Amendment in Import and Export Policy of electronic cigarettes.

To

All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs(Preventive),

All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs & CGST,

All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs/ Customs(Preventive),

All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs & CGST,

The Director-General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.

Madam/Sir,

Subject: Amendment in Import and Export Policy of electronic cigarettes.

Kind attention is invited to the Notification No. 20/2015-20 dated 26.09.2019 and Notification No. 22/2015-20 dated 30.09.2019 issued by Director General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry(copies enclosed).

2. Considering the adverse health impact of e-Cigarettes/ENDS and in order to prevent the initiation of nicotine through e-cigarettes by non-smokers and youth, with special attention to vulnerable groups, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued the aforesaid notifications to ensure that import and Export of e-Cigarettes or any parts or components thereof such as refill pods, atomizers, cartridges, etc. including all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems(ENDS), Heat not burn products, e-hookah, and the like product licensed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 under ITC HS Code: 8543 is prohibited in accordance with the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes( Prohibition, Manufacture, Import, Export, transport, Sale Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Ordinance,2019.

3. In view of the above, it is requested that all the officers under your jurisdiction may be directed to ensure strict implementation of the aforesaid notifications so that any attempts of Import/ Export of such goods can be effectively prevented.

S.O. (E): In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of FT(D&R) Act,1992 read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20 as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby incorporates the following import policy and as policy Condition No. 6 of Chapter 85 of ITC(HS), 2017, Schedule I (Import Policy): 

Import of electronic cigarettes( e-cigarettes) or any parts or components thereof such as refill pods, atomizers, cartridges, etc. including all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems(ENDS), Heat not burn products, e-hookah, and the like devices by whatever name and shape, size or form it may have but does not include any product licensed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 under ITC HS Code: 8543 is prohibited in accordance with the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes( Prohibition, Manufacture, Import, Export, transport, Sale Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Ordinance,2019.

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