Passing on GST benefit required to reduce prices; charging higher post-GST instalments may attract anti-profiteering action.
Builders must pass on the GST-related reduction in tax burden to buyers by reducing prices or instalments and must not charge higher tax on instalments payable after GST implementation; withholding such benefit or charging higher post-GST rates may be treated as anti-profiteering under Section 171 of the GST law.

GST rate reduction: specified goods categories identified as having lower tax incidence under the new GST regime after Council rates are set.
The circular states that GST rate fixation is a joint Central State responsibility subject to GST Council approval and notes that for many goods the GST incidence is lower than the present combined indirect tax rates. It supplies an itemised list of tariff headings and goods descriptions-spanning foodstuffs, edible oils, cereals, processed foods, water, cement, fuels, medical supplies, textiles, footwear, stationery, select machinery and household articles-where the GST incidence has been assessed as lower than the existing combined indirect tax burden.

Interest and dividend reporting must be on an entitlement basis for custodial accounts and cover the full calendar year.
SEBI directs depositories to add a data field for RTAs to record corporate action dividend/interest per unit and provide it to DPs; DPs must report dividend and interest on an entitlement basis for the entire calendar year for any demat account identified as reportable, ensuring reporting of total gross amounts generated with respect to assets in custodial accounts as required under the Income Tax Rules.

Non-compliance fines under ICDR Regulations prompt stock exchange enforcement and disclosure for delayed corporate issuance and listing actions.
Liability and enforcement for non compliance with specified provisions of the ICDR Regulations is prescribed by directing recognized stock exchanges to impose daily fines and additional capped penalties for delays in bonus issues, delayed allotment on conversion of convertibles, and failure to approach exchanges for listing; fines realized must be credited to the Investor Protection Fund. Exchanges must publish non compliant entities and fine details, issue notices to pay within a specified period, and may initiate enforcement including prosecution for non payment; bonus issue implementation is tied to the commencement of trading and promoter approvals may follow payment of fines.

GST Facilitation Cell established to serve as first point of contact for Foreign Trade Policy GST issues and rollout support.
Constitution of a GST Facilitation Cell in the office of the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, CLA, New Delhi as the primary contact for addressing GST-related issues under the Foreign Trade Policy; the Cell is headed by Dr. Amiya Chandra, Joint DGFT, with named Deputy DGFT members and provided contact emails to facilitate stakeholder engagement and coordination.

ICES state codes realigned to GST census codes; traders must use new codes and report EDI issues to customs.
ICES state codes will be realigned from RBI-based codes to the Census State Codes used for GSTN; the NIC RES package has been updated and the change affects BE/SB declarations including State of Origin and VAT registration codes. Trade must declare the new codes at submission to avoid ICEGATE discrepancies and report difficulties to the Deputy Commissioner of Customs (EDI).

GST Help Desk established to address GST queries under Foreign Trade Policy, offering phone and email support for traders.
A GST Help Desk has been established at DGFT Headquarters to respond to GST queries related to the Foreign Trade Policy, complementing prior Trade Notice No. 08/2018. The Help Desk provides administrative support to Regional Authorities, trade stakeholders, Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards, and accepts enquiries via a dedicated telephone line and an e-mail address to clarify GST application to trade procedures and policy benefits.

Alignment of ICES state codes to Census codes for GST requires traders to use new codes in BE/SB declarations.
ICES state codes have been re-mapped from the RBI list to Census codes used for GST implementation; the NIC RES package has been updated and the change is implemented from 14.06.2017. Traders must use the new codes in BE/SB declarations to avoid ICEGATE mismatches and may report difficulties to the System Manager/ADC (EDI) or the provided email.

State code alignment with GST requires ICES users to adopt census state codes to prevent declaration rejections.
ICES state codes will be aligned with Census state codes used for GSTN; the NIC RES package has been updated and stakeholders must declare the new census-based state codes in Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills in ICES/ICEGATE to avoid rejection, with operational difficulties to be reported to the customs office.

Custodian appointment under Customs Act designates operator to manage Multi Cargo Terminal subject to customs regulations and compliance.
Appointment of M/s Chettinad International Bulk Terminal Private Limited as custodian of the Multi Cargo Terminal at Kamarajar Port under section 45(1) of the Customs Act, 1962 declares a defined operational area for receipt, storage, delivery, dispatch and handling of import and export goods, specifies the terminal's physical description and boundaries, and requires compliance with the Customs Act, 1962 and the Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations, 2009, subject to time limited custodianship and conditions set in the notice.

ICES state code alignment with GSTN: new Census-based state codes effective 14.06.2017; declare updated codes at ICEGATE.
State codes in ICES are replaced with Census/GSTN-aligned codes for use in Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills; the NIC RES package has been updated and the change is implemented from 14.06.2017. Trade must declare the new codes at ICEGATE to avoid incorrect reporting, and operational difficulties should be reported to the System Manager or the provided email.

