In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 and Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government makes amendments relating to Chapter 74 [Policy Condition Sl. No. 3, Sub-para (c)] and Chapter 76 [Policy Condition Sl. No. 1, Sub-para (c)] of the ITC(HS) 2022, with immediate effect.

In Chapter 74 [Policy Condition Sl. No. 3, Sub-para (c)], the existing import policy states that the Non-ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System (NFMIMS) shall require importers to submit advance information in an online system for import of items in Annexure-I (for copper) and Annexure-II (for aluminium), and obtain an automatic Registration Number by paying a registration fee as per Appendix 2K, with the importer required to apply for registration before the arrival of the import consignment. The revised import policy retains this text but changes the timing requirement to registration before final clearance / ‘Out of Charge’ of the consignment. In both the existing and revised policy, registration can be applied for not earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival, and the automatic number granted remains valid for a period of 75 days.

The identical amendment is made to Chapter 76 [Policy Condition Sl. No. 1, Sub-para (c)], changing the requirement from registration before arrival of the import consignment to registration before final clearance / ‘Out of Charge’ of the consignment, with the 60-day application window and 75-day validity period unchanged.

The notification states that its effect is to amend Chapter 74 [Policy Condition 3(c)] and Chapter 76 [Policy Condition 1(c)] of the ITC(HS) 2022 to allow importers to obtain NFMIMS registration at any time before issuance of the Customs “Out of Charge” order, i.e., the final Customs clearance permitting removal of goods from the Customs area. The notification is issued with the approval of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and applies to importers of copper (Annexure-I items) and aluminium (Annexure-II items) under the NFMIMS.