Manual EODC filing option under Advance Authorisation Scheme; exporters must update online closure status to avoid action.
Option permitted for manual/physical filing of EODC/closure applications under the Advance Authorisation Scheme for AAs issued before 1.12.2020; RAs must upload approved physical closure letters into the online system and update authorisation status. Exporters can view past AA status online and upload scanned closure/redemption letters where status is incorrect; they must submit such requests by 31.03.2022. RAs are to verify submissions against office records and may process updates or act suo-motu; absence of updated online status may prompt actions for non-fulfilment of export obligation.

Correction of MEIS serial number: HS code 85414012 entry revised so serial now reads 8147 under FT Policy.
Under the Foreign Trade Policy, the Directorate corrected the MEIS serial number for HS Code 85414012 in Public Notice No. 43/2015-2020 so that the previously listed MEIS serial number 8145 shall be read as 8147, effecting a clerical amendment to the MEIS column of the original notice.

MEIS schedule amendment adds HS code for solar cells and corrects description to harmonize export incentives.
The DGFT amended Appendix 3B, Table 2 of the MEIS to add HS code 85414012 for solar cells assembled in modules and to correct the description of HS code 85414011 to "Solar Cells, not assembled", harmonising the MEIS schedule with the amended ITC (HS) nomenclature and related notifications and fiscal changes.

Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) expanded as two additional agencies authorised to issue export origin certificates.
Authorisation adds two named trade bodies to the official list of agencies empowered to issue Certificate of Origin (Non Preferential), directing their inclusion in the policy appendices and providing operational contact details to formalise their authority for export documentation and compliance.

Import authorisation for watermelon seed imports limited to processors under actual user authorisations; applications due by announced deadline.
Import of Water Melon Seeds - Other (ITC(HS) 12077090) is capped for 01.01.2022-31.03.2022 and fresh online applications for import authorisation are invited until 13.12.2021. Eligibility is restricted to processors on an Actual User basis with IECs issued before the Public Notice, one application per IEC, a processing capacity certificate dated prior to the Public Notice, and a valid FSSAI license. Allocations will be made by the Exim Facilitation Committee considering processing capacity and prior imports; DGFT may amend allocations. Consignments must reach Indian ports by 31.03.2022.

Standard Input Output Norms: two SIONs notify input-output ratios for sodium salicylate and methyl cobalamin exports.
Notification fixes two new Standard Input Output Norms in the Chemical & Allied Product group, prescribing that export of Sodium Salicylate requires Salicylic Acid as the input material and that export of Methyl Cobalamin JP (Mecobalamin) requires Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) as the input material, thereby adding these two SION entries to the controlling schedule under Foreign Trade Policy authority.

Electronic filing of RCMC/RC enables contactless submission and instant verification through a common digital platform for exporters.
A common digital platform on the DGFT portal enables electronic submission, amendment and renewal of Registration Cum Membership Certificates (RCMC) and Registration Certificates (RC) using existing exporter login credentials and Digital Signature Certificate/Aadhaar authentication; certificates issued via the portal are instantly reflected in the exporter profile and verifiable by login.

Digital signature security prevents unauthorized access to trade scrips; report compromised certificates and follow secure password and network practices.
Protection of digital identities depends on secure custody and use of Digital Signature Certificates or Aadhaar e signatures; adopt strong passwords, do not share sensitive credentials, avoid public Wi Fi for official logins, beware phishing and suspicious attachments or domains, and ensure duty credit scrips and related instruments are reflected in online modules. On suspected unauthorized DSC issuance contact the licensed Certifying Authority and report to the Controller of Certifying Authorities, and industry bodies should sensitize members to prevent online theft of duty credit instruments.

Tariff rate quota allocation increased for raw sugar exports to USA, subject to existing TRQ conditions and reporting requirements.
An additional 303 MT of raw sugar has been allocated for export to the USA under the Tariff Rate Quota for fiscal year 2021, raising the total TRQ allocation to 8,727 MT. Exports under this TRQ are free but governed by the Nature of Restrictions in Notification No. 3/2015-20 and the reporting requirements of Public Notice No. 33/2015-20. Certificates of Origin, if required, will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, and other applicable certification requirements continue to apply.

Tariff Rate Quota extension: deadline for India-Mauritius CECPA TRQ applications extended to end January, other modalities unchanged.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended condition (ii)(f) of Annexure III to Appendix 2A of Public Notice No. 31/2015 20, extending the last date for online submission of applications for allocation of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under the India-Mauritius CECPA for the financial year 2021 22; all other modalities, including eligibility and allocation procedures for import authorization under the prior notices, remain unchanged.

