Service, Regulatory Updates and Important Notifications

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, Government of India, has issued amendments to the Export Policy prohibiting the export of all ventilators, including artificial respiratory apparatus, oxygen therapy apparatus or breathing appliance/device, sanitizers and Hydroxychloroquine.

The list of items prohibited for export is below:

*The export of Hydroxychloroquine and its formulations will be allowed only under the following conditions:

• From Special Economic Zones (SEZs)/Export Oriented Units (EOUs) and in cases where export is made to fulfill an export obligation under any advance license issued on/before the date of this notification
• Shipments where Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ICLC) has been issued before the date of this notification or in cases where full advance payment has been received by the exporter in India against specific shipments, subject to submission of documentary evidence
• By the Government of India to other countries on humanitarian grounds in specific cases on recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs

For further details, please reach out to your FedEx Express Sales Representative.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Department of Commerce, Government of India has  issued  further  amendment  vide  notification  number:  52/2015-2020  dated  March  19,  2020  in  the Export Policy prohibiting the export of Surgical Masks / Disposable Masks (2/3 Ply Masks), Ventilators and Textile raw material for masks and coveralls. 

The  list  of  items  prohibited  for  export  of  masks,  ventilator,  coveralls  and  textile  raw  materials  for masks/coveralls is given below:

For details, reach out to your FedEx Express Sales Representative.  

Due to the situation in the country, service to and from Afghanistan is temporarily disrupted. We will not accept shipments to or from Afghanistan at this time.

With immediate effect, FedEx has resumed document and non-document/product shipping from Bahrain to Qatar. This is in addition to the resumption of services to and from Qatar and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

We look forward to supporting your return to trade, to and from Qatar, however, please note that services from Qatar to Bahrain continue to be prohibited at this time.

We look forward to supporting your return to trade to and from Qatar. Our leading network, and comprehensive service portfolio will help strengthen trade links between these markets. We are absolutely confident in supporting you and look forward to successfully navigating your return to trade with Qatar.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping Products Will Be Prohibited on Domestic and International Shipments from March 1, 2021.

FedEx is changing its policy on the transportation of electronic cigarettes and other vaping products due to the increasingly complex regulatory environment. The prohibition on such products will be effective from March 1, 2021.

From this date, FedEx customers will no longer be able to ship electronic cigarettes and other vaping products through any of the FedEx/TNT domestic or international networks.

If an unauthorized electronic cigarette or vaping product shipment is identified in any FedEx/TNT network during the handling process, it will be treated as a prohibited item in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of carriage.

With the restoration of trade links with Qatar, FedEx has reestablished document shipping between Qatar and the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia with immediate effect, including pick-up and delivery services of document shipments.

Our leading network, and comprehensive service portfolio will help strengthen trade links between these markets. We are absolutely confident in supporting you and look forward to successfully navigating your return to trade between Qatar and the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

As India adjusts to the impact of COVID-19 and takes steps to come out of the lockdown, FedEx continues to deliver for you and your customers. We are committed to the communities we serve and in these uncertain times, we continue to mobilize our network to deliver much needed goods and services to keep the global supply chain moving.

In line with the applicable regulations, effective immediately, FedEx Express and TNT have reinstated door to door pickup and delivery services to select postal codes across key cities in India for both domestic and international services.

As the situation on ground continues to be dynamic in terms of restrictions and containment zones identified by the local authorities, please note:

• The revised cut off time for scheduling a same day pickup via FedEx/TNT toll free is 1:00p.m. and the cut off for shipment pickup from your location by a FedEx courier is 5:00p.m.
• Prior to finalizing your shipment on our online tools, please call FedEx/TNT toll free or write to india@fedex.com to check if the postal code in India is currently serviceable
• Reach out to your FedEx Sales representative in case you send shipments on a regular schedule to plan ahead and to save time by avoiding making individual pickup requests
• Please ensure that your recipient location is open and accessible to accept the delivery of your shipment at destination

Should you have any concern regarding health and safety, please note that we do not require you to physically sign for most deliveries and are taking recommended precautions in terms of social distancing, regular disinfection of facilities and personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and movement restrictions within India and across the world, you may experience extended transit times and clearance delays at destination. We have temporarily suspended Money-Back Guarantee (MBG) and restricted Collect on Delivery (COD) shipments and Hard Copy Proof of Delivery (HPOD) until further notice. A temporary surcharge  on all FedEx Express international parcel, freight and domestic shipments continues to be applicable.

Please visit fedex.com/in to check the status of your shipments or call FedEx international customer service at 1800 209 6161 / 1800 22 6161 and domestic customer service 1800 419 4343 from Monday to Saturday: 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

We’re open for business and here to help. We will continue to operate to and from impacted areas as local conditions and restrictions allow as well as adhering to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities related to containment of the virus.

