BIR welcomes India’s latest scrap metals import provision

The Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has issued a statement applauding the latest provisions issued by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) with regard to self-certification of imported, processed metallic scrap.

The BIR, along with national trade associations Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), Washington, and the Metal Recycling Association of India (MRAI), had contacted Indian government ministries to ask that appropriately equipped scrap yards be permitted to self-certify the quality and safety of their processed metallic scrap.

As a result, BIR reports, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in late June 2015 issued Public Notice 23/2015-20, adding requirements for those recyclers seeking to self-certify exports of processed metallic scrap.

In its statement BIR says it welcomes the changes while also pointing out that three written guarantees now are required.

The eligible categories of processed metallic scrap include shredded; cut sheared and rotor sheared; briquetted, baled and bundles; and turnings, borings, granules and nodules.

According to the DGFT public notice, the exporting scrap company wishing to self-certify must complete its own “Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate,” while the importer has to complete a “Self-Declaration cum Legal Undertaking” and provide a bank guarantee. Furthermore, the importer has to provide a copy of the contract with the exporter giving certain guarantees and agreeing to take-back in case any explosive or radioactive material is found upon arrival in India. The notice provides for penalties if the declaration given by the importer is found to be false or incorrect.

The scrap shipments are required to pass through the scanners/radiological detection equipment facilities at designated Indian customs ports: Cochin, Ennore, Goa, Haldia, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Kolkata, New Mangalore, Tuticorin or Visakhapatnam.