Trade Talks

The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) signifies a monumental leap forward in customs security processes for the European Union (EU) and its associated territories. This automated entry system, inaugurated on June 3, 2024, is poised to safeguard the EU's single market and its populace by fortifying border security measures. What exactly is ICS2, and how does it operate? At its core, ICS2 is an IT framework meticulously engineered to gather comprehensive data regarding all incoming cargo destined for the EU. Its fundamental objective revolves around bolstering security protocols at the EU's external borders. Here are some pivotal aspects of ICS2: Data Collection: ICS2 meticulously gathers a wealth of information pertaining to incoming cargo, encompassing details about the goods themselves, the modes of transportation employed (including sea, inland waterways, road, and rail), and the various economic entities involved in the shipment process. Security Measures: Leveraging the collec...

In today’s interconnected world, cross-border commerce has become a critical driver of economic growth. As businesses expand their reach beyond national borders, digital transformation plays a pivotal role in shaping their success. In this 1000-word article, we’ll explore the impact of digital transformation on cross-border e-commerce and discuss strategies for thriving in this dynamic landscape. 1. Understanding Cross-Border E-Commerce Cross-border e-commerce refers to the exchange of goods and services between entities located in different countries using digital platforms. It encompasses logistics, marketing, payment processing, and other activities related to import and export trade. As the global economy evolves, cross-border e-commerce has transitioned from its initial stages to a more mature phase. 2. The Role of Digital Platforms Digital platforms serve as the backbone of cross-border e-commerce. These platforms facilitate transactions, connect buyers and sellers, and streamlin...

Overview The Indian government has been pushing to boost the country's plastic exports through Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and incentives. The SEZ scheme was introduced in India on April 1, 2000, to enhance foreign investment and provide an internationally competitive and hassle-free environment for exports. The SEZ policy has been successful in promoting private investment in industrial activity, infrastructure investment, employment, and exports since its introduction. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, SEZ exports increased by 3.3% between 2005-06 and 2020-21, from INR228.40 billion to INR7595.24 billion, and investment in SEZs increased by 15.3% during the same period, from INR40.355 billion to INR6174.99 billion. The government's push to boost India's plastic exports via SEZs and incentives is expected to further increase the country's exports and attract foreign investment. The SEZs offer incentives to resident businesses, such as competitiv...

Overview The India-ASEAN Trade Agreement is a significant trade pact between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It aims to promote economic cooperation and reduce trade barriers between the two regions. Recently, there have been some noteworthy developments regarding the review of this agreement. India and ASEAN are expected to formally launch the review exercise for the free trade agreement (FTA) in November. The review process will focus on eliminating barriers and addressing concerns about the misuse of the trade pact. The negotiations are expected to be concluded by 2025. This review is crucial as it aims to enhance and diversify trade while addressing the current irregularity in bilateral trade. India’s trade deficit with ASEAN has been a matter of concern, and this review aims to address this issue. The widening trade deficit between India and ASEAN has raised questions about the effectiveness of the existing trade agreement. The review will also ...

Introduction The United Kingdom's recent introduction of the Developing Countries Trading System (DCTS) marks a significant shift in its trade policies. The move aims to revamp the country's trading relationship with developing nations, including India. However, because of this change, Indian goods worth $960 million are set to lose their concessional duty access to the UK market. This article delves into the implications of the DCTS on Indian exporters, analyzing the challenges they face and the potential strategies they can adopt to mitigate the impact. Understanding the Developing Countries Trading System (DCTS) The DCTS is a novel trade preference scheme introduced by the UK after its departure from the European Union. As part of its independent trade policy, the UK seeks to reconfigure its relationships with developing nations by implementing this new system. The DCTS aims to provide preferential market access to a carefully selected group of countries with the greates...

If you are directly or indirectly connected with the global supply chain, then you must have heard the buzzword ‘AEO.’ It is an accreditation awarded by the Indian Customs not just to the importer-exporters but also to the Logistics Operators, Customs House Agents (CHAs), Freight Forwarders, Terminal Operators, etc. Assuming that you are well informed about the AEO status and its importance, in this article we will see how AEO status is significant in actual practice, and what the positives and negatives are if you are thinking to apply for the AEO status. In past years, I had an opportunity to hand-hold to the importer-exporters to get the AEO accreditation. I have summarized the facts in a Q&A format. But before that let us investigate India’s current AEO accreditation scenario. Who can apply for AEO status? Any business entity that is part of the international supply chain; involved in the cross-border movement of goods and required to fulfill obligations under the Customs law i...

On April 1st, 2023, the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) announced a new Foreign Trade Policy, which came into force on the same date. The earlier Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 was supposed to be valid up to March 31st, 2020. However, it extended up to March 31st, 2023 because of various scenarios like, the COVID-19 pandemic, etc. If we compare India’s merchandise export and service export in FY 2016 (at the beginning of Foreign Trade Policy 2025-20), it was USD 435 billion. It is expected that the export may grow up to USD 760 billion by the end of FY 2023, which is almost 75% growth. Here, being an exporter, you can judge that the export business has good potential in near future. Export has a direct relation to key economic factors like demand and supply. This means Indian goods and services have ample demand in the world market and the only question remains seizing the opportunity at right time. In short, companies that are in the export business have an opportunity to fl...