The detailed description of the DEPBS is contained in paragraphs 4.3 of FTP 04-09 and FTP 09-14 as well as in chapter 4 of HOP I 04-09 and HOP I 09-14.

Any manufacturer-exporter or merchant-exporter is eligible for this scheme.

An eligible exporter can apply for DEPBS credits which are calculated as a percentage of the value of products exported under this scheme. Such DEPBS rates have been established by the Indian authorities for most products, including the product concerned. They are determined regardless of whether import duties have actually been paid or not. The DEPBS rate for the product concerned during the RIP of the current investigation was 8 % of fob value, subject to a value cap of INR 58/kg. As a result, the maximum benefit is INR 4,64/kg.

To be eligible for benefits under this scheme, a company must export. At the time of the export transaction, a declaration must be made by the exporter to the authorities in India indicating that the export is taking place under the DEPBS. In order for the goods to be exported, the Indian customs authorities issue, during the dispatch procedure, an export shipping bill. This document shows, inter alia, the amount of DEPBS credit which is to be granted for that export transaction. At the time of issuing the export shipping bill, the exporter knows the benefit it will receive. Once the customs authorities issue an export shipping bill, the GOI has no discretion over the granting of a DEPBS credit. The relevant DEPBS rate to calculate the benefit is that which applied at the time the export declaration was made. Therefore, there is no possibility for a retroactive amendment to the level of the benefit.

It was found that, in accordance with Indian accounting standards, DEPBS credits can be booked on an accrual basis as income in the commercial accounts, upon fulfilment of the export obligation. Such credits can be used for payment of customs duties on subsequent imports of any goods unrestrictedly importable, except capital goods. Goods imported against such credits can be sold on the domestic market (subject to sales tax) or used otherwise. DEPBS credits are freely transferable and valid for a period of 24 months from the date of issue.

Applications for DEPBS credits are electronically filed and can cover an unlimited amount of export transactions. De facto, no strict deadlines to apply for DEPBS credits exist. The electronic system used to manage DEPBS does not automatically exclude export transactions exceeding the deadline submission periods mentioned in paragraph 4.47 of HOP I 04-09 and of HOP I 09-14. Furthermore, as clearly provided in paragraph 9.3 of the HOP I 04-09 and of HOP I 09-14, applications received after the expiry of submission deadlines can always be considered with the imposition of a minor penalty fee (i.e. 10 % of the entitlement).

It was found that the applicant used this scheme during the RIP.

The DEPBS provides subsidies within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 and point (2) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation. A DEPBS credit is a financial contribution by the GOI, since the credit will eventually be used to offset import duties, thus decreasing the GOI’s duty revenue which would otherwise be due. In addition, the DEPBS credit confers a benefit upon the exporter, because it improves its liquidity.

Furthermore, the DEPBS is contingent in law upon export performance, and is therefore deemed to be specific and countervailable under point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(4) of the basic Regulation.

This scheme cannot be considered as permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation as claimed by the applicant. It does not conform to the strict rules laid down in point (i) of Annex I, in Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and in Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) to the basic Regulation. An exporter is under no obligation to actually consume the goods imported free of duty in the production process and the amount of credit is not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. Moreover, there is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production process of the exported product or whether an excess payment of import duties occurred within the meaning of point (i) of Annex I and Annexes II and III to the basic Regulation. Lastly, an exporter is eligible for the DEPBS benefits regardless of whether it imports any inputs at all. In order to obtain the benefit, it is sufficient for an exporter to simply export goods without demonstrating that any input material was imported. Thus, even exporters which procure all of their inputs locally and do not import any goods which can be used as inputs are still entitled to benefit from the DEPBS.

By means of Public Notice No 54 (RE-2010)/2009-2014 of 17 June 2011, the DEPBS received a final extension of three months until 30 September 2011. As no further extension was published subsequently, the DEPBS has effectively been withdrawn from 30 September 2011 onwards. Consequently, this scheme will not confer any benefits on the applicant after 30 September 2011. It has therefore to be verified whether, in accordance with Article 15(1) of the basic Regulation, measures should be imposed on this scheme.

In this respect, it was established that the applicant received similar benefits pursuant to the parallel ‘duty drawback’ scheme. The duty drawback rate for PET was 5,5 % of fob value, subject to a maximum amount of INR 5,50/kg. However, since the ‘duty drawback’ scheme was not used during the RIP, it is not possible to calculate a subsidy amount for this scheme.

The applicant claimed that the Duty Drawback Scheme conforms with the ‘guidelines on consumption of inputs in the production process’ in Annex II to the basic Regulation, specifically paragraph I of the said Annex. However, similar to the DEPBS, it was established that the duty drawback rate is determined regardless of whether import duties have actually been paid or not.

