Import controls on un-shredded metal scrap require clearance through designated seaports and pre-inspection certificates from country of origin.
Imports of un-shredded metallic scrap must clear through notified designated seaports; ICDs may handle clearance only if consignments pass through those seaports. Import consignments require a pre-inspection certificate from the country of origin, superseding the earlier provision in Public Notice No. 23/2015-20, although the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certification requirement will be reviewed when the mechanism under Public Notice No. 38/2016 is operationalised and risk is assessed.

Designated ports for un shredded metallic scrap imports narrowed; specified ports must install radiation portal monitors and scanners or face derecognition.
Paragraph 2.54(d)(iv) of the Handbook of Procedures, 2015-2020 is amended to narrow the list of designated ports for import of un shredded metallic scrap and to bar exceptions including for EOUs and SEZs. The listed sea ports are permitted to import un shredded scrap on a temporary basis until they install and operationalise Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners; ports failing to meet the installation requirement within the extended period will be derecognized for such imports.

Export obligation period limited for specified inputs under Advance Authorizations, including stricter 12 month rule for certain drug imports.
Amendments to Appendix 4J set specific export obligation periods for inputs imported under Advance Authorizations with pre import conditions, specifying distinct periods for categories such as spice inputs for value addition, drugs from unregistered sources, penicillin and 6 APA from unregistered sources, tea, silk, precious metals, raw sugar, natural rubber, certain notified SION items, and fabrics under the Special Advance Authorization Scheme. General Note No.15 of the Chemical and Allied Products SION restricts export obligation to 12 months for penicillin/6 APA imported from unregistered sources, prohibits further extension, and requires the licensing authority to endorse this on the Authorization; imports from registered sources follow the normal period.

Harmonization of MEIS schedule aligns export incentive descriptions with ITC (HS) 2017; harmonized schedule available on DGFT website.
The Trade Notice issues a harmonized MEIS schedule revising Appendix 3B (Table 2) descriptions to align MEIS entries with ITC (HS), 2017 nomenclature, and states the harmonized schedule is published and available on the Director General of Foreign Trade website.

Harmonisation of MEIS schedule with updated HS classification ensures a consolidated export incentive schedule and revised sequence.
The re-notified MEIS Schedule in Appendix 3B harmonises MEIS listings with ITC(HS) 2017, consolidating earlier notifications into a single sequence mapped to 2017 HS codes and descriptions, publishing the applicable incentive rates, and declaring the consolidated schedule effective for shipments from the stated commencement date; the consolidated list is available on the official website.

MEIS benefit removal on guar flour and meal renders those exports ineligible under FTP policy.
The Director General of Foreign Trade, under authority of the Foreign Trade Policy, amends Appendix 3B by revising Sl. No. 472 for ITC(HS) code 11061000 to exclude guar seeds; as a result, flour, meal and powder of guar seeds are immediately ineligible for MEIS benefits.

Change of jurisdiction for IEC holders: new RA must amend IEC on documents and notify the original RA, enabling benefits
When an IEC holder seeks modification of Head Office or Registered Office address involving a jurisdictional RA shift, the request must be made to the new RA into whose jurisdiction the applicant is relocating. The new RA will examine submitted documents, amend the IEC as appropriate, allow the applicant to carry out necessary functions and apply for eligible benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy, and separately inform the RA that originally issued the IEC of the changes made.

Jurisdictional RA choice for export incentive claims requires an annual option and prescribes MEIS/SEIS filing authorities.
Applicants must elect one Jurisdictional RA at the start of the financial year based on IEC endorsed office address; that election is fixed for the year. MEIS jurisdiction: DTA/EHTP/BTP/STP units use DGFT Jurisdictional RA; SEZ/EOU units use respective SEZ Development Commissioner; mixed units apply to respective jurisdictions. SEIS requires a single annual application: DTA units to DGFT RA, SEZ units to respective Development Commissioner, multiple SEZ units to the Commissioner of the SEZ with highest forex earnings, and mixed DTA+SEZ units to DGFT Jurisdictional RA.

Pre-shipment inspection agencies recognised for issuing PSICs; four agencies approved and additional instruments authorised under FTP.
Four private agencies (CWM Survey & Inspection; Global Multitrade Inc.; SMV International Incorporation; Nectar Inspection Services LLC) are recognized and included in Appendix 2G for issuance of Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates for three years under Para 2.55(d) of HBP 2015-20. The notice lists each agency's offices, operational scope, and records approval of additional spectrometers and survey meters with calibration and purchase documentation in an annexure to validate equipment for PSIC issuance.

Amendment of authorised import and export items allowed with nexus certificate by independent Chartered Engineer and specified export proof.
Permits EPCG authorisation holders to apply for amendment of authorised import and export item lists while authorisation or export-obligation period remains valid, requiring justification and a fresh nexus certificate from an independent Chartered Engineer; clarifies third-party export proof as either an ARE-1 certificate with Customs authentication and shipping bill details or an invoice quoting the EPCG authorisation number and date where not registered with Central Excise.

