Paperless Processing under e SANCHIT: beneficiary uploads disabled; PGAs must promptly upload recent LPCOs for use.
e-SANCHIT requires PGAs to upload digitally signed LPCOs on the customs platform for paperless processing; beneficiary uploading of previously issued LPCOs is barred from 31/01/2020, while PGAs must upload LPCOs issued in the 15 days before the cut off and may upload earlier unutilized LPCOs to enable beneficiary use. Communication will proceed via ICEGATE registered email addresses and beneficiaries must ensure correct registration.

Automated clearance allows electronic Bill of Entry clearance after CCV and confirmation of duty payment.
Automated clearance under the first proviso to Section 47(1) enables electronic clearance of Bills of Entry by the Customs Automated System after risk-based Customs Compliance Verification (CCV) by designated officers and confirmation of duty payment; the facility applies only where RMS is enabled in ICES and will be initially piloted at two EDI locations, with DG Systems effecting required ICES changes and operational issues to be reported to designated Appraising Main (Import) NS-I officers.

Terminal handling charge transparency enables AEO-status exporters to pay port terminals directly rather than through shipping lines.
Exporters holding AEO status may pay Terminal Handling Charges directly to terminal operators instead of through shipping lines. Eligible exporters with existing P.D. Accounts may use those accounts for direct payment, while those without such accounts may open them with the relevant ports or terminals. Ports and terminals are requested to issue Terminal Handling Charge invoices directly to eligible and willing exporters.

Transfer of membership regulated by prescribed RVO and Board procedures, with timelines, fees and mandatory email communications.
Transfer of membership between RVOs and transfer by Registered Valuers are governed by a structured procedure: applicants must submit prescribed documents and a capped transfer fee; RVO-1 must issue a no-objection or notify deficiencies within a fixed period, failing which no-objection is deemed; rectified applications trigger the same response timeline or deemed no-objection; RVO-2 processes enrolment per the Rules and notifies RVO-1 and the Board, after which membership in RVO-1 ceases.

Margin Floor Requirements for commodity derivatives tied to volatility categorisation and phased implementation mandated.
SEBI revises the commodity derivatives margin framework by mandating realised volatility based categorisation of commodities into Low, Medium, and High buckets using three years of daily log returns, with the Lead Exchange's Clearing Corporation to determine categories. Based on category and agri/non agri status, the circular prescribes minimum Initial Margin floors and minimum MPOR values, specifies rollover and review procedures (semi annual reviews, downgrade requiring two consecutive reviews), requires disclosure of margin breakups and volatility, and mandates phased implementation within three months with notification within 15 days.

Reverse Charge Mechanism on renting of motor vehicles: recipient liable when supplier does not charge GST at full rate.
RCM on renting of motor vehicles where fuel is included applies only if the supplier is other than a body corporate, does not issue an invoice charging GST at the higher rate that allows full input tax credit, and supplies the service to a body corporate; when a service is under RCM the supplier shall not charge tax and the recipient is liable only if the supplier does not charge GST at that higher rate.

Automated clearance enabled: ICES to permit electronic release after CCV confirmation and duty payment verification.
Automated electronic clearance under the first proviso to Section 47(1) operates by permitting ICES to clear Bills of Entry after completion and confirmation of Customs Compliance Verification (CCV) by the designated proper officer and confirmation of duty payment; CCV obligations remain mandatory and operate even while payment is pending, and the facility is limited to RMS enabled ICES locations during initial pilot rollout.

Non-filing of GST returns and SOP compliance for action against return non-filers
Standard Operating Procedure is to be followed in cases of non-filing of GST returns. The Commissioner, Commercial Tax, Uttar Pradesh forwards the CBIC GST Policy Wing circular on action against return non-filers and directs that subordinate officers be informed and instructed to act accordingly.

Online module for 72 hrs prior intimation and OTDI submissions mandatory from 11 Feb 2020.
An online module requires DPD importers to submit 72 hours prior intimation for CFS change and to declare or change One Time Default Intimation via the DPD JNCH website, with OTP authentication; only importers with OTDI may submit prior intimation, submissions update in real time and remain for 96 hours from expected vessel arrival, shipping lines must verify module data or OTDI before moving containers and reflect CFS changes in the final IGM.

Sea cargo manifest transhipment regulations: stakeholders must register on ICEGATE and commence testing before implementation.
Implementation of Sea Cargo Manifest Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR) requires stakeholders to register on ICEGATE and participate in a phased testing regime in which new SCMTR message formats will be submitted (in parallel with existing formats) prior to the regulations taking effect. A matrix specifies entity categories and the exact messages/manifests to be filed, with some registrations auto approved and others subject to officer approval and prerequisites such as a National Surety Bond or prior onboarding to specified data-transfer facilities. Separate applications are required for distinct roles; responses to officer queries occur via ICEGATE and paper documents may be produced if needed.

Merchanting trade compliance: revised rules require single bank routing, documentary verification, and strict KYC/AML oversight.
Revised MTT guidelines require that goods must not enter the Domestic Tariff Area, permit limited transformation with documentary proof, require compliance with export/import rules for each leg, and mandate that the entire MTT be routed through a single AD bank which must verify documents, ensure KYC/AML compliance, and maintain retrievable records for inspection.