In accordance with point (2) of Article 3 and Article 5 of the basic Regulation, the amount of countervailable subsidies was calculated in terms of the benefit conferred on the recipient, which is found to exist during the review investigation period. In this regard, it was considered that the benefit is conferred on the recipient at the point in time when an export transaction is made under this scheme. At this moment, the GOI is liable to forego the customs duties, which constitutes a financial contribution within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation.

In light of the above, it is considered appropriate to assess the benefit under the DEPBS as being the sum of the credits earned on all export transactions made under this scheme during the RIP.

Where justified claims were made, fees necessarily incurred to obtain the subsidy were deducted from the credits so established to arrive at the subsidy amounts as numerator, pursuant to point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation.

In accordance with Article 7(2) of the basic Regulation these subsidy amounts have been allocated over the total export turnover during the review investigation period as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.

Based on the above, the subsidy rate established in respect of this scheme for the applicant during the RIP amounts to 6,7 %.

The detailed description of EPCGS is contained in chapter 5 of FTP 04-09 and of FTP 09-14 as well as in chapter 5 of HOP I 04-09 and of HOP I 09-14.

Manufacturer-exporters, merchant-exporters ‘tied to’ supporting manufacturers and service providers are eligible for this scheme.

Under the condition of an export obligation, a company is allowed to import capital goods (new and second-hand capital goods up to 10 years old) at a reduced rate of duty. To this end, the GOI issues, upon application and payment of a fee, an EPCGS licence. The scheme provides for a reduced import duty rate of 5 % applicable to all capital goods imported under the scheme. In order to meet the export obligation, the imported capital goods must be used to produce a certain amount of export goods during a certain period. Under FTP 09-14 the capital goods can be imported with a 0 % duty rate under the EPCGS, but in such case the time period for fulfilment of the export obligation is shorter.

The EPCGS licence holder can also source the capital goods indigenously. In such case, the indigenous manufacturer of capital goods may avail himself of the benefit for duty-free import of components required to manufacture such capital goods. Alternatively, the indigenous manufacturer can claim the benefit of deemed export in respect of supply of capital goods to an EPCGS licence holder.

It was found that the applicant used this scheme during the RIP.

The EPCGS provides subsidies within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 and point (2) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation. The duty reduction constitutes a financial contribution by the GOI, since this concession decreases the GOI’s duty revenue which would be otherwise due. In addition, the duty reduction confers a benefit upon the exporter, because the duties saved upon importation improve the company’s liquidity.

Furthermore, EPCGS is contingent in law upon export performance, since such licences cannot be obtained without a commitment to export. Therefore it is deemed to be specific and countervailable under point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(4) of the basic Regulation. It has been claimed by the applicant that EPCGS subsidies with regard to the purchase of capital goods where the export obligation was already fulfilled before the RIP should not anymore be treated as contingent upon export performance. Therefore they should not be treated as specific subsidies and should not be countervailed. However, this claim has to be rejected. It has to be underlined that the subsidy itself was contingent upon export performance i.e. it would not have been granted had the company not accepted a certain export obligation.

EPCGS cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation. Capital goods are not covered by the scope of such permissible systems, as set out in point (i) of Annex I to the basic Regulation, because they are not consumed in the production of the exported products.

The subsidy amount was calculated, in accordance with Article 7(3) of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the unpaid customs duty on imported capital goods spread across a period which reflects the normal depreciation period of such capital goods in the industry concerned, i.e. 18,93 years. Interests were added to this amount in order to reflect the full value of the benefit over time. The commercial interest rate for local currency loans during the review investigation period in India was considered appropriate for this purpose.

In accordance with Articles 7(2) and 7(3) of the basic Regulation this subsidy amount has been allocated over the export turnover during the RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance.

The subsidy rate established in respect of this scheme for the applicant during the RIP amounts to 0,6 %.

The detailed description of FMS is contained in paragraphs 3.9.1 to 3.9.2.2 of FTP 04-09 and paragraphs 3.14.1 to 3.14.3 of FTP 09-14 and in paragraphs 3.20 to 3.20.3 of HOP I 04-09 and paragraphs 3.8 to 3.8.2 of HOP I 09-14.

Any manufacturer-exporter or merchant-exporter is eligible for this scheme.

Under this scheme exports of all products to countries notified under Appendix 37(C) of HOP I 04-09 and HOP I 09-14 are entitled to duty credit equivalent to 2,5 % of the fob value of products exported under this scheme. Certain type of export activities are excluded from the scheme, e.g. exports of imported goods or transhipped goods, deemed exports, service exports and export turnover of units operating under special economic zones/export operating units. Also excluded from the scheme are certain types of products, e.g. diamonds, precious metals, ores, cereals, sugar and petroleum products.

