Reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the interests of trade and industry, the Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has submitted two important representations to the Government of India, seeking policy interventions on long-pending Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) applications and the rationalization of the GST structure for the corrugated packaging industry.
In a representation addressed to the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Regional Authority, Ahmedabad, GCCI urged the expeditious disposal of long-pending Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) applications under the Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Schemes.
GCCI President Shri Teja Kangad stated that several exporters and manufacturing units from the Kutch region have already fulfilled their export obligations and submitted all the prescribed documents, yet their EODC applications and licence closure cases have remained pending for a considerable period. He emphasized that these delays are creating compliance issues, regulatory uncertainty, and operational challenges for genuine exporters, while also restricting them from availing various export promotion benefits.
The Chamber noted that timely disposal of EODC applications is essential for ensuring smooth export operations, reducing compliance burdens, and strengthening exporters’ confidence.
GCCI Hon. Secretary Shri Mahesh Tirthani said the Chamber has requested the DGFT Regional Authority to undertake a special drive to clear the backlog of pending EODC cases and ensure time-bound processing of applications where all statutory requirements have already been fulfilled. He expressed confidence that prompt intervention by the DGFT would improve regulatory efficiency, facilitate ease of doing business, and contribute to the growth of exports from the Kutch region and the country.
In another significant representation addressed to the Hon’ble Finance Minister of India and Chairperson of the GST Council, GCCI sought the rationalization of GST rates on Kraft Paper and Corrugated Boxes to eliminate the prevailing inverted duty structure affecting the packaging industry.
The Chamber highlighted that Kraft Paper, the primary raw material used in manufacturing corrugated boxes, attracts 18% GST, while Corrugated Boxes are taxed at only 5% GST, resulting in the accumulation of unutilized Input Tax Credit (ITC).
President Shri Teja Kangad pointed out that although refund provisions exist under the GST framework, procedural limitations often lead to only partial refunds, causing significant blockage of working capital. This particularly impacts MSMEs by creating liquidity constraints, increasing compliance costs, and delaying the realization of legitimate tax credits.
Hon. Secretary Shri Mahesh Tirthani emphasized that the corrugated packaging industry plays a vital role in supporting sectors such as agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, engineering goods, exports, logistics, and e-commerce. GCCI has urged the GST Council to bring both Kraft Paper and Corrugated Boxes under a uniform GST rate, thereby removing the inverted duty structure, improving liquidity, simplifying GST compliance, reducing procedural burdens, and enhancing the competitiveness of the packaging industry.
The Chamber expressed confidence that a favourable decision by the Government on both representations would provide substantial relief to exporters and manufacturers, strengthen ease of doing business, support domestic manufacturing, improve regulatory efficiency, and enhance India’s export competitiveness.
