New Delhi, Sept 18: Government has granted exemption from registration for import of all kinds of drugs under the advance licence scheme. Exporters and trade bodies had made numerous representations to Director General of Foreign Trade demanding exemption from registration claiming that it led to unnecessary delays.

The provision that all those who were importing goods had to get themselves registered with the Drug Controller General of India was introduced by the government earlier this year. However, exporters who import intermediates only to export the final products sought exemption from this provision as it was a time consuming and tedious procedure.

As per the policy circular issued yesterday by DGFT, exporters who wish to avail the benefit of exemption from registration procedure under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act will apply for an advance licence and licensing authority will make an endorsement on the licence that exemption had been granted.

Bureau Report