HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/267

Mid-Sea Trans-shipment Rules for Deep Sea Fishing Vessels

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/267 · issued 21 Nov 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has simplified export declaration for deep sea fishing vessels trans-shipping catch mid-sea. Indian-owned vessels with Ministry of Agriculture LOP can now use a special GR procedure, replacing older 1993 rules. AD Category-I banks must update customers.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

An agri & priority-sector lending officer in Indore helps a deep sea fishing company owner who is confused about the new rules. The officer explains that the boat captain can now sign the GR form for mid-sea transfers, and reminds the owner to get a certificate from an international cargo surveyor and include the GR form number on the Bill of Lading, making the process smoother for everyone.

What changed

RBI introduced a streamlined GR declaration procedure for mid-sea trans-shipment of catch by Indian-owned deep sea fishing vessels, replacing the earlier 1993 instructions. The new process allows the vessel master to sign the GR form in lieu of customs certification, with the date of transfer treated as the shipment date. A certificate from an international cargo surveyor is now mandatory, and the Bill of Lading must include the GR form number.

What it means for you

Banks handling export documents for deep sea fishing firms must accept GR forms signed by the vessel master, not customs, for mid-sea transfers. The realization period starts from the earlier of the transfer date or invoice date, requiring careful tracking. AD Category-I banks need to update their internal procedures and inform fishing industry clients about the new compliance steps.

What you must do

Who it affects

AD Category-I banks handling export documents for deep sea fishing, Indian-owned deep sea fishing vessel operators with Ministry of Agriculture LOP, Exporters of marine catch via mid-sea trans-shipment, International cargo surveyors listed in RBI's updated annex

❓ Common questions

What replaces customs certification on the GR form for mid-sea trans-shipment?

The master of the vessel can sign the GR form in lieu of customs certification, as per the new procedure.

When does the export realization period start for these transactions?

The period starts from the earlier of the date of transfer of catch (certified by the master) or the invoice date.

Do the old 1993 instructions still apply?