The duty credits under FMS are freely transferable and valid for a period of 24 months from the date of issue of the relevant credit entitlement certificate. They can be used for payment of custom duties on subsequent imports of any inputs or goods including capital goods.

The credit entitlement certificate is issued from the port from which the exports have been made and after realisation of exports or shipment of goods. As long as the applicant provides to the authorities copies of all relevant export documentation (e.g. export order, invoices, shipping bills, bank realisation certificates), the GOI has no discretion over the granting of the duty credits.

It was found that the applicant used this scheme during the RIP.

The FMS provides subsidies within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 and point (2) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation. A FMS duty credit is a financial contribution by the GOI, since the credit will eventually be used to offset import duties, thus decreasing the GOI’s duty revenue which would be otherwise due. In addition, the FMS duty credit confers a benefit upon the exporter, because it improves its liquidity.

Furthermore, FMS is contingent in law upon export performance, and therefore deemed to be specific and countervailable under point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(4) of the basic Regulation.

This scheme cannot be considered a permissible duty drawback system or substitution drawback system within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation. It does not conform to the strict rules laid down in point (i) of Annex I, Annex II (definition and rules for drawback) and Annex III (definition and rules for substitution drawback) to the basic Regulation. An exporter is under no obligation to actually consume the goods imported free of duty in the production process and the amount of credit is not calculated in relation to actual inputs used. There is no system or procedure in place to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production process of the exported product or whether an excess payment of import duties occurred within the meaning of point (i) of Annex I and Annexes II and III to the basic Regulation. An exporter is eligible for FMS benefits regardless of whether it imports any inputs at all. In order to obtain the benefit, it is sufficient for an exporter to simply export goods without demonstrating that any input material was imported. Thus, even exporters which procure all of their inputs locally and do not import any goods which can be used as inputs are still entitled to benefit from FMS. Moreover, an exporter can use FMS duty credits in order to import capital goods although capital goods are not covered by the scope of permissible duty drawback systems, as set out in point (i) of Annex I to the basic Regulation, because they are not consumed in the production of the exported products.

The amount of countervailable subsidies was calculated on the basis of the benefit conferred on the recipient, which is found to exist during the RIP as booked by the applicant on an accrual basis as income at the stage of export transaction. In accordance with Article 7(2) and 7(3) of the basic Regulation, this subsidy amount (nominator) has been allocated over the export turnover during the RIP as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is contingent upon export performance and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported.

The subsidy rate established with regard to this scheme during the RIP for the applicant amounts to less than 0,1 %.

The detailed description of this scheme as applied by the Government of West Bengal (GOWB) is set out in Notification No 580-CI/H of 22 June 1999 of the GOWB Commerce & Industries Department.

Companies setting up a new industrial establishment or making a large-scale expansion of an existing industrial establishment in backward areas are eligible to avail benefits under this scheme. Nevertheless, an exhaustive list of ineligible industries (negative list of industries) exists preventing companies in certain fields of operations from benefiting from the incentives.

Under this scheme, companies must invest in backward areas. These areas, which represent certain territorial units in West Bengal are classified according to their economic development into different categories while at the same time there are developed areas excluded from the application of the incentive schemes. The main criteria to establish the amount of the incentives are the size of the investment and the area in which the enterprise is or will be located.

This scheme provides subsidies within the meaning of point (1)(a)(ii) of Article 3 and point (2) of Article 3 of the basic Regulation. It constitutes a financial contribution by the GOWB, since the incentives granted, in the present case sales tax and central sales tax remissions on sales of finished goods, decrease tax revenue which would be otherwise due. In addition, these incentives confer a benefit upon a company, because they improve its financial situation since taxes otherwise due are not paid.

Furthermore, this scheme is regionally specific in the meaning of point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(2) and Article 4(3) of the basic Regulation since it is only available to certain companies having invested within certain designated geographical areas within the jurisdiction of the State concerned. It is not available to companies located outside these areas and, in addition, the level of benefit is differentiated according to the area concerned.

The WBIS 1999 is therefore countervailable.

The subsidy amount was calculated on the basis of the amount of the sales tax and central sales tax on sales of finished goods normally due during the review investigation period but which remained unpaid under this scheme. In accordance with Article 7(2) of the basic Regulation, the amount of subsidy (numerator) has then been allocated over total sales during the review investigation period as appropriate denominator, because the subsidy is not export contingent and it was not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported. The subsidy rate obtained amounted to 1,4 %.