INDIA – EXPORT RELATED MEASURES REQUEST FOR CONSULTATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES
Document: REQUEST FOR CONSULTATIONS BY
Date: 19 March 2018
Document codes: WT/DS541/1; G/SCM/D119/1
Complainant: U.S.
Respondent: India
Third parties: Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, EU, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand
Dispute stage: Mutually Agreed Solution
Agreements cited: Art. 3.1(a), 3.2  Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)

INDIA – EXPORT RELATED MEASURES
REQUEST FOR CONSULTATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES
The following communication, dated 14 March 2018 , from the delegation of the United States to
the delegation of India and to the Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in
accordance with Article 4.4 of the DSU.

My authorities have instructed me to request consu ltations with the Government of India ("India")
pursuant to Articles 1 and 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the
Settlement of Disputes and Articles 4 and 30 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing
Measures ("SCM Agreement") with regard to certain export subsidy measures of India.

It appears that India provides export subsidies through: (1) the Export Oriented Units Scheme and
sector specific schemes, including Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme,1 (2) the
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme, (3) the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme, (4)
Special Economic Zones, and (5) a duty-free imports for exporters program.

The export subsidies provided through these programs are reflected in legal in struments that
include the following, operating separately or collectively, as well as any amendments, or
successor, replacement, or implementing measures:
Export Oriented Units Scheme and sector specific schemes, including Electronics
Hardware Technology Parks Scheme:
1. Foreign Trade Policy [1 st April 2015 – 31st March 2020] (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Notification 01/2015 -2020, April 1, 2015), as modified by Foreign Trade Policy
[1st April, 2015-31st March, 2020] Mid -Term Review, Updated As On 5 th December, 2017
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Notification 41/2015-2020, December 5, 2017).
2. (Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms ) of FTP 2015-2020, 1st April, 2015-31st March, 2020
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, undated).
3. Handbook of Procedures [1 st April 2015 – 31st March 2020] (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Public Notice No. 01/2015 -2020, April 1, 2015), as modified by Handbook of
Procedures [1 st April, 2015 – 31st March, 2020], Updated up to 05.12.2017 (Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Public Notice No. 43/2015-2020, December 5, 2017).
4. Public Notice 31/2015 -20, Amendments in paragraph (7) of Appendix -6B of Appendices
and Aayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015-2020 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, August 26,
2015).
5. Public Notice No. 25/2015 -2020, Removal of mandatory warehousing requirements for
EOUs, STPIs, EHTPs etc. - Amendment in (i) paras 6.06, 6.20 and 6.40 of Hand Book of

1 See Chapter 6, Foreign Trade Policy [1st April, 2015 -31st March, 2020] Mid -Term Review, Updated
As On 5th December, 2017 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Notification 41/2015-2020,
dated December 5, 2017).
WT/DS541/1 • G/SCM/D119/1

