DGFT Modifies Export Norms for Stainless Steel Pipes [Read Notice]

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade ( DGFT ), through its Public Notice No. 45/2023 dated February 28, 2024, has made amendments to the Standard Input Output Norms ( SION ) C-831 concerning the export of Stainless Steel Seamless Tubes/Pipes with a cold finish with immediate effect.

Citing authority derived from Paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the Director General of Foreign Trade has enacted the following modifications in SION C-831:

Notes:

Specifications for Imported Pipes/Tubes: Imported seamless stainless-steel pipes/tubes must now be hot-finished or mother hollow, with an outside diameter ( OD ) not less than 65mm and above. This specification aims to ensure uniformity and quality consistency in the imported raw materials.

Specific Grade Requirement: Exporters are now mandated to declare a specific grade of pipes to be imported as input. This designated grade must align with the grade of the export pipes/tubes. This provision enhances transparency and facilitates quality control throughout the export process.

Export Weight Limitation: The amendment imposes a restriction on the export weight per meter of cold-finished pipes/tubes. It stipulates that this weight should not exceed 50% of the weight per meter of imported hot-finished/mother hollow utilised as input to produce the cold finish pipe/tube for export. This measure aims to optimise resource utilisation and prevent disproportionate exports.

Pre-Import Condition Mandate: To streamline the process, the issuance of duty-free licenses now necessitates adherence to a pre-import condition. This requirement ensures regulatory compliance and effective oversight.

The exporters operating within the stainless steel seamless tubes/pipes sector must promptly align their operations with the revised norms to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

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