Presently, an AD category – I bank is required to obtain unconditional, irrevocable standby Letter of Credit (LC) or guarantee from an international bank of repute situated outside India, or a guarantee of an AD Category – I bank in India, if such a guarantee is issued against the counter guarantee of an international bank of repute situated outside India, for an advance remittance exceeding US $ 1 ,00,000 or its equivalent for imports of goods into India. With a view to liberalizing the procedure, RBI has enhanced the aforesaid limit of US $ 100,000 to US $ 200,000 or its equivalent, for importers (other than a Public Sector Company or a Department/Undertaking of Central/State Governments where the requirement of bank guarantee is to be specifically waived by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India for advance remittances exceeding US$ 100,000 or its equivalent). The said amendment has become effective from 29 April 2011.
RBI/2010-11/493 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 56April 29, 2011
Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999-Advance Remittance for Import of Goods – Liberalisation
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.106 dated June 19, 2003, A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.15 dated September 17, 2003 and A.P. (DIR Series) CircularNo.09 dated August 21, 2008 in terms of which AD Category – I banks are required to obtain an unconditional, irrevocable standby Letter of Credit (LC) or a guarantee from an international bank of repute situated outside India or a guarantee of an AD Category – I bank in India, if such a guarantee is issued against the counter guarantee of an international bank of repute situated outside India, for an advance remittance exceeding USD 100,000 or its equivalent.
2. With a view to liberalising the procedure, it has been decided to enhance the aforesaid limit of USD 100,000 to USD 200,000 or its equivalent, with immediate effect for importers (other than a Public Sector Company or a Department/Undertaking of Central/State Governments where the requirement of bank guarantee is to be specifically waived by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India for advance remittances exceeding USD 100,000 or its equivalent).
3. All the other instructions including the facility to waive the requirement of the standby LC/ bank guarantee for advance remittance up to USD 5,000,000 or its equivalent, where the AD Category – I bank is satisfied about the track record and bonafides of the importer based on their internal Board approved policy, contained in A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 09 dated August 21, 2008, shall remain unchanged.
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