Procedures(HBP) 2015-2020; and (ii) Appendix 6E, 6G,6H, 6M,5C and ANF 6A, ANF 6B of
Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015 -2020- reg. (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, August 13, 2016).
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme:
6. Instruments 1 through 5.
7. Public Notice 2/2015 -2020, Subject: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS ) –
Schedule of country group, ITC (HS) code wise list of products with reward rates under
Appendix 3B notified (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, April 1, 2015).
8. Public Notice 27/2015 -2020, Subject: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) –
Additions/amendments in Table 1 (containing list of country groups) and Table 2
[containing ITC (HS) code wise list of products with reward rates] of Appendix 3B
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, July 14, 2015).
9. Harmonised and Consolidated Table 2 of Appendix 3 B as per Public Notice No. 61/2015 -20
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, March 7, 2017).
10. Public Notice 1/2015-2020 Subject: Amendments in Product Description in MEIS Schedule
Table 2 of Appendix 3B (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, April 13, 2017).
11. Public Notice 17/2015 -2020 Subject: Harmonizing MEIS Schedule in the Appendix 3B
(Table 2) with ITC (HS), 2017 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, August 22, 2017).
12. Public Notice 22/2015 -2020 Subject: Corrections/Amendments in Table 2 of Appendix 3B
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, August 31, 2017).
13. Public Notice 42/2015 -2020 Subject: Amendment in Appendix 3B of the Foreign Trade
Policy 2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, November 24, 2017).
14. Public Notice 44/2015 -2020 Subject: Amendments to Appendix 3B Foreign Trade Policy
2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, December 5, 2017).
15. Public Notice 60/2015 -2020 Subject: Amendments/Corrections in Table 2 of Appendix 3B
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, February 15, 2018).
Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme:
16. Instruments 1 through 5.
17. Public Notice No. 04/2015 -2020 Subject: Notification of new Appendix 5D containing the
list of services for which payment is received in Rupee terms which cou ld be counted
towards discharge of Export Obligation under the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG)
Scheme (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, May 3, 2016).
18. Public Notice No. 08/2015 -2020, Amendment in ANF -5A [Application for issue of EPCG
Authorisation]; ANF 5B [Application for redemption of EPCG Authorisation]; ANF 5C
[Application for Clubbing of EPCG Authorisations] and Appendix 5C [Format of Certificate
of CA/ Cost Accountant / CS for redemption of EPCG Authorisation] as contained in the
Appendices & A ayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015 -20 – reg. (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, May 6, 2016).
19. Policy Circular No. 03/2015 -20 Subject: Relief in Average Export Obligation in terms of
Para 5.19 of Hand Book of Procedures of FTP 2015 -20 (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, November 21, 2017).
20. Public Notice 47/2015 -2010 Amended Appendix 5E and 5F (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, December 6, 2017).
WT/DS541/1 • G/SCM/D119/1

Special Economic Zones:
21. The Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 No. 28 of 2005, issued June 23, 2005, Gazette of
India, Extraordinary Part II Section I (Ministry of Law and Justice).
22. The Special Economic Zones Rules incorporating amendments up to July, 2010 (Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, February 10, 2006).
23. Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Rules, 2010, G.S.R. 501(E) (Ministry of Commerce
and Industry, June 14, 2010).
24. Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Rules, 2017, G.S.R. 585(E) (Ministry of Commerce
and Industry, June 12, 2017).
25. Notification 15/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate) (Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue,
June 30, 2017).
26. Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended.
Duty-free imports for exporters program:
27. Notification No. 50/2017 -Customs (Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, June 30,
2017), including Conditions 10, 21, 28, 32, 33, 36, 60, 61, 101.
Consistent with Annex VII of the SCM Agreement, India is subject to the obligations of
Article 3.1(a) of the SCM Agreement because India's gross national product per capita has reached
$1,000 per annum. Through each program, as reflected in the instruments listed above, India
provides subsidies contingent upon export performance. The measures appear to be inconsistent
with Article 3.1(a) of the SCM Agreement, and India appears to have acted inconsistently with
Article 3.2 of the SCM Agreement.
In accordance with Article 4.2 of the SCM Agreement, a statement of available evidence is
attached to this request for consultations.
We look forward to receiving your reply to the present request and to scheduling a mutually
convenient date for consultations.
WT/DS541/1 • G/SCM/D119/1

