Service providers like Steamer Agents entitled for benefits under SEIS for services exclusively rendered by them: DGFT

New Delhi, June 25 (KNN) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has clarified that the service providers like Steamer Agents etc shall be entitled for benefits under Service Exports from India Scheme.

However, they will be entitled for the services exclusively rendered by them and for which the foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) are received and retained by them on this account.

This Directorate has received representations from Trade & Regional Authorities regarding eligibility of Steamer Agents for benefits under Service Exports from India Scheme.

The issue has been examined in this Directorate.

“In view of the instant references, it is clarified that Service Providers like Steamer Agents, etc. shall be entitled for benefits under Service Exports from India Scheme for the services exclusively rendered by them and for which the foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) are received and retained by them on this account,” DGFT said in a notification.

Such Service Providers cannot claim benefits to the extent of free foreign exchange earnings (or INR payments as allowed under the scheme) simply routed through them for making payment for service charges with regard to services rendered by other service providers like Port Trust, etc.

The Actual service provider whether it is the Port Trust, or any other entity required to get a certificate of receipt of payment for that particular service, from the entity which had received the tore= exchange earnings (or INR payments as i allowed under the scheme) in its account in India.

This issues with the approval of the Director General of Foreign Trade, said the Directorate in the notification. (KNN Bureau)