Source: Handbook of Procedures 2023, Chapter 10, DGFT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, updated 05 June 2025. Para 10.12(D).

The Problem This Blog Answers

Your Indian company imports SCOMET items from a foreign entity for repair at your facility in India. Once repaired, the items need to go back to the foreign entity or into your repair supply chain abroad. Every re-export technically requires a SCOMET authorisation. If you handle multiple repair consignments through the year, applying for a fresh authorisation each time is operationally unworkable.

Is there a standing authorisation that covers repeated re-exports of repaired items without requiring a fresh application each time?

Yes. It is called GAER: General Authorization for Export after Repair in India.

What Is GAER?

As per Para 10.12(D) of HBP 2023, the General Authorization for Export after Repair in India (GAER) is a one-time standing authorisation issued by DGFT that allows an eligible Indian exporter to repeatedly re-export imported SCOMET items to related entities and the repair supply chain in the foreign country, after those items have been repaired at a designated facility in India, subject to post-reporting obligations after each export.

The key phrase is one-time registration. You apply once, get approved, and re-export multiple times during the validity period without filing a fresh application for each consignment.

What Does GAER Cover?

GAER covers the re-export of imported SCOMET items that have been brought to India for repair and are being returned after repair to related entities or the repair supply chain in the foreign country.

Two important scope boundaries to understand upfront:

First: GAER covers imported items only. Items manufactured in India that were exported and returned for repair fall under a different route at Para 10.12(B) of HBP 2023. GAER is not applicable to those items.

Second: GAER excludes software and technology. The authorisation covers physical SCOMET items brought in for repair. Software and technology transfers require separate authorisation.

Who Are the Eligible Recipients Under GAER?

As per Para 10.12(D) of HBP 2023, re-exports under GAER can only go to two categories of recipients:

Related entities, defined as:

• Direct subsidiary of the Indian Company
• Foreign Parent of the Indian Company
• Another Subsidiary of the foreign parent of the Indian Company

Repair supply chain, defined as:

• Authorized Vendor of the Indian company
• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with whom the Indian company has a Master Service Agreement, Electronic Manufacturer Service agreement, or Contract Agreement defining conditions of undertaking repair in India

Re-exports to any entity outside these two categories are not permitted under GAER. If you need to re-export to a different entity, you must either apply for a new GAER or file an individual application under Para 10.12(C) of HBP 2023.

What Conditions Must Be Fulfilled?

As per Para 10.12(D)(A) of HBP 2023, all of the following conditions must be met:

Condition 1: Items must have been imported for repair The SCOMET items must have been imported to a designated or authorized repair facility in India for the purpose of repair under a contract agreement or Master Service Agreement or Electronic Manufacturer Agreement, or imported under a contract agreement between the Indian exporter, entities of the repair facility if different from the exporter, and the entity abroad, defining the Statement of Work or Scope of Work including conditions for undertaking repair in India.

Condition 2: Re-export only to related entities and repair supply chain Items can only be re-exported to related entities and repair supply chain in the foreign country as defined above.

Condition 3: One-time registration The exporter registers and obtains GAER only once during the validity period. Subsequent exports are subject to post-reporting. You do not reapply for each consignment.

Condition 4: Bill of Entry for first shipment The exporter must provide the Bill of Entry for the imported item while applying for GAER for the first shipment.

Condition 5: Same entity and same location Subsequent exports are allowed only to the same entity and location to which the authorisation was originally issued. Same entity means the foreign buyer, consignee or intermediaries if any, and the end user are exactly the same as for which authorisation was issued.

Condition 6: No change to specifications after repair There must be no change to the original characteristics or specifications of the SCOMET items after repair, and no value addition must have been done during the repair work.

Condition 7: No suspended or revoked original authorisation No GAER will be granted if the initial export authorisation issued by the country of import has been suspended, modified, or revoked.

Condition 8: No UNSC sanctioned destinations No GAER will be granted for UNSC sanctioned destinations or countries or entities of high risk as assessed by the IMWG from time to time.

Condition 9: No EUC required No End Use Certificate is required under GAER. This is a significant practical advantage over individual SCOMET authorisations.

Condition 10: GAER is item-specific and entity-specific GAER issued for a specific item and specific entity is not applicable if the re-export is of a different imported item, or to a different entity, or to a different Authorised OEM. In such cases, either a new GAER must be applied for, or an individual application must be filed under Para 10.12(C) of HBP 2023.