De-activation of IECs not updated leads to automatic re-activation once holders update their IECs online.
IECs not electronically updated as required will be de-activated in a phased exercise, with IECs not updated after 1 January 2014 scheduled for de-activation from 6 December 2021; IECs with pending online updation applications will be excluded, and any de-activated IEC may be automatically re-activated by the holder completing the prescribed online update, after which status will be transmitted to customs systems.

Mandatory e-filing for Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin extended; agencies must onboard or face de-notification consequence.
The DGFT extends the transition period for mandatory e-filing of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin on the e-CoO Common Digital Platform until 31st January 2022, allowing continued manual/paper submissions until that date. Agencies listed in Appendix-2E must complete onboarding by the deadline or face de-notification. Exporters are required to register on the platform and may seek assistance from the CoO Helpdesk via the Help Manual, service ticket, email, or toll-free numbers.

Radioactive contamination checks require preset alarm-based monitoring, isotope identification, and mandatory notification and repatriation measures.
Random radiation screening of imported metal scrap requires verification of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency certificate and importer-exporter assurance, measurement of background and container surface radiation with handheld monitors set to a preset alarm above background, and comparison with PSIA certificates or self-declarations. Exceedance of the alarm mandates isotope identification: NORM findings permit release; identification of other radionuclides requires immediate notification to nuclear emergency authorities, relocation to a cordoned area with monitoring and reporting, and initiation of repatriation or deportation, with costs borne by the importer or designated responsible person.

Territorial jurisdiction change: Navsari and Tapi districts reassigned from Ahmedabad Regional Authority to Surat Regional Authority.
Appendix 1A is revised to transfer Navsari and Tapi districts from the territorial jurisdiction of the Ahmedabad Regional Authority to that of the Surat Regional Authority, with the transfer taking effect immediately and otherwise leaving Gujarat State jurisdictions unchanged.

Authorization to issue Certificate of Origin expanded; two agencies enlisted and one agency's name and contacts amended.
Authorisation to issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) is expanded by adding two named export agencies to the official list of authorised issuers, enabling them to issue such certificates in their jurisdictions. Additionally, an existing agency entry is amended to correct the agency's name and update its telephone, email and website contact details.

Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency recognition adds a new authorized PSIA to issue PSICs subject to equipment and compliance.
M/s Hamilton Steel Logistics Inc is notified as a Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency authorized to issue Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates under the Foreign Trade Policy provision, subject to the annexed list of approved and calibrated spectrometers and radiation survey meters. The Directorate may curtail the agency's validity; the agency must update membership certificates with industry bodies and its contact details within the prescribed period, and PSIC issuance is contingent on the listed equipment and calibration documentation.

RODTEP: Committee to set ceiling rates for AA/EoU/SEZ exports and request certified product-wise tax incidence data.
A Government-appointed Committee will determine ceiling RODTEP rates for AA/EoU/SEZ exports and produce a supplementary report limited to correcting apparent errors or anomalies. The Committee must engage stakeholders, compute central/state/local duty and tax incidence (including prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes and distribution-related embedded taxes), decide methodology, hold consultations and field visits, and furnish calculations and worksheets. Export councils and industry associations are required to submit certified, product-wise data for 01.10.2019-31.03.2020 in prescribed proformas, with documentary support, within prescribed short timelines.

Deadline for online claims under scrip-based schemes: applications must be filed by the specified last date or be time-barred.
DGFT sets 31st December 2021 as the final deadline for online submission of applications under MEIS, SEIS, RoSL and RoSCTL; after that date the Online IT system will be non operational, no late cut filings will be permitted, and unsubmitted applications will be time barred. Exporters and trade bodies are urged to file claims online within the stipulated timeline to enable timely issuance of duty credit scrips by DGFT regional authorities.

Amendment to Appendix 2T: Address update and denotification of exhibition cell take immediate effect under Foreign Trade Policy
Amendment to Appendix 2T of the Foreign Trade Policy updates the address and contact details for the listed leather export council entry and denotifies the exhibition cell of the gem and jewellery export promotion council, with both changes stated to take immediate effect.

Export authorization for SCOMET items: supplies to SEZ/EOU require reporting; authorization needed for physical export abroad.
Supplies of SCOMET items from DTA to SEZ/EOU do not require export authorization but must be reported by the supplier to the Development Commissioner in the prescribed proforma within one week; the Development Commissioner must submit an annual report of such supplies to the SCOMET Section, DGFT, and export authorization is required if SCOMET items are physically exported from SEZ/EOU to another country.