No, the earlier AD (MA Series) Circular No. 15 dated May 31, 1993, is superseded by this circular.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/267 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 48 November 21, 2011 To         All Category-I Authorised Dealer Banks Madam / Sir, Mid – Sea Trans-shipment of catch by Deep Sea Fishing Vessel Attention of Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to Regulation 3 of Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2000 notified vide Notification No. FEMA 23/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 as amended from time to time, indicating that exporter of goods or software in physical form or through any other form either directly or indirectly, shall furnish to the specified authority, a declaration in specified form and supported by specified evidence, containing true and correct material particulars representing the full export value of the goods and affirming that the full export value of goods will be realized and repatriated within the specified period and manner. 2. In terms of the Comprehensive Marine Fishing Policy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, issues Letter of Permission (LOP) to wholly owned Indian Enterprises for acquisition of resource-specific fishing Vessels and regulates the operation of these Vessels.  Since deep sea fishing involves continuous sailing outside the territorial limit, trans-shipment of catches takes place in the high sea leading to procedural constraints in regulatory reporting requirement viz. the Declaration of Export in terms of Notification No.FEMA.23/2000/RB dated May 3, 2000. 3. With a view to rationalize the procedures, it has been decided in consultation with the Government of India that for mid-sea trans-shipment of catches by Indian owned vessels, as per the norms prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, the GR declaration procedure as outlined in the Annex-I should be followed by the exporter in conformity with Regulation 3 of Notification No.FEMA.23/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000. 4. An updated list of International Marine Cargo Surveyors is also enclosed as Annex -II 5. It may please be noted that the earlier instructions issued in this regard vide AD (MA Series) Circular No. 15 dated May 31, 1993 stand superceded. 6. All other provisions under FEMA, as applicable for exports, would be applicable, mutatis mutandis, for catches exported at mid sea trans-shipment by the deep sea fishing Vessels. 7.  AD Category –I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned. 8. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and is without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law. Yours faithfully, (Rashmi Fauzdar) Chief General Manager ANNEX- I GR Declaration Procedure for Mid-sea Trans-shipment of Catch by Deep Sea Fishing Vessel (i). The exporters may submit the GR form, duly signed by the Master of the Vessel in lieu of Custom Certification, indicating the composition of the catch, quantity, export value, date of transfer of catch, etc. (ii). The date of transfer of catch may be indicated in the column for ‘Date of Shipment’ with suitable remarks. (iii). In SDF form, Bill of Lading No. and date shall be mentioned in lieu of the Shipping Bill No. and date. (iv). Bill of Lading / Receipt of Transshipment issued by the carrier vessel should include the GR Form Number. (v). The GR Forms should be duly supported by a certificate from an international cargo surveyor. (vi). The prescribed period of realization and repatriation should be reckoned with reference to the date of transfer of catch as certified by the Master of the Vessel or the date of the invoice, whichever is earlier. (vii). The GR Form, both original and duplicate, should indicate the number and date of Letter of Permit issued by Ministry of Agriculture for operation of the vessel. (viii). The exporter will complete the GR Form in duplicate and both the copies may be submitted to the Customs at the registered port of the vessel or any other port as approved by Ministry of Agriculture.   GR (Original) will be retained by the Customs for capturing of data in Customs’ Electronic Data Interchange. (ix). Customs will give their running serial number on both the copies of GR Form and will return the duplicate copy to the exporter as the value certification of the export has already been done as mentioned above. (x). Rules, Regulations and Directions issued in respect of the procedure for submission of the GR form by exporter to the AD Category-I banks, and the disposal of these forms by these banks will be same as applicable to the other exporters. ANNEX-II List of International Marine Cargo Surveyors KOREA Hyopsung Surveyors & Sworn Measures Corporation 12F1, Yuchang Building, 25-2, 4-Ka, Chungang – dong Churg-Ku, Busan SGS Korea Co.Ltd., Sing Um Building, 151-11, Basngllm-dang, Choong-Ku, Seoul C P O Box 8283, Seoul Korea Marine Surveyors & Sworn Measurer Corporation (KOMSA) Rm, 805, New Seoul Building, 82-7, 2-Ka, Choongmqo-ro, Choong-Ku, Seoul, C P O Box 3121, SEOUL International Inspection and Testing Corporation Rm 500, Kwang Hak Building 380-1, 2-Ka, Tslqyung-ro, Choong-ku, Seoul C P O Box No-423, Seoul. I R C Limited 5-26, Hyoohang-dong, Yongoon-ku, Seoul 140-120 Universal Inspection Co.Ltd.(UNICO) Rm,202, Duok Boo Building 28-2-ka, Talpyung-ro, Choong-ku, Seoul, Korea TOKYO Nippon Kaiji Kentei Kyokai, Japan Marine Surveyors & Sworn Measures Association Marine Survey Section, Survey Department, Kaiji Building, 9-7, 1 Chome, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104 Shin Nihon Kentei Kyokai (New Japan Surveyors and Sworn Measures Association) Inspection Division, Keikyu No.2 Building, No.25-23 3-Chome, Takanawa, Minato-ku Tokyo 108. Nihon Reitou Shokunin Kensa Kyokai (Japan Frozen Food Inspection Association) Inspection Division, Toyokuni Building, 2-4-6, Shiba Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo Shin Ni Hon Kentel Kyokai, Keikyu No 2, Building No. 25-23, 3-Chome Takanawa, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 108 Japan. Tel.03-3449-2611; Fax 03-344-2636. KUALA LUMPUR Alex Stewart Intercorp (MP Sdn Bhd.), 123E, 1st Floor Jalan Macalister Wisma Lister Garden, Penang. Nippon Kaiji Kentei (M) Sdn Bhd 9th Floor, Bangunan Yee Seng 15, Jalan Raja Chulan 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Panaco Marine Sdn Bhd., 2902, Taman Chua Ah Kee Kemaman Port Kelang. Ritchie & Bisset Marine Services Sdn Bhd., Chartered Bank Chambers, Port Kelang. Trident Malaysia Sdn Bhd., 8A Jalan Berangan, Port Kelang. Unispec Services Sdn Bhd., 45-B, Jalan Beringin, Port Kelang. BANGKOK SGS (THAILAND) LTD 994, SOI Thonglor, Sukhumvit, 55 Road, Bangkok 10110. Lloyd Triestino (Thailand) Ltd 6th Floor, C C T Building 109, Surawong Road, Bangkok 10500 Overseas Merchandise Inspection Co.Ltd. 12-4, SOI Yen-Arkad 3, Yannawa Bangkok 10120. PHILIPPINES Paragon Marine & Technical Services Inc. Rm 305, Mercantile Insurance Building Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila 497789. Oceanica Cargo Marine Surveyors Corp. Rm 405 Wallem Phils Building Cox. Beaterio & Legaspi St., Intramuros, Manila Greater Marine Cargo Surveyors and Technical Services FEMII Building, Intramuros, Manila American Bureau of Shipping Rm.305 PPL Building, United Nations Avenue, Manila Bureau Veritas Rm 514, Burke Building Escelta, Manila OTHERS M/s Mejumi Enterprise Pte.Ltd. 40, East Coast Road, 06-03, Singapore – 428 766 Tel (65) 6344 5832; E-mail: [email protected] Cargo Inspect Canada Marine Cargo Surveyor, Adjuster & Consultant. Canada Phone 18778660001.E.mial:[email protected] G.O.D Marine Services (International Cargo Survey) Co.Ltd. 145/11 M 6 Soi Paneadchang Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi. 20150. Tel.(663) 8716039; E. mail:[email protected]
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/267 · issued 21 Nov 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks handling export documents for deep sea fishing, Indian-owned deep sea fishing vessel operators with Ministry of Agriculture LOP, Exporters of marine catch via mid-sea trans-shipment, International cargo surveyors listed in RBI's updated annex), your first concrete step on “Mid-Sea Trans-shipment Rules for Deep Sea Fishing Vessels” is: “Update internal export documentation checklists to accept GR forms signed by vessel master for mid-sea trans-shipments.” (RBI issued this 21 Nov 2011).

  1. Circular: RBI/2011-12/267 -- Mid-Sea Trans-shipment Rules for Deep Sea Fishing Vessels
  2. Issued: 21 Nov 2011
  3. Action required: Update internal export documentation checklists to accept GR forms signed by vessel master for mid-sea trans-shipments.
  4. Action required: Inform fishing vessel clients about the new GR procedure, including the need for international cargo surveyor certificates.
  5. Action required: Ensure Bill of Lading or trans-shipment receipts include the GR form number for all such exports.
  6. Action required: Train staff to calculate realization period from the earlier of transfer date (master-certified) or invoice date.
  7. Action required: Verify that GR forms reference the Ministry of Agriculture Letter of Permission number and date.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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