State code alignment with GSTN requires importers and brokers to use Census state codes to prevent ICEGATE mis-declarations.
ICES state codes are being changed from the RBI list to Census State Codes used by GSTN; NIC RES has been modified accordingly. Trade must declare the new Census state codes in Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills to ensure correct State of Origin and VAT/GST registration reporting and to avoid mis-declarations at ICEGATE. Difficulties may be reported to the Commissionerate.

Non-disposal undertakings must be recorded in the depository system, creating a freeze that prevents dealings until joint cancellation.
Depositories must provide a dedicated module to record Non Disposal Undertakings (NDUs), requiring both parties to be demat account holders and KYC compliant; participants will apply to record NDUs with BO ID, PAN, signatures, counterparty details and quantity. The participant verifies securities availability, creates a freeze for debit of specified securities, and the depository captures authorized signatory details and notifies both parties. No transfer, pledge, lending, rematerialisation or dealing is permitted while the freeze exists; cancellation requires joint instructions and unfreeze after the prescribed cooling period. Freeze/unfreeze actions are subject to concurrent audit and NDUs outside the depository are prohibited.

Centralised Container Movement Facilitation processes Kamarajar port movements via Chennai Port; agents must use CMFC and EDI procedures.
Centralised processing and merger of the CMFC at Kamarajar Port into the CMFC at Chennai Port is effective immediately, with operations at Dr. Ambedkar Building, Chennai Port. All container movement requests from Kamarajar Port to CFSs will be processed at CMFC Chennai. Steamer agents and CFS operators must approach the Superintendent CMFC at Chennai Port for CNIFC work related to Kamarajar Port, while CF operators, customs brokers and consol agents must obtain job numbers and amendments via the EDI Service Centre at Custom House, Chennai.

Shore tank receipt governs customs duty basis for liquid bulk imports; mandatory outturn reporting, bonding and bond-module compliance required.
Shore tank receipt, ascertained by dip measurement in shore tanks receiving pumped liquid from the tanker, shall be the basis for levy of Customs duty on imported liquid bulk cargo for warehousing. Bill of Lading quantities may be accepted for direct port delivery, but warehousing into Customs bonded tanks requires warehousing permission, bonding formalities, prescribed examination and preparation of signed outturn reports. Differences between manifested and shore outturn quantities are treated as short-landed with prescribed responsibilities; excess receipt requires filing a Bill of Entry for the excess and shortages above a one percent threshold prompt departmental investigation. Licensees must update the Bond Module daily.

Options on commodity futures: permitted with eligibility, SEBI approval, devolvement settlement and CPMI IOSCO aligned risk controls.
Permitted introduction of options on commodity futures is subject to eligibility of the underlying futures, SEBI approval, and specified product and risk frameworks: options shall devolve into futures at the strike on exercise, use European style initially, include minimum strike series, follow defined exercise and assignment rules, maintain separate and higher position limits for options with temporary post expiry adjustment, and adopt CPMI IOSCO compliant risk management including portfolio level margins, 99% VaR coverage, two day MPOR, real time margining, and prudential margin add ons for options.

State code alignment to census codes required for GST rollout; declare new codes in Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills.
ICES state codes are being realigned from the RBI list to the Census Codes used for GST; the NIC RES package has been updated and the change is to be implemented from 14.06.2017. Trade participants must declare the new state codes in Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills (for State of Origin and VAT/GST registration) to avoid declaration issues at ICEGATE. An annexure lists the mapping of old to new state codes and the trade is invited to report any difficulties to the Commissioner of Customs.

Documents management system escalation: coupon price increased under contractual annual escalation clause to factor in inflation.
The Documents Management System at Air Cargo Complex, Mumbai operates under a contract between the Commissioner of Customs (Gen) and M/S Newgen Software Technology Limited, following trade consultation. The contract contains a Provision for Cost Escalation requiring annual rate increases to factor inflation, and the coupon price for DMS access is raised to Rs. 18 per docket effective 22.06.2017; all other prior conditions remain unchanged.

Rotation Number Generation enables online self-generation by registered shipping lines and agents via secure ICEGATE authentication.
An online ICEGATE facility allows registered Shipping Lines and Agents, authenticated by digital signature and one-time password, to self-generate the Rotation Number by submitting specified vessel particulars (customs location code, IMO, voyage number, master's name, shipping line and agent codes, next port of call, expected arrival). The system issues the Rotation Number on submission and supports secure status checks by users and a public 'Rotation Number Inquiry' for casual visitors.

State code alignment for GST implementation requires import/export declarations to use new census-based state codes to avoid ICES complications.
State identifiers in ICES previously drawn from the RBI list are being replaced with Census-based state codes to align import/export declarations (including State of Origin in Shipping Bills and state code for VAT/GST registration) with GST requirements; NIC RES has been updated and traders must use the revised codes from the implementation date to avoid ICEGATE processing complications, with operational issues reportable to the System Manager email provided.