INTERNAL BACKLOG ASSIGNMENT
EXPORT-IMPORT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Q. Discuss and evaluate EPCG scheme under 2009-2014 Foreign Trade policy.
A. The Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme was one of the several export-promotion initiatives launched by the government in the early '90s. The basic purpose of the scheme was to allow exporters to import machinery and equipment at affordable prices so that they can produce quality products for the export market.
The import duty on capital goods — like all other items — was high during that period, inflating the cost of capital goods nearly 50%, so the government allowed exporters to import capital goods at only 25% import duty. For waiver of the remaining portion of import duty, exporters were supposed to undertake an 'export obligation' (a promise to export) which was worked out on the basis of the duty concession obtained
Exporters were given eight years to carry out their commitment to export. Once the 'export obligation' was fulfilled, the owner of the capital goods concerned could sell them or transfer them to another facility. Till the promised export materialised, the owners of the machinery or equipment were barred from even moving the goods concerned out of their manufacturing unit.
Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme allows import of capital goods including spares for pre production, production and post production at zero duty subject to an export obligation of 6 times of duty saved on capital goods imported under EPCG scheme, to be fulfilled in 6 years reckoned from Authorization issue date.
EPCG scheme covers manufacturer exporters with or without supporting manufacturer(s)/ vendor(s), merchant exporters tied to supporting manufacturer(s) and service providers. The Scheme also covers a service provider who is designated / certified as a Common Service Provider (CSP).
EPCG