Countries seek fee exemption in G2G agreement with India

(By Planeta Arroz) Some of the countries, including major clients of Brazil such as Senegal, Ivory Coast and Benin, which were authorized to receive Indian white rice in agreements between governments (G2G), seek exemption from customs duties on shipments from cereal. Customs authorities imposed a 20 percent duty on 5,300-ton white rice shipments from Visakhapatnam port last month to Port Louis in Mauritius. “Some of the buyers who source rice through G2G agreements argue why India should impose an export tax on such deals.” said an exporter on condition of anonymity. Official sources said that while exports of white rice, which are G2G arrangements since the Center banned their shipments, are charged 20 percent export duty, no tax is levied on consignments destined for countries with which India has a free trade agreement (FTA). “India is not imposing export duties on countries that have entered into an FTA with it. Therefore, there is no tax on shipments destined for Nepal, but ...