India Government Allows Import of Feed Grade Maize at 15 % Import Duty for Poultry Sector

India government on Wednesday, 3rd April 2019 has allowed import of feed grade maize at a concessional import duty of 15 % with a view to meet the scarcity of poultry feed in India.

The import of up to 1 lakh tonne feed grade maize will be permitted on actual user condition.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) through a notice said that “Keeping in view the necessity, the feed grade maize is proposed to be imported under the tariff rate quota (TRQ)” with certain relaxations and conditions.

It told that applications are requested from state trading enterprises for the import of feed-grade maize or corn under the tariff rate quota scheme at 15 % customs duty & meant only for actual users.

It further added that the import for trading purpose is not permitted.

The DGFT said this decision was made after the centre received many representations from the poultry sector, underlining an unprecedented lack of feed grade maize mainly due to drought, pest attack & significant reduction in cultivable areas.

They have asked for allowing the imports under zero duty TRQ.

It said as maize is classified under the same trade nomenclature, in which basic customs duty is 60%, the import of feed grade maize becomes cost-prohibitive.

It added that “Import under tariff rate quota (5 lakh tonne) is provisionally under suspension because of an order by High Court of Hyderabad vide its order dated 31 Dec 2014“.

The poultry sector has asked to separately categorize feed grade maize from the pop-corn grade maize & allow its import under the TRQ.

It also said, “The procedure of separate categorization has been started”.