Extension of installation deadline for Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners allows additional time for seaport compliance.
Amendment of Para 2.54(d)(v)(ii) of the Handbook of Procedures, 2015-2020 extends the deadline for installation and operationalisation of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners at designated seaports, exercising powers under the Foreign Trade Policy to modify the compliance timeline applicable to those ports.

Recognition of Pre Shipment Inspection Agencies: agencies re notified with multi year validity, equipment approval and reporting obligations.
Re notification of Appendix 2G recognises listed entities as Pre Shipment Inspection Agencies authorised to issue Pre Shipment Inspection Certificates using specified, DGFT approved spectrometers, survey meters and explosive detection kits. Agencies may inspect in countries without a full time branch by deputation subject to prior intimation and reporting to DGFT; they must maintain up to date membership certificates, office contact details, and ensure approved instruments carry valid calibration and supporting purchase documentation as recorded in the annexure. One agency's additional areas are time limited.

Modification of PAN-based IEC: new PAN may obtain IEC and prior IECs can be operationally linked and surrendered.
Where a change in constitution results in a different PAN, an IEC may be obtained against the new PAN and previous IEC(s) can be operationally linked to the new PAN/IEC. An online application to the jurisdictional Regional Authority with supporting documents and affidavits must be submitted; the RA may sanction the linkage after scrutiny, and upon approval previous IEC(s) shall be treated as surrendered.

Tariff Rate Quota allocation for sugar enables preferential exports to USA under specified certification and reporting conditions.
Allocation of 8424 MTRV of raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar, and sugar-containing products is notified for export to the USA under the Tariff Rate Quota for US fiscal year 2021. Exports (HS Code 17010000) are 'Free' under TRQ subject to existing conditions. Where required, the Certificate of Origin will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, and prescribed reporting requirements continue to apply.

Tariff rate quota imports: Handbook provision updated to adopt the latest Customs notification governing TRQ imports.
The Handbook provision for imports under the Tariff Rate Quota Scheme (Para 2.60) is replaced. The revised paragraph provides that imports under the Tariff Rate Quota Scheme are governed as per Customs Notification No.28/2020-Customs dated 23.06.2020 of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, as amended from time to time, thereby updating the Handbook to adopt the latest Customs Notification governing TRQ imports.

Disclosure to investigating agencies may be authorised by regional heads with specified receipt, ID and record-keeping safeguards.
Regional Authorities may, on receipt of written requests from investigating agencies, decide to hand over requested records without prior headquarters approval, subject to case facts. Records must be provided against a written request, under proper receipt recording the receiver's name and designation; a copy of the receiver's official ID must be retained and the RA should keep copies of records handed over. If the Head of Office objects to disclosure, a reasoned reference must be sent to the ECA Division at Headquarters.

Designated port list updated: Hazira added for import of unshredded metallic scrap; no exceptions permitted.
Hazira Port is added to the list of designated ports in Para 2.54(d)(iv) of the Handbook of Procedure, 2015-2020, making import of unshredded metallic scrap and waste permissible only through the enumerated designated ports, with no exceptions allowed, including for EOUs and SEZs.

Revision of SION input-output norms for ossein: import unit corrected to metric tonnes, affecting export compliance.
Revision of SION A1827 amends the Handbook of Procedure entry for Ossein to specify Crushed Bones as the required import input and changes the unit of measurement for the imported item from kilograms to metric tonnes; the amendment is notified under the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedure.

Suspension of licence amendment services temporarily during IT migration; new licence issuance and applications remain available.
Temporary suspension of licence amendment services for Advance Authorization, EPCG and DFIA licences will occur from 12:00 PM on 20th November 2020 until 30th November 2020 due to migration to a new DGFT IT environment; amendment functions (re-validation, invalidation, value enhancement, EO extension) will be unavailable while new licence issuance and submission of new applications remain available. Exporters/importers must plan accordingly and ensure IEC registration/linking beforehand; DGFT helpdesk, helpline and email support are available.

Foreign trade policy consultation invites stakeholder suggestions via an online form to draft a new multi year policy.
Stakeholders including Export Promotion Councils, trade and industry bodies, commodity boards and regional authorities are invited to provide suggestions for drafting the new Foreign Trade Policy, the current policy having been extended to 31 March 2021. All inputs must be submitted exclusively via the designated Google Form (https://bit.Iy/3khHEI2) and not by email or paper, and must be lodged within fifteen days from the notice to enable centralized collation and processing.

Tariff rate quota for potato imports requires online ANF application; allocations discretionary and port arrival deadline enforced.
Imports of potatoes are permitted under a tariff rate quota at a specified in-quota tariff rate for the announced period; consignments must arrive by the scheme closing date. Applicants must file online using the prescribed ANF form, pay the application fee per the Appendices, submit only one application per IEC, and accept that the DGFT may revise allocations and will not accept hard-copy submissions.

