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Posted by Admin on April, 14, 2026
Section 1 — Foundation
What is AIFTA? The India–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement Explained
The ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA), officially known as the Agreement on Trade in Goods under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and India, came into force in January 2010. It is one of the most impactful trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region, covering over 1.9 billion people and enabling preferential tariff rates between India and the 10 ASEAN member states.
Under AIFTA, goods that meet prescribed Rules of Origin (RoO) criteria are eligible for substantially reduced or zero import duties in ASEAN countries. For raw minerals like feldspar, quartz, and mica that are naturally extracted in India, the path to duty concession is straightforward — these products qualify under the "Wholly Obtained" (WO) category, the simplest and most powerful origin status available.
🌏 ASEAN Member Nations Covered Under AIFTA
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam — all 10 nations are parties to AIFTA and their importers can claim preferential tariff treatment on qualifying Indian goods.
Why This Matters for Ceramic & Industrial Mineral Buyers in ASEAN
If your factory in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Thailand imports Potash Feldspar, Soda Feldspar, Quartz, or Muscovite Mica from India, you are very likely leaving significant duty savings on the table by not claiming AIFTA preferential rates. This guide tells you exactly how to claim those savings legally and correctly.
Section 2 — Rules of Origin
What Does "Wholly Obtained" (WO) Mean Under AIFTA?
Under Article 4 (Rule 4) of the AIFTA Rules of Origin (Annex 3), a product is considered "Wholly Obtained" in a country when it is entirely grown, extracted, or produced in that country, without any materials or components imported from a third country.
📜 AIFTA Rule 4 — Wholly Obtained Goods (Verbatim Classification Criteria)
The following goods shall be considered as "wholly obtained or produced" in a Party:
- Mineral products extracted from the soil or seabed of a Party — DIRECT MATCH for Feldspar, Quartz, Mica
- Plants and vegetable products harvested in a Party
- Live animals born and raised in a Party
- Products of hunting, fishing conducted in a Party
- Waste and scrap from manufacturing operations in a Party
This is the critical point: Feldspar, Quartz, and Muscovite Mica extracted from Indian mines are, by definition, "Wholly Obtained" under AIFTA. India is the Party (country) of origin. The mineral is extracted from Indian soil. No third-country input whatsoever is involved. The WO status is automatic and undeniable.
The Two Main Rules of Origin Under AIFTA
| Origin Rule | Definition | Applies To | Status for Indian Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wholly Obtained (WO) | Product entirely obtained/produced in one country with no foreign inputs | Raw minerals, agricultural produce, animals | ✓ QUALIFIES |
| Substantial Transformation | Product has undergone sufficient processing (40% local value content or CTH change) | Manufactured goods, processed items | Not required (WO is simpler) |
Section 3 — Products & HS Codes
Indian Minerals That Qualify as WO Under AIFTA: Product-by-Product Guide
HS Code Reference Table for AIFTA Tariff Concession Claims
| Mineral | HS Code | Chapter | WO Status | Key Use in ASEAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potash Feldspar | 2529.10 / 2529.1000 | Chapter 25 | WO ✓ | Ceramic tiles, porcelain, sanitaryware |
| Soda Feldspar | 2529.10 / 2529.1000 | Chapter 25 | WO ✓ | Floor tiles, wall tiles, glaze, bone china |
| Quartz (Lump/Powder) | 2506.10 / 2506.20 | Chapter 25 | WO ✓ | Glass, ceramics, paints, semiconductors |
| Silica Sand | 2505.10 | Chapter 25 | WO ✓ | Glass manufacturing, foundry sand |
| Muscovite Mica (Powder) | 2525.20 | Chapter 25 | WO ✓ | Cosmetics, paint, plastics, electronics |
| Muscovite Mica (Crude) | 2525.10 | Chapter 25 | WO ✓ | Electrical insulation, rubber, filler |
💡 Key Insight: Chapter 25 = Best WO Coverage
All the minerals supplied by Aalok Overseas / FeldsparIndia.com fall under Chapter 25 of the Harmonized System — "Salt; Sulphur; Earths and Stone; Plastering Materials, Lime and Cement." Virtually all Chapter 25 goods extracted from Indian mines qualify as WO under AIFTA automatically. This is the cleanest, most defensible origin claim in international trade.