The Director General of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has issued a circular (No.4/1/2020-IR) suspending arrival of all scheduled Indian and foreign commercial passenger airlines engaged in international travel into any airport in India. The suspension comes into effect at all Indian airports on March 22, 2020 from 0530hrs and will remain in force until March 29, 2020 upto 0530hrs.

While FedEx international cargo flights continue to operate as scheduled in most sectors, FedEx also connects shipments through commercial international passenger airlines. Hence this suspension may impact some inbound and outbound shipments carried on these airlines.

FedEx is providing essential transportation and logistical service around the world to combat the spread of COVID-19 and treat those who've been infected. Our services are vital to keeping supply chains connected and flattening the curve of this invisible virus's spread.

Please visit fedex.com/in to schedule a pick up or to check the status of your shipments.

FedEx is adhering to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities related to the containment of COVID-19, and we are taking recommended precautions in terms of team members and customers health and safety. With new restrictions and limitations coming out daily to help contain the spread of the virus, we've created a site dedicated to the latest information on how we're responding to this very dynamic situation.

Effective February 15, 2020, as per the circular (number 09/2020), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has mandated additional information in the Shipping Bill. 

The shipper should ensure the following information is provided in the commercial invoice:

• The State of Origin of goods
• District of Origin of goods
• Details of Preferential Agreements under which the goods are being exported, as applicable
• Standard Unit Quantity Code (SQC) for that Customs Tariff Heading (CTH) as per the first schedule of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975."

The Indian Customs require a ‘Commercial Invoice / Invoice’ instead of a Pro Forma Invoice to facilitate inbound clearance of commercial shipments arriving into India. All shippers are advised to submit only ‘Commercial Invoice / Invoice’ with their shipments to expedite clearance. Additionally, the invoice must contain the below information:

• Importer on Record’s (IOR) complete name and address, postal address, contact details (telephone and email address)
• IOR name (legal business entity) name must match with the certificate of Import Export Code (IEC) and Goods and Service Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) of IOR
• Proper and specific description of goods instead of a generic description
• Quantity, unit of measurement, unit price, Harmonized System (HS) code, INCOTERMS
• The Invoice must be in English language only with specific value and currency
• The currency, value and INCOTERMS must be mentioned clearly
• Avoid statements like ‘Value for Customs purpose only’

FedEx Express is making the following changes to our Dangerous Goods (DG) shipping policy. This independent initiative anticipates prospective regulatory changes in response to growing concerns about the safe handling of bulk or standalone shipments of lithium batteries.

As of January 1st, 2017 FedEx Express customers sending bulk shipments of lithium batteries (United Nations (UN) number 3090 & United Nations (UN) number 3480) can only do so by treating all such shipments as fully regulated Dangerous Goods (DG) commodities.

Although this will not apply to individual lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment (Section II UN 3091 & UN 3481), after January 1^st, 2017, the United Nations (UN) number must be added to the IATA Lithium Battery Mark. If any further changes are required, we will notify you in advance.

IATA has reported that lithium batteries are now the preferred energy source for many consumer goods ranging from mobile phones to children's toys. Such batteries are however dangerous goods that can pose a safety risk if not prepared in accordance with transport regulations. Click here to read more from IATA.

Shipment monitoring from pick-up to delivery

This initiative will help us increase the visibility of lithium battery types throughout our network and ensure the integrity of such DG shipments until their final destinations.

How does this initiative change bulk lithium battery shipments?

With effect from January 1st, 2017, FedEx Express customers shipping UN 3090 & UN 3480 shipments must carry out the following steps:

• Add a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods which can only be completed by DG-trained personnel.

• Add Class 9 and Cargo Aircraft Only label
  

• Include the United Nations (UN) number on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Lithium Battery Mark

• Review all lithium battery shipment packing to ensure it meets IATA packing instructions UN 3480 - PI965 & UN 3090 - PI968

• Approve a Dangerous Goods Handling surcharge

Where can you find more information?

• Visit http://www.fedex.com/in/learn/lithium-batteries.html
  

• Contact your FedEx Express Customer Services and ask for the Dangerous Goods Specialist
  

• As of October 12th, 2016 the new FedEx Express Lithium Battery Policy Change is included in IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations Manual available for purchase at iata.org This also carries information on lithium battery packing, marking, labelling & documentation
  

Next steps

We will keep you fully informed with updates and further details as soon as they are available. In the meantime, if you have any urgent questions, please contact FedEx Express Customer Service and ask for the Dangerous Goods Specialist.

FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail, e-mail or text messages, payment or personal information in return for goods in transit or in FedEx custody. If you have received any such communication that claims to be from FedEx, do not provide any information or click on any links or attachments. You can report it by forwarding it to abuse@fedex.com. Learn how to identify fraud and what to do if you receive such communications.

If you have any questions or concerns about services provided by FedEx, please visit FedEx Shipping Services or contact FedEx Customer Service.