Standard Input Output Norms (SION) and ITC-HS Codes

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The HBP guidelines are regularly updated. This ensures these guidelines reflect the changes in internal trade laws and regulations. Recent amendments made to the HBP guidelines have included updates to the SCOMET list and the inclusion of new trade agreements such as the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA)​.


These are predetermined benchmarks that mention the quantity and type of inputs needed to make a unit of output for a specific product or service. The characteristics of SION include the following:

Benchmarks that are predefined: SIONs provide standardised benchmarks for different products, thus, ensuring uniformity and consistency in understanding the entitlements of exporters.
Hefty coverage: SIONs cover a wide range of products across an array of tunisia phone number list industries like manufacturing, services, and agriculture.
Timely review: SIONs are reviewed promptly to make way for changes in the market dynamics, policy advancements, and technology.
Publication: SIONs are approved in the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) issued by DGFT to enable their access to exporters and stakeholders.

The EXIM Policy of India encompasses several policy measures and related decisions taken by the government for imports to and exports from the country. Moreover, it also discusses the different promotion measures deployed for exports, the policies and procedures that govern it, and more. In 1991, the EXIM policies slowly became more liberal, and a 5-year policy was introduced in the year 1992. The EXIM Policy has slowly transformed from ‘import liberalisation’ to ‘export promotion’. The focus has recently been on the strengthening of bonds between indigenous industries to take the country’s exports to greater heights.