Khadi, hand-woven natural fiber cloth, has once again come out of its customary veil, with the Centre allocating separate HS code for this signature fabric of India.
This long awaited move by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries will give a boost to the export of khadi products from India.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said that this decision of government will open a new chapter in the field of Khadi export. Earlier, Khadi did not have its exclusive HS code. As a result, all the data regarding export of this signature fabric used to come as a normal fabric under the textile head. ”Now, we will be able to keep a constant eye not only on our export figures, but it will also help us in planning our export strategies.”
HS Stands for Harmonized System and it is a six digit identification code. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) and custom officers use HS Code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international border.
Khadi and Village Industries products are eco-friendly and natural, and are in great demand in the International Markets. Recognizing its potential to generate exports and its eco-friendly importance, the Ministry of Commerce had accorded deemed Export Promotional Council Status (EPCS) to KVIC in 2006, to boost the export of Khadi products. However in the absence of separate HS code, the export of Khadi products was difficult to categorize and calculate.
The KVIC Chairman added that getting exclusive HS code would have remained a mirage for KVIC, had Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman not taken personal interest in it.