Statement of Available Evidence

1. Highlights of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015 -2020 Midterm Review (December 2017)
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
2. Release of the Mid Term Review of Foreign Trade Policy 2015 -2020 – Annual Incentives
Increased by 2% amounting to over Rs 8,000 cr for Labour Intensive/MSME sectors
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, December 5, 2017).
3. Foreign Trade Policy [1st April 2015 – 31st March 2020] (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Notification 01/2015 -2020), April 1, 2015, as modified by Foreign Trade Policy
[1st April, 2015-31st March, 2020] Mid -Term Review, Updated As On 5 th December, 2017
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Notification 41/2015 -2020, dated December 5,
2017).
4. (Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms) of FTP 2015 -2020, 1 April, 2015 -31 March, 2020
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, undated).
5. Handbook of Procedures [1st April 2015 – 31st March 2020] (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, P ublic Notice No. 01/2015 -2020), April 1, 2015, as modified by Handbook of
Procedures [1 st April, 2015 – 31st March, 2020], Updated up to 05.12.2017 (Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, December 5, 2017).
6. Public Notice 31/2015 -20, Amendments in paragraph (7) of Appendix -6B of Appendices
and Aayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015-2020 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, August 26,
2015).
7. Public Notice No. 25/2015 -2020, Removal of mandatory warehousing requirements for
EOUs, STPIs, EHTPs etc. - Amendment in (i) paras 6 .06, 6.20 and 6.40 of Hand Book of
Procedures(HBP) 2015-2020; and (ii) Appendix 6E, 6G,6H, 6M,5C and ANF 6A, ANF 6B of
Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015 -2020- reg. (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, August 13, 2016).
8. Public Notice 2/2015 -2020, Subject: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme – Schedule
of country group, ITC (HS) code wise list of products with reward rates under Appendix 3B
notified (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, April 1, 2015).
9. Public Notice 27/2015 -2020, Subject: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) –
Additions/amendments in Table 1 (containing list of country groups) and Table 2
[containing ITC (HS) code wise list of products with reward rates] of Appendix 3B
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, July 14, 2015).
10. Harmonised and Consolidated Table 2 of Appendix 3B as per Public Notice No. 61/2015 -20
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, March 7, 2017).
11. Public Notice 1/2015/2020 Subject: Amendments in Product Description in MEIS Schedule
Table 2 of Appendix 3B (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, April 13, 2017).
12. Public Notice 17/2015 -2020 Subject: Harmonizing MEIS Schedule in the Appendix 3B
(Table 2) with ITC (HS), 2017 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, August 22, 2017).
13. Public Notice 22/2015 -2020 Subject: Corrections/Amendments in Table 2 of Appendix 3B
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, August 31, 2017).
14. Public Notice 42/2015 -2020 Subject: Amendment in Appendix 3B of the Foreign Trade
Policy 2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, November 24, 2017).
15. Public Notice 44/2015 -2020 Subject: Amendments to Appendix 3B Foreign Trade Policy
2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, December 5, 2017).
WT/DS541/1 • G/SCM/D119/1

16. Public Notice 60/2015 -2020 Subject: Amendment s/Corrections in Table 2 of Appendix 3B
Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, February 15, 2018).
17. Public Notice No. 04/2015 -2020, Notification of new Appendix 5D containing the list of
services for which payment is received in Ru pee terms which could be counted towards
discharge of Export Obligation under the Export Promotion Capital Goods(EPCG) Scheme
(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, May 3, 2016).
18. Public Notice No. 08/2015 -2020, Amendment in ANF -5A [Application for issue of EP CG
Authorisation]; ANF 5B [Application for redemption of EPCG Authorisation]; ANF 5C
[Application for Clubbing of EPCG Authorisations] and Appendix 5C [Format of Certificate
of CA/ Cost Accountant / CS for redemption of EPCG Authorisation] as contained in the
Appendices & Aayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015 -20 – reg. (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, May 6, 2016).
19. Policy Circular No. 03/2015-20, Relief in Average Export Obligation in terms of Para 5.19 of
Hand Book of Procedures of FTP 2015 -20 (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, November
21, 2017).
20. Public Notice 47/2015 -2010 Amended Appendix 5E and 5F (Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, December 6, 2017).
21. The Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 No. 28 of 2005, issued June 23, 2005, Gazette of
India, Extraordinary Part II Section I (Ministry of Law and Justice).
22. The Special Economic Zones Rules incorporating amendments up to July, 2010 (Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, February 10, 2006).
23. Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Rules, 2010, G.S.R. 501(E) (Ministry of Commerce
and Industry, June 14, 2010).
24. Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Rules, 2017, G.S.R. 585(E) (Ministry of Commerce
and Industry, June 12, 2017).
25. Notification 15/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate) (Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue,
June 30, 2017).
26. Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended.
27. Notification No. 50/2017 -Customs (Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, June 30,
2017).