Section 4 — Documentation
AIFTA Certificate of Origin: Understanding Form AI (The "AI Certificate")
The document that unlocks all AIFTA tariff concessions is the Certificate of Origin – Form AI, commonly referred to by importers and customs brokers as the "AI Certificate" or "AIFTA Certificate of Origin." This is the single most searched document by procurement and QC managers across ASEAN who import Indian raw minerals.
📄 What is Form AI?
Form AI is the official Certificate of Origin issued by authorized Indian government agencies (such as the Export Inspection Council, Textile Committee, DGFT offices, or other designated bodies) certifying that a consignment of goods:
- Originates from India (the exporting Party to AIFTA)
- Meets the applicable Rules of Origin (WO or Substantial Transformation)
- Is therefore eligible for preferential tariff treatment in the importing ASEAN country
Key Fields in the AIFTA Form AI — What Your QC Team Must Verify
| Box / Field | What It Contains | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Box 8 | Origin Criterion | Must state "WO" for minerals — confirm this is correctly filled |
| Box 9 | Gross Weight / Quantity | Must match Bill of Lading and Invoice exactly |
| Box 10 | Invoice Number & Date | Must match Commercial Invoice — discrepancies lead to rejection |
| Box 11 | Declaration by Exporter | Signed by authorized exporter — must be original signature |
| Box 12 | Certification by Competent Authority | Official stamp + signature of issuing authority in India |
| Box 7 | HS Code & Product Description | HS Code must match customs declaration in importing country |
| Box 5 | Item Number & Port of Discharge | Destination port in ASEAN country — critical for customs routing |
Who Issues Form AI in India?
The following Indian authorities are authorized to issue AIFTA Form AI Certificates of Origin:
- Export Inspection Council (EIC) and its regional offices across India
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) offices in major port cities
- Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)
- Commodity Boards designated by the Ministry of Commerce
- Various notified Chambers of Commerce authorized under AIFTA
— Ms. Ankita Agrawal, Director – Exports & International Relations, Aalok Overseas
Section 5 — Country-Specific Savings
Duty Concessions by ASEAN Country: What Your Factory Can Save
The exact tariff reduction under AIFTA varies by country and HS code. In most ASEAN nations, Chapter 25 minerals (including feldspar, quartz, and mica) have been progressively reduced — in many cases to 0% under the Normal Track (NT). Here is an overview by key country:
Vietnam
Major importer of Indian feldspar for ceramic tile manufacturing in Binh Duong, Long An, Bình Định. AIFTA duty concessions on 2529.10 significantly reduce landed cost vs. MFN rates.
Tràng thạch Ấn Độ — Thạch anh — Mica
AIFTA Savings AvailableIndonesia
Ceramic tile capital of ASEAN. Indonesian ceramic factories in Surabaya, Jakarta, Bandung benefit hugely from reduced-duty Indian feldspar and quartz imports under AIFTA.
Feldspar India — Kuarsa — Mika Muskovit
AIFTA Savings AvailableMalaysia
Active importer of industrial minerals for ceramics, glass, and paint industries. AIFTA Form AI enables significant tariff reductions for Malaysian importers of Indian feldspar.
Feldspar India — Kuarza — Mika Muskovit
AIFTA Savings AvailableThailand
Thailand's ceramics and glass industries are substantial consumers of Indian quartz and feldspar. Bangkok-based importers use AIFTA Form AI for customs clearance at lower rates.
เฟลด์สปาร์อินเดีย — ควอตซ์ — ไมก้า
AIFTA Savings AvailablePhilippines
Ceramics and electronics sectors import Indian minerals. Philippine Bureau of Customs accepts AIFTA Form AI for preferential duty on Chapter 25 mineral imports from India.
Feldspar India — Quartz — Mica
AIFTA Savings AvailableSingapore
As a re-export hub, Singapore has low MFN duties, but AIFTA documentation still required for re-exports to other ASEAN nations claiming India-origin preferential status.
India Feldspar — Quartz — Muscovite Mica
Re-export GatewayMyanmar
Growing ceramics sector with increasing demand for
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