Online payment for customs broker charges enabled on CBLMS, allowing digital settlement via integrated payment gateway.
Launch of online payment on the Customs Brokers Licensing Management System (CBLMS) permits digital payment via the integrated Bharatkosh Payment Gateway. The portal now allows online settlement specifically for new licence fees, penalty for renewal of an invalid licence, and G Category examination fees, with the payment option embedded in the corresponding CBLMS application workflows.

Faceless Assessment restructure: NACs reduced and FAGs reorganized to promote specialization and uniform examinations with anonymised escalation mechanism introduced
Faceless Assessment is restructured by consolidating eleven National Assessment Centres into eight and reconstituting Faceless Assessment Groups aligned to tariff chapters and zones based on assessable import value to promote commodity specific specialization. Each revised NAC will be convened by a single Principal Chief/Chief Commissioner responsible for coordination and duties previously assigned to co conveners. Complementary measures cited include an Anonymised Escalation Mechanism for delays and Standard Examination Orders to enhance uniformity; DG Systems will issue advisories and implementation issues are to be reported to the Board.

Deferral of appeals under identical question of law permitted; deferred grounds to be litigated after a favourable decision for Revenue.
Guidelines clarify that collegiums under Section 158AB will apply extant CBDT monetary thresholds and exceptions when deciding deferral of appeals. If Section 158AB applies to a single ground exceeding the threshold, filing may be deferred in Yo and pursued in Yf after a favourable decision in the other case. For multiple grounds, defer applicable grounds and file residual grounds in Yo; deferred grounds must be filed in Yf irrespective of monetary limits once Revenue obtains a favourable final decision. Judicial finality for Revenue in the other case requires contesting the relevant case on merits irrespective of thresholds; if the other case is adverse and not accepted, it may be contested on merits irrespective of limits.

Condonation of delay: delegation of authority for refund and loss carryforward claims revised to tiered monetary limits.
Condonation of delay for refund and carry forward/setoff of losses under Section 119(2)(b) is subject to revised monetary thresholds allocating acceptance or rejection powers among Principal Commissioners/Commissioners, Chief Commissioners, Principal Chief Commissioners, and the Board; the revised limits apply to applications filed on or after the stated commencement date, while other guidelines of the 2015 Circular remain unchanged.

RFN and REN verification facility introduced for offline taxpayer correspondence and authentication of GST communications.
Taxpayers' notices, orders and other communications generated through the GST portal ordinarily bear a system-generated DIN or RFN, and taxpayers may view such documents on their dashboard and verify authenticity through the RFN facility. For communications that are not system-generated but still need to be sent to taxpayers, the State tax authority may generate a REN through the BO web portal under the RFN generation module, and the resulting reference number is to be mentioned in the letter issued to the taxpayer. Taxpayers may verify the generated REN both before login and after login using the verification facility.

Manage CB Profile functionality enables nodal officers to correct OPS details in validated customs broker profiles.
The Manage CB Profile functionality in CBLMS authorises Nodal Officers of parent Policy Sections to edit or add incorrectly filled or wrongly validated Other Policy Section (OPS) details in validated Customs Broker profiles. Nodal Officers may add OPS office details and one contact person per office; thereafter brokers must update all employees of those OPS offices using the 'Add OPS details' application for validation. Requisitions to amend OPS details must be emailed to the Vijayawada policy Nodal Officer and include specified parent CB identifiers, full office particulars, contact person details, and required scanned proofs in prescribed formats.

Import for repair and re export procedures under ERSO require advance filings, mandatory first check and a continuity re export bond.
Pilot ERSO procedures require importers to file advance Bills of Entry with accurate descriptions and upload legible documents in e Sanchit, execute a running continuity re export bond without bank guarantee debited by the system, opt for mandatory first check examination on arrival with a Chartered Engineer certificate from empaneled CEs, and have assessment coordinated by Faceless Assessment Groups and expedited by a designated Nodal Officer and ERSO Customs team; movement to a Public Bonded Warehouse for deferred examination is permitted at importer's option.

