India’s new inspection rules into force on July 1

India – India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has come forward with revised rules covering Pre-shipment Inspection Agencies (PSIA) and the issuing of Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates (PSIC). Unlike with the previous proposal, metal scrap exporters to India are not obliged to shoot a video of the loading and sealing process as photographs have now been introduced as an option. The new rules will come into force on July 1 2015.

The DGFT notice requires Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PSIA) to apply for recognition by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, a status that will need renewing every three years. It also includes details of Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements, including authentication with the PSIA’s uniquely numbered hologram.

The prescribed certificate has to be provided to DGFT with photographs or a video clip of the PSIA Inspector at the place of inspection, of the testing instrument(s), of the stuffing of each container including the container number, and of its sealing.

A PSIA can also carry out inspections in countries where it does not have a full-time equipped branch office but will have to inform DGFT by email beforehand.

At the BIR’s International Trade Council meeting in Dubai today, it was made clear by the president of the Metal Recycling Association of India, Ikbal Nathani, that new requirements were inevitable as DGFT was committed to protect India against explosives and radiation in scrap imports. ‘DGFT is hellbent on this new procedure’, he stressed. Current Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates can be used until June 30 2015.