Product description corrections align MEIS Schedule classifications with ITC(HS), clarifying covered goods and retroactive applicability.
Amendments correct specific product descriptions in the MEIS Schedule (Table 2 of Appendix 3B) to align nomenclature with the ITC (HS), replacing inaccurate or abbreviated descriptions for designated ITC(HS) tariff lines. The corrections are declared effective from 01.04.2015 and the MEIS Schedules are to be read with the corrected product descriptions to ensure consistency with ITC (HS) classifications.

IEC modification procedures revised so the jurisdictional RA processes address-change requests and permits benefit access at the new address.
Procedural amendments require the Regional Authority under whose jurisdiction the applicant exists to process IEC address-change requests and amend the IEC if appropriate, intimating the RA to which transfer is sought; the receiving RA shall allow the entity at its new address to perform functions and apply for FTP benefits. Rejected online IEC applicants who have paid the application fee may rectify defects and reapply without further fee. Application fees paid for earlier cancelled authorizations may be adjusted against replacement authorizations, subject to a minimum fee and proper linkage by the RA.

Correction of SION table references updates engineering product entries and deletes a specified footnote phrase in the Handbook.
Corrections amend table references in multiple SIONs for engineering products and delete the sentence "given at the end of this product group" from specified SION footnotes, replacing incorrect table numbers with the corrected table numbers to align SION cross-references with the Engineering Table structure in the Handbook of Procedure Vol. II.

Tariff rate quota allocation for raw sugar to USA permits export subject to export duty and certification requirements.
A quantity of raw sugar from the non-levy (Free Sale) quota is allocated for export to the USA under the Tariff Rate Quota for the US fiscal year 2017, available up to 30 September 2017; such exports are 'Free' under the governing notification but subject to the 20% export duty effective 16 June 2016, with Certificate of Origin issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, and applicable reporting requirements to be followed.

EU GSP REX: exporters must register to self certify origin; consignments over 6000 require REX statements.
The Public Notice notifies implementation of the Registered Exporter (REX) system for EU GSP self certification from 1 January 2017. Exporters may register without fee; registered exporters may self issue statements on origin on commercial documents to claim GSP preferences. A twelve month transition allows competent authorities to issue Form A until 31 December 2017; from 1 January 2018 consignments above EUR 6,000 require a REX statement by a registered exporter for preferential treatment. Competent authorities will register exporters, assign REX numbers, maintain records and perform verifications.

Pre-shipment inspection agency recognition: National Marine Consultants added to Appendix 2G, authorised to issue PSICs under policy.
National Marine Consultants Inc., USA is included in Appendix 2G as a Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency under Para 2.55(d) of HBP 2015-20, authorised to issue Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates with immediate effect for listed territories. The recognition is for a fixed term from the date of the public notice. An annexure records the agency's approved spectrometers and survey meters with calibration and purchase documentation required for PSIC issuance.

MEIS benefit extension for onion exports under specified HS code extends incentive eligibility through end of March.
Extension of the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) benefit for Onions Fresh or Chilled under ITC (HS) code 07031010 maintains the notified FOB-based incentive rate for an additional three-month period ending 31 March 2017, preserving exporter eligibility to claim the MEIS incentive for shipments of the specified commodity made within that extended period.

Duty Credit Scrips eligibility: LEO date governs export incentive claims, treating LEO as Date of Export for Chapter 3 benefits.
Claims for Chapter 3 Duty Credit Scrips are permitted where the LEO date is on or prior to 31.03.2015 even if the Date of Export is on or after 01.04.2015, with the LEO date to be treated as the Date of Export; this follows para 9.12 HBP 2009-14's protection for consignments handed to Customs, and the online module has been updated. Applications filed within the prescribed period will be exempt from the HBP late fee, while later filings will attract the applicable late fee.

Pre Shipment Inspection recognition: seven agencies added to Appendix 2G authorising issuance of PSICs under HBP provisions.
Seven foreign inspection agencies are included in Appendix 2G as recognized Pre Shipment Inspection Agencies authorised to issue Pre Shipment Inspection Certificates under the Handbook provision governing PSIA recognition. Inclusion takes immediate effect for a fixed statutory term from the notice date and is subject to documentary and procedural conditions. An annexure lists approved spectrometers and survey meters for each agency with calibration, purchase invoice and photographic evidence recorded to confirm technical compliance for PSIC issuance.

Deletion of Kuth Root from MEIS schedule removes its ITC-HS entry and takes immediate effect under Foreign Trade Policy.
The Director General of Foreign Trade has deleted Kuth Root (ITC-HS Code 12119046) from Appendix 3B of the MEIS schedule (Sl. No. 506) under powers conferred by the Foreign Trade Policy; the deletion is effective immediately and the specified entry no longer appears in Appendix 3B for MEIS purposes.