Discusses requirements for products entering the country/economy temporarily, including information on warranty and non-warranty items entering the country/economy for repair.
Last Published: 8/5/2019

Temporary Entry

The Indian Customs Act, 1962 allows import of goods on a temporary basis into India.  Section 74 of the Act provides for drawback on goods that are imported for a temporary period into India and exported out of the country.

As per the Section 74, drawback is allowable on re-export of duty paid goods.  When the goods are re-exported out of India, the exporter will be entitled to a drawback of a specified percentage of the duty paid at the time of import.  The procedure for claiming duty drawback under Section 74 is governed by provisions of the Re-Export of Imported Goods (Drawback of Customs Duties) Rules, 1995.

The rate of drawback available depends upon the period for which the goods are stored in India or used.  If goods are re-exported without being used in India, 98 percent of the customs duty would be available as duty drawback, provided that the exports have taken place within 24 months from the date of import.

However, under section 75 of the Act, where the goods are used in India after their import, the drawback is determined based on the duration of use of the goods in India (the length of period from the date of clearance for home consumption and the date goods are placed under customs control for export).  The procedure for claiming duty drawback under Section 75 is governed by provisions of the Customs and Central Excise Duties Drawback Rules 1995.

In addition, General Exemption No 14 of the Customs Tariff allows the import of goods for display or use at fair, exhibition, demonstration, seminar, congress and conferences, subject to specified conditions.
For more information review the Customs Act, 1962 available under the “Customs” tab in the CBIC Website: http://www.cbic.gov.in/   

ATA Carnet

An ATA Carnet is an International Uniform Customs document issued in 78 countries including India, which are parties to the Customs Convention on ATA Carnet. The ATA Carnet permits duty free temporary admission of goods into a member country without the need to raise customs bond, payment of duty and fulfillment of other customs formalities in one or several foreign countries. The initials "ATA" are an acronym of the French and English word "Admission Temporaire / Temporary Admission".

Within the ICC World Chambers Federation, the World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) runs the ATA system and its international guarantee chain. The Council is made up of representatives from the countries and territories where Carnets are issued and accepted.

Each country in the system has a single guaranteeing body approved by the national customs authorities and the ICC World Chambers Federation (Until June 2001, the International Bureau of Chambers of Commerce). The WCF is sponsored by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris. In India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), is appointed as National Guaranteeing & Issuing Association for ATA Carnets. http://www.atacarnet.in/about-ata-carnet.html    

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.