Condition 11: ICP requirement for intra-company transfers A certified or approved Internal Compliance Programme, or demonstrated compliance to the ICP of the foreign company, or ICP certified by the compliance manager of that company, is mandatory for intra-company transfers.

Condition 12: AEO Certification for re-export to vendors or OEMs Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certification along with ICP compliance is mandatory for re-exports to vendors or OEMs.

Condition 13: Military end use exclusion GAER will not be issued for items to be used to design, develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer, or use chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons, or for missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

What Documents Are Required?

As per Para 10.12(D)(A) of HBP 2023, the application must be submitted through the online SCOMET portal using proforma ANF 10A, along with the following documents:

1. Proof of import of the item

• Export Authorisation issued by the foreign country for the original import of the items to India, if applicable
• Documentary proof or self-declaration that the item is exempted from license requirement or placed under no license requirement for India
• Bill of Entry for the first shipment

2. Proof of obligation for repair Contract agreement or Statement of Work or Master Service Agreement between the Indian exporter and the entity abroad, or the Direct Subsidiary, or the Parent or another Subsidiary of the foreign parent of the Indian Company, or the Authorised Vendor, or the OEM having an EMS agreement or Master Service Agreement or contract with the Indian Company, from which the goods were originally imported, defining the conditions for undertaking repair in India.

3. Undertaking from the Indian exporter on company letterhead, signed and stamped by the authorised signatory, covering:

• Details of imported items to be exported after repair including SCOMET Category and sub-category number, quantity, item description, and ECCN of the foreign country if available
• Confirmation that items are being exported only to related entities and repair supply chain in the foreign country
• Confirmation that there has been no change to original characteristics or specifications after import and no value addition during repair work
• Confirmation that repair is allowed under the conditions of import or contractual agreement
• Commitment that Shipping Bills and Bill of Entry into the destination country of subsequent re-exports and any other information sought by DGFT will be submitted on a quarterly basis
• Confirmation that items will not be used for military applications or for development, acquisition, manufacture, possession, transport, transfer, or use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction

4. Internal Compliance Programme Certified or approved ICP, or demonstrated compliance to the ICP of the foreign company, or ICP certified by the compliance manager of that company. This is mandatory only for intra-company transfers.

5. AEO Certification along with ICP compliance Mandatory for re-exports to vendors or OEMs.

Post-Reporting Obligations

As per Para 10.12(D)(C) of HBP 2023, after each re-export under GAER, the Indian exporter must submit post-shipment details to the SCOMET Division of DGFT Headquarters, New Delhi, via email at scomet-dgft@nic.in or through a procedure as prescribed by DGFT.

Frequency: Quarterly, covering March, June, September, and December.

Deadline: By the end of the subsequent month of each quarter, in respect of exports made in the previous quarter.

What to submit: Bill of Entry wherever available, shipping bill details, and valid export license copy.

Consequence of non-compliance: Failure to submit post-shipment details may result in imposition of penalty, suspension or revocation of GAER, and action under the FT(D&R) Act.

Validity

As per Para 10.17 of HBP 2023, GAER is valid for a period of 1 year from the date of issue, subject to subsequent post-reporting within 30 days from the date of each export.

GAER has the shortest validity period of all six General Authorisation routes. Plan your repair contracts and import cycles accordingly.

Can GAER Be Revalidated?

No. As per Para 10.20 of HBP 2023, GAER cannot be revalidated. Once it expires, a fresh application must be filed.

When Can GAER Be Suspended or Revoked?

As per Para 10.12(D)(D) of HBP 2023, GAER will be suspended or revoked by DGFT on receipt of an adverse report on proliferation concern, or for non-submission of mandatory reports or documents within the prescribed timelines, or for non-compliance with the conditions of the authorisation.

Additionally, DGFT reserves the right to deny issuance of GAER or to recall GAER at any time.

How GAER Differs from Individual Repair Authorisations

Para 10.12 of HBP 2023 provides four separate routes for repair-related exports. Understanding where GAER fits helps you choose the right route:

If you only need to re-export once, Para 10.12(C) may be more appropriate. GAER is designed for exporters who handle repeated repair and re-export cycles involving the same items and the same foreign entities.

GAER at a Glance