Voluntary Retention Route expansion permits reclassification of general FPI debt investments and allows debt-only ETFs under VRR.
The VRR for FPIs is relaxed by increasing the investment cap, permitting FPIs to transfer investments from the General Investment Limit into VRR at their discretion, and allowing FPIs to invest in Exchange Traded Funds that invest only in debt instruments; the changes update prior Directions and are issued under the Foreign Exchange Management Act without prejudice to other required approvals.

Short-term investment limits for FPIs increased allowing greater allocations in government and corporate debt and expanded exemptions.
Revision increases the short-term investment limit for FPIs in Central Government Securities (including Treasury Bills), State Development Loans and corporate bonds to permit a larger share of an FPI's total investment in those instruments. Exemptions from the short-term and issue limits that applied to Security Receipts are extended to debt issued by Asset Reconstruction Companies and debt of entities under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process pursuant to an approved resolution plan.

Refund verification for exporters requires prescribed data submission, timebound verification and escalation procedures to resolve delayed refunds.
Refund claims flagged by risk analytics are held in abeyance and export consignments subjected to enhanced customs checks; exporters must submit the Annexure A proforma and supporting documents for verification. Jurisdictional CGST must complete verification within 14 working days, with nodal cell notification and escalation to the Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner if not met, and a further seven day completion obligation. Pending refunds beyond one month may be referred via the Board portal for review by a Committee headed by Member GST, CBIC.

Exporter verification protocol: enhanced documentation and risk-based checks require submission of prescribed data and enable refund abeyance.
Export refunds may be held in abeyance and export consignments subjected to 100% customs examination where data-analytics identify risk of monetisation of fraudulent or ineligible Input Tax Credit. Exporters whose refund scrolls are abeyance-listed must submit prescribed information in Annexure A to jurisdictional authorities for verification. Jurisdictional verification must be completed within the prescribed working-day timeline, with escalation mechanisms to a cell in the Additional Commissioner's office and to the Commissioner by email; unresolved refunds beyond a month may be referred to a Committee headed by the Additional Commissioner.

Dematerialized Rights Entitlements enable tradable rights with T+2 settlement and mandatory ASBA subscription.
SEBI streamlined rights issue procedures by introducing dematerialized Rights Entitlements (REs) with a separate ISIN credited to eligible shareholders before issue opening, enabling trading of REs on stock exchanges on a T+2 rolling settlement basis, mandating ASBA for applications, requiring physical shareholders to furnish demat details for credit of REs, and prescribing reconciled allotment, credit to demat accounts and bank unblocking procedures; unrenounced REs lapse and are extinguished post allotment.

Suspension and freezing of promoter shareholding - trade-for-trade trading and fines apply for listing regulation breaches.
Non-compliance with specified Listing Regulations triggers a framework where recognized stock exchanges impose prescribed fines, publish actions, and coordinate with depositories to freeze or unfreeze promoters' entire shareholding and other demat securities; repeated or continuing defaults may lead to movement to "Z" category, suspension of trading, limited trade-for-trade trading during suspension, and initiation of compulsory delisting if non-compliance persists.

Social Welfare Surcharge must be paid in cash on imports even when customs duties are debited through duty credit scrips.
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) is an additional customs duty calculated on the aggregate of duties, taxes and cesses and is not covered by the duty credit scrip mechanism; debit of Basic or Additional Customs Duty in duty credit scrips does not constitute exemption of SWS. Judicial principle requires specific notification to exempt additional duties, the legal view supports levy of SWS, and while past debits of SWS to scrips will be accepted, SWS must be paid in cash on imports going forward.

Paperless LPCO processing: PGAs must upload digitally signed authorizations on e SANCHIT; beneficiary uploads will be disabled.
Mandatory electronic uploading of digitally signed LPCOs by PGAs on e-SANCHIT via SWIFT is required; four additional PGAs are enabled and beneficiary uploading of previously issued LPCOs will be disabled after the cut-off. PGAs must upload LPCOs issued in the immediate pre-cut-off period and may upload earlier documents to enable beneficiary use. Communication will occur through ICEGATE-registered email addresses using a simplified auto-registration process without digital signatures for e-SANCHIT viewing; beneficiaries must ensure correct ICEGATE email registration.

Registration on ICEGATE required for stakeholders to comply with new sea cargo manifest regulations; testing and format compliance mandated.
Registration on ICEGATE is mandatory for stakeholders to operate under the Sea Cargo Manifest Regulations (SCMTR); applicants must apply from within their ICEGATE login and, if performing multiple roles, apply separately for each entity type. A testing phase requires submission of new-format manifests in parallel with existing formats; a table specifies entity categories, required messages, and specific prerequisites such as National Surety Bond registration and ICEGATE MFTP onboarding. Some registrations are auto-approved while others require officer approval; queries are answered online though additional documents must be provided manually. A checklist and dashboard are provided and a contact is listed for difficulties.