No person is allowed to export or import goods without obtaining an Importer-Exporter Code Number from the regional licensing authority unless specifically exempted under any other provision of the Export and Import Policy. The following categories of importers or exporters are exempted from obtaining the Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) Number.

       • Importers covered by clause 3(1) [ Except sub-clause (e) and (1)] and exporters covered by clause 3(2)
          [except sub-clause (I)and (K)] of Foreign Trade [Exemption from application of Rules in certain cases]
          Order, 1993;
       • Ministries/Departments of the Central or a State Government.
       • Persons importing or exporting goods for their personal use not connected with trade or manufacture or
         agriculture;
       • Persons importing or exporting goods from/to Nepal provided the CIF value of a single 
         consignment does not exceed Indian Rs.25, 000 (Rs. Twenty Five Thousands only).
       • Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar Border areas provided 
          the CIF value of a single consignment does not exceed Indian Rs.25, 000 (Rs. Twenty Five Thousand only).

An Advance Authorisation is issued to allow duty free import of inputs, which are physically incorporated in export product (making normal allowance for wastage). In addition, fuel, oil, energy, catalysts which are consumed / utilised to obtain export product, may also be allowed. DGFT, by means of Public Notice, may exclude any product(s) from purview of Advance Authorisation.

Objective of DEPB is to neutralise incidence of customs duty on import content of export product. Component of Special Additional Duty and customs duty on fuel shall also be allowed under DEPB (as a brand rate) in case of non-availment of CENVAT credit. Neutralisation shall be provided by way of grant of duty credit against export product.
An exporter may apply for credit, at specified percentage of FOB value of exports, made in freely convertible currency or payment made from foreign currency account of SEZ unit / SEZ Developer in case of supply by DTA.
Credit shall be available against such export products and at such rates as may be specified by DGFT by way of public notice. Credit may be utilized for payment of Customs Duty on freely importable items

DFIA is issued to allow duty free import of inputs, fuel, oil, energy sources, catalyst which are required for production of export product. DGFT, by means of Public Notice, may exclude any product(s) from purview of DFIA. This scheme is in force from 1st May, 2006.

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 5% 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 Authorisation issue-date.

MAI scheme, intended to provide financial assistance for medium term export promotion efforts with sharp focus on a country / product, and is administered by DoC.
Financial assistance is available for Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Industry and Trade Associations (ITAs), Agencies of State Governments, Indian Commercial Missions (ICMs) abroad and other eligible entities as may be notified.

MDA)Scheme is intended to provide financial assistance for a range of export promotion activities implemented by EPCs,ITAs on a regular basis every year. The scheme is administered by DoC.
Assistance includes, amongst others, participation in
(i) Trade Fairs and Buyer Seller meets abroad or in
India, and
(ii) Export promotion seminars.
Financial assistance with travel grant is available to exporters traveling to Latin America, Africa, CIS region, ASEAN countries, Australia and New Zealand. In other areas, financial assistance without travel grant is available.

Objective is to accelerate growth in export of services so as to create a powerful and unique ‘Served From India’ brand, instantly recognized and respected world over.
All Service Providers, of services listed in Appendix 10 of HBP v1, who have a total free foreign exchange earning of at least Rs. 10 Lakhs in preceding financial year shall qualify for Duty Credit scrip. For Individual Service Providers, minimum would be Rs 5 Lakhs.
All Service Providers (except Hotels, Restaurants and other Service Providers in Tourism Sector) shall be entitled to Duty Credit scrip equivalent to 10% of free foreign exchange earned during preceding financial year.

Objective of VKGUY is to promote exports of
(i) Agricultural Produce and their value added products;
(ii) Minor Forest Produce and their value added variants;
for exports w.e.f 1.4.2004
(iii) Gram Udyog Products, for exports w.e.f 01.04.2006;
and
(iv) Forest Based Products, for exports w.e.f 01.04.2007.
Such products shall be listed in Appendix 37A of HBP v1.

Objective is to offset high freight cost and other externalities to select international markets with a view to enhance our export competitiveness in these countries.
Exporters of all products through EDI enabled ports to notified countries (as in Appendix 37C of HBP v1) shall be entitled for Duty Credit scrip equivalent to 2.5% of FOB value of exports for each licensing year commencing from 1st April, 2006.
However additional Markets notified in Appendix 37C of HBP v1 shall be entitled for Duty Credit scrip on exports w.e.f 1.4.2007.

Objective is to incentives export of such products, which have high employment intensity in rural and semi urban areas, so as to offset infrastructure inefficiencies and other associated costs involved in marketing of these products.
Exports of notified products (as in Appendix 37D of HBP v1) through EDI enabled ports to all countries shall be entitled for Duty Credit scrip equivalent to 1.25% of FOB value of exports for each licensing year commencing from 1st April, 2006.
However, additional products notified / clarified in Appendix 37D of HBP v1 shall be entitled for Duty Credit scrip on exports w.e.f 1.4.2007.

Objective is to incentives export of High Technology products. Exports of notified High Tech products (as notified in Appendix 37E of HBP v1) through EDI enabled ports to all countries, shall be entitled for Duty Credit scrip equivalent to 10 % of incremental growth in exports of notified products put together (realized in free foreign exchange) for current year (i.e., 2007-08) over previous year (i.e., 2006-07) for each licensing year commencing from 1st April, 2007.