Deletion of Standard Input Output Norms removes duplicate export norm entry, retaining the more precise norm with immediate effect.
Deletion of Standard Input Output Norms A 468 is enacted under Paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20, removing a duplicated export norm entry for 4,4 Diamino Diphenyl Amine 2 Sulphonic Acid because the norms at the retained entry (A 465) are more precise; SION A 468 is deleted with immediate effect to consolidate the applicable SION.

Linking of IECs requires user IDs with OTP and IEC authentication via Aadhaar e-sign or DSC for access to DGFT digital services.
IEC holders must create user-based login IDs with mobile and email OTP verification, then link those IDs to their specific IECs by authenticating via Aadhaar e-sign of the proprietors/directors/partners/Karta listed on the IEC or by using a Class-II/Class-III Digital Signature Certificate (individual, organization-based matching the IEC, or IEC-embedded DSC). After linking, complete IEC auto-validation using 'Modify IEC' and update profile details through 'Manage Profile'; profile updates are automatic and fee-free. Help manuals, FAQs and support channels are provided on the DGFT website.

RoDTEP data submission required so refund rates can be determined for affected export product groups under the scheme.
A trade notice requires exporters, export promotion councils and industry associations to submit formatted export data to the RoDTEP Committee so the Committee can determine refund rates under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products scheme; failure to provide required data may lead to non-notification of rates for affected product groups. The notice specifies the online data format source, email addresses for submission, and a departmental contact for clarifications.

Export licensing for nitrile gloves requires online quota applications within a limited window and specified self-attested documentation.
Export of Nitrile/NBR gloves is permitted under a fixed export quota for a limited period, with authorisations issued only via the authorised online portal during a specified application window. Applications will be examined under the handbook procedure and licences, if issued, have limited validity. Eligibility is restricted to one application per IEC and requires submission of specified self-attested documents, including purchase order/invoice and IEC copy. Incomplete or untimely submissions and applications submitted outside the online channel will not be considered for allocation.

Extension of import licence validity for tur requires consignments to arrive by the revised cut-off date, with no further extensions allowed.
Extension of validity for import licences for tur under the Foreign Trade Policy adjusts the licence expiry and the corresponding ICLC cut-off to a later date; eligible and verified applicants must ensure their import consignments reach Indian ports by that revised cut-off, and no further requests for extension of time will be entertained.

Extension of export obligation submission deadline for advance authorisations provides temporary relief for exporters affected by COVID-19.
Amendment adds para 4.44(g) to extend, as a one time temporary measure, the date for submission of documents for Export Obligation fulfilment to 31.12.2020 for all Advance Authorisations whose EO period is expiring or has expired in the COVID 19 affected window. The extension operates as relief in the monitoring of EO compliance under the Handbook of Procedures 2015-20.

Electronic filing of Preferential Certificate of Origin enabled for additional agreements, requiring DSC and online submissions from mid-October.
Preferential Certificate of Origin for exports under GSP, GSTP, India-Malaysia CECA and India-Singapore CECA will be applied for and issued through the centralized e COO platform from 15 October 2020; GSTP, IMCECA and ISCECA CoO applications must be submitted via e COO and manual applications filed before that date may be processed. GSP applicants may use e CoO from 15 October 2020 while a three month transition permits physical submissions until 14 January 2021. The system issues electronic CoO copies with image signature and stamp; a DSC (Class II/III with IEC embedded) and prior registration are required.

Export controls on diagnostic kits require manufacturer authorization via DGFT ECOM, documentation, and single application per IEC.
A conditional authorization regime allows export of specified diagnostic kits only within a prescribed quota and time window; exporters (manufacturers only) must apply via DGFT's ECOM system, submit proof of manufacture, a single application per IEC, and specified self attested documents including purchase orders, IEC and an undertaking certifying domestic commitments are met. Applications will be examined under the Handbook of Procedures and granted licences will have limited validity; late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Rebate of State Levies: scrip claims allowed only where drawback paid and RoSL unpaid; recovery and record rules apply.
Scrip claims under the RoSL scheme must be filed online in ANF 4SL linking EDI shipping bills and e BRCs; admissibility is limited to shipping bills with Drawback disbursed and RoSL unpaid and transmitted from Customs/ICEGATE to DGFT. Applications may include up to fifty shipping bills and permit split scrips and selection of an EDI port of registration. Scrips are issued paperlessly by Regional Authorities after system approval, are subject to sample RMS scrutiny, require registration at the port shown before use, carry a fixed validity, and are subject to recovery, refund with prescribed interest and penal action for misdeclaration; ANF 4SL declarations and record retention obligations are mandated.