Section Text
1[151B. Reciprocal arrangement for exchange of information facilitating trade.--(1) The Central
Government may enter into an agreement or any other arrangement with the Government of any country
outside India or with such competent authorities of that country, as it deems fit, for facilitation of trade,
enforcing the provisions of this Act and exchange of information for trade facilitation, effective risk analysis,
verification of compliance and prevention, combating and investigation of offences under the provisions of
this Act or under the corresponding laws in force in that country.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, direct that the provisions of this section shall apply
to the contracting State with which reciprocal agreement or arrangements have been made, subject to such
conditions, exceptions or qualifications as may be specified in that notification.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), the information received under sub-section (1) may
also be used as evidence in investigations and proceedings under this Act.
(4) Where the Central Government has entered into a multilateral agreement for exchange of information
or documents for the purpose of verification of compliance in identified cases, the Board shall specify the
procedure for such exchange, the conditions subject to which such exchange shall be made and designation of
the person through whom such information shall be exchanged.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub-section (3),
anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken, in pursuance to any agreement
entered into or any other arrangement made by the Central Government prior to the date on which the
Finance Bill, 2018 receives the assent of the President, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under
the provisions of this section.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, the expressions,--
(i) "contracting State" means any country outside India in respect of which agreement or
arrangements have been made by the Central Government with the Government or authority of such
country through an agreement or otherwise;
(ii) "corresponding law" means any law in force in the contracting State corresponding to any of
the provisions of this Act or dealing with offences in that country corresponding to any of the
offences under this Act.]
1. Ins. by Act 13 of 2018, s. 98 (w.e.f. 28-3-2018).