introduced the Online e-Certificate Management System for Imports vide a Trade notification dated 15th February 2021. All applicants seeking Free Sale and Commerce Certificate and Status Holder Certificate are required to apply online under “e-Certificate Management System” in the importer/exporter’s dashboard, through the DGFT Website. The current article briefs the Online e-Certificate Management System for Imports.
The Gist of DGFT Trade Notice
The Direct General of Foreign Trade has announced the following information to importers.
- With effect from 22/2/2021, the following applications types are required to be submitted online through the importer/exporter’s dashboard on the DGFT official Website
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- I Card (as under ANF-2B)
- Free Sale and Commerce Certificate (as under ANF-2H & 2I)
- End-User Certificate (as under ANF-2J)
- Status Holder Certificate (as under ANF-3C)
- All such certificates will be issued electronically with a QR code and a Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) for electronic verification.
- Importers are advised to access DGFT’s Certificate Management System’ to access the new e-module.
- DGFT also announced that the entire process is designed to be paperless and contactless, any submission, communication, clarification, correction as well as approval of submitted applications would be electronic.
Note: Attested paper copies of the certificates may be requested from the jurisdictional DGFT RA concerned when required.
Status Holder Certificate System
Status Holders are business leaders who have excelled in international trade and have successfully contributed to the country’s foreign trade. A person can become a Status Holder by applying for a Status Holder Certificate. A Status Holder shall be eligible for privileges as specified by the Foreign Trade Policy.
Eligibility for Status Holder Certificate
- All exporters of goods, services and technology having an import-export code (IEC) number shall be eligible for recognition as a status holder.
- Status recognition will depend on export performance. An applicant shall be categorized as the status holder on achieving export performance during the current and previous three financial years
Note: For Gems & Jewelry Sector the performance during the current and previous two financial years shall be considered for recognition as the status holder
Prerequisites for applying for Status Holder Certificate
Prerequisites for applying for Status Holder Certificate and to avail benefits under a Status holder certificate is as follows:
- The applicant’s user profile must be linked with an IEC.
- A valid DSC must be registered in the DGFT system. The applicant can verify the same from My Dashboard > View and Register Digital Signature Token.
- Export/Import/Turnover details of the firm must be entered and updated in the IEC profile
Application Fee
There is no application fee for the issuance of a Status Holder Certificate
The validity of the Status Holder Certificate
A Status Holder Certificate is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance of the Status Holder Certificate or until the validity of the Foreign Trade Policy
Documents Required
Following are the list of documents/attachments that are mandatory to apply for the issuance of a Status Holder Certificate
- Certificate of Exports where Double Weightage has been claimed (Applicable only if the application is for One Star Export House)
- Certificate of Foreign Exchange Earned by Supply of Service
- Certificate of For value of Deemed Exports in Format
- Exports from SEZs / EOUs / EHTPs / STPs / BTPs units which are included in IEC and are taken for calculation of grant of status
- Annexure to ANF 3C
e-Identity Card System
To facilitate the collection of authorizations and other documents, identity cards may be issued to the proprietor/ partners/ directors and the authorized employees.
Eligibility for Status Holder Certificate
Proprietor/Partner/Director or an authorized employee of a firm may be issued an identity card for representing their firm at DGFT. No more than three identity cards can be issued to a firm. However, in the case of limited companies, the Head of the Regional Office may approve the allotment of more than three identity cards per company.
Application fee
A flat fee of Rs.500 needs to be paid through electronic mode in the online system for obtaining an identity card
Identity card validity
An identity card is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance.
Documents Required
The following attachments/documents are mandatory for submission of r application for the issuance of an identity card:
- A passport-sized photograph of the person in whose name the identity card is to be issued
- A proof of identity which may be Aadhaar Card/Pan Card/Voter ID/Driving License etc
- Scanned copy of the employee details on the company letterhead
Free Sale and Commerce Certificate System
A Free Sale and Commerce Certificate is a certificate issued for export of any other item which is not restricted or prohibited for export confirming that the product is freely sold in the country but without any indication that the product is evaluated for safety and efficacy and is registered for use in the country. It gives assurance from a foreign agency that the products listed on the certificate are freely sold and manufactured in the country seeking to export a particular item
Benefit of Free Sale and Commerce Certificate
Manufacturer exporters of merchant exporters may be benefitted from the Free Sale and Commerce Certificate
Application Fee
A flat registration fee of Rs. 1000 need to be paid through electronic mode in the online system for each application for issuance of the authorization.
Validity
The Free Sale and Commerce Certificate issued shall be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance
Documents Required
Following are the list of documents that is mandatory to apply for the issuance of a Free Sale and Commerce Certificate:
- Details of items for which Free Sale and Commerce Certificate is sought to be obtained
- Certificates such as the FSSAI etc
End-User Certificate System
An End-user certificate (EUC), is a document used in international transfers, including sales and arms provided as aid, of weapons and ammunition to certify that the buyer is the final recipient of the materials, and is not planning on transferring the materials to another party.
- In case of import of any freely importable item in India, if a foreign Government insists on certification of the end-user of the item, before permitting the export of the same from their country.
- EUCs are required by many governments to restrict the flow of materials to undesired destinations.
The benefit of End User Certificate
Any importer importing goods such as weapons and ammunition may benefit the importer certifying that the buyer is the final recipient of exported materials and has no intention of re-exporting it
Application fee
A fee of Rs.200 needs to be paid through electronic mode in the online system for each application for issuance of the End User Certificate.
Documents Required
Following are the list of documents that are mandatory to apply for the issuance of an End User Certificate:
- Self-certified copy of a letter from a foreign supplier in support of a request for end-user Certificate
- The requisite certificate from a Chartered Engineer certifying that goods proposed to be imported are required by the manufacturing unit for its own use
Procedure to use e-Certificate Management System
The application procedure for applying for the I Card (as under ANF-2B) / Free Sale and Commerce Certificate (as under ANF-2H & 2I) / End User Certificate (as under ANF-2J) and Status Holder Certificate through the importer’s dashboard on the DGFT Website is as follows:
New User Registration
- Access the DGFT website and proceed with the registration process. Provide the Registration Details and Select Register User as “Importer/Exporter”.
- Furnish the OTPs received on email and mobile number, Upon Successful validation of the OTP; you can receive a notification containing the temporary password which you need to change upon the first login.
Apply for Certificates
After log in to the portal, Navigate to Services and select Certificate Management. By clicking on the respective certificate link, the applicant can proceed with the application.
- Click on the “Start Fresh Application” button or click on the “Proceed with Existing Application” Button in case the user already saved a draft application
- On the applicant details, the screen user needs to provide all details.IEC Number of the firm will be auto-populated as per IEC
Upload Documents
On the next screen “Attachment”, the applicant needs to upload all required documents as mentioned above.
User Declaration
Under the declaration screen, the user will select the terms and conditions check box to accept it. User can update the “Place” field if required and then click on the “Save and Next” button
Summary page
The applicant can verify the filled in details in previous screens and can click on the “Print Summary” button to see the printable version of the form. Click on the “Sign” button to digitally sign the application form. Finally, the user clicks on the “Submit” button to apply.
Fee Payment
- On the application fee payment screen the user can verify the fee details and click on the “Submit” button to make the payment against the application.
- After Successful Payment, the user will be redirected to the DGFT Website and the receipt shall be displayed, the user can also download the receipt.
- The applicant will receive the application submission message with the File number on the screen. By clicking on the OK button on the E-payment receipt, the user will be redirected to Submitted applications via My Dashboard
Post by Renu Suresh
Renu is experience content writer specialised in compliances and company rules.
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