On December 26, 2024, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification regarding the imposition of a Quantitative Restriction (QR) on the import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke (LAMC). This restriction will apply for a specified period and under specific conditions.
1. Policy Condition for Import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke
A new policy condition has been inserted under Sl. No. 8 in Chapter 27 of the ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule-1 (Import Policy), specifically addressing the import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke. The details of the restriction are as follows:
- Restricted Imports:
- The import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke (HS Codes 27040020, 27040030, 27040040, 27040090) with an ash content below 18%, excluding coke fines, coke breeze, and ultra-low phosphorous metallurgical coke (with phosphorous content up to 0.030% and size up to 30 mm with a 5% size tolerance), will be restricted.
- Import Authorization:
- Imports during the period from 1st January 2025 to 30th June 2025 will be permitted only against an Import Authorization issued by the DGFT.
- The authorization will be specific to the country of import.
- Exclusion of High Ash Content Coke:
- Metallurgical coke with ash content above 18% is not covered under this restriction and remains unrestricted.
2. Conditions for Import
The notification lays down several key conditions for the import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke under this restriction:
EDI Port Importation:
- Import will be permitted only through EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) ports to facilitate electronic and real-time monitoring of the allocated quota.
Quarterly Monitoring:
- The import will be monitored on a quarterly basis. The total imports allowed in any quarter shall not exceed the allocated quota for that quarter.
Unused Quota Transfer:
- Any unused quantity from a given quarter will be added to the quota for the next quarter.
Residual Quantity:
- In cases where countries exhaust their allocated quota, they may utilize the available residual quantity from other countries.
Further Modalities:
- If necessary, the DGFT will notify further modalities governing the quantitative restriction in accordance with relevant legal provisions.
3. Duration of the Quantitative Restriction
- The Quantitative Restriction will be effective for a period of six months, starting from 1st January 2025 to 30th June 2025.
- After 30th June 2025, the restriction will cease.