Risk-based scrutiny of GST returns via online ACES-GST workflow; discrepancies communicated through prescribed ASMT forms for compliance.
Implements an online, risk-based workflow on ACES-GST for scrutiny of GST returns for FY 2019-20 onwards: DGARM selects GSTINs using risk parameters and publishes GSTIN-wise risk details on the scrutiny dashboard; proper officers must scrutinize returns relying on system data, issue quantifiable discrepancy communications via prescribed ASMT forms through the portal, and take further action including determination proceedings or referral to audit/investigation as provided by the SOP.

No Due Certificates for tender participation require verified tax compliance, system-generated reference numbers, and timely reasoned responses to deficiencies.
No Due Certificates for contractors and suppliers seeking government contracts require verification of return filing, tax payment, delayed-payment interest, annual returns, and liabilities under GST and legacy tax laws. Officers must also check unstayed arrears and liabilities under other registrations linked to the same PAN. The certificate must use the prescribed format and bear a system-generated Reference Number, without which it is invalid. Deficient applications require a reasoned rejection response, and supervisory officers must ensure timely processing and compliance.

Fair market value rules for unquoted shares expanded to non-resident investments, with prescribed valuation methods and safe harbour.
The amendment brings consideration from non-residents within clause (viib) of section 56(2) and revises rule 11UA to allow assessees to elect valuation methods by source of consideration: residents-clauses (a), (b), (c) or (e); non-residents-clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e). Clause (a) prescribes a balance-sheet based formula; clause (b) allows merchant banker Discounted Free Cash Flow valuations; clause (d) allows specified alternative merchant banker methods. Transitional and procedural provisions include a deemed valuation date for merchant banker reports within ninety days and a safe harbour deeming issue price as fair market value where it exceeds specified valuations by a limited margin.

Interest Equalisation Scheme cap on annual net subvention per IEC imposed, disbursements from start of fiscal counted.
The amendment introduces an annual net subvention cap per IEC under the Interest Equalisation Scheme, requiring that all disbursements made from 01.04.2023 be counted for the current financial year; the measure imposes a per IEC ceiling on scheme support and clarifies fiscal application of disbursements.

Tripartite agreement requirement mandates audited handover and data transfer protections for change of share transfer agent.
SEBI requires a Model Tripartite Agreement among the Issuer, Existing STA and New STA under Regulation 7(4) LODR, mandating publication of the format, auditor-verified handover of records and computer data, issuance of a No Objection Certificate for ISIN shifting, cataloguing of missing records via Annexure-I, capital reconciliation by the New STA, time-bound allocation of pre- and post-cut-off liabilities, preservation of handed-over soft data by the Existing STA, submission of the Agreement to stock exchanges, and compliance with applicable SEBI rules and circulars.

Export obligation default amnesty enables one-time settlement for Advance and EPCG authorisation holders under the customs framework.
Amnesty Scheme for one-time settlement of export-obligation defaults concerns Advance and EPCG authorisation holders. The customs framework addresses such defaults through a one-time settlement mechanism, with related Board guidance and DGFT material identified for stakeholders. Difficulties relating to the scheme may be brought to the Additional Commissioner of Customs, EPSMMC.

Manage CB Profile edits permit correction of wrongly validated broker OPS details by nodal officers.
Authorizes nodal officers in CBLMS to edit or add incorrectly validated Other Policy Section (OPS) office details and one contact person per OPS office in Customs Broker profiles. Brokers must submit a requisition with parent CB identifiers, full OPS office particulars, and the contact person's documentation; after nodal amendment, brokers must update all OPS employees via the 'Add OPS details' application for validation. Employees wrongly listed under parent profiles require pass cancellation before re-entry under the correct OPS office.

Extended Producer Responsibility: importers must show EPR registration or application for customs clearance of plastic-packaged imports.
Importers of goods with plastic packaging must upload either EPR registration or proof of application on the Centralized EPR portal in e Sanchit at Bill of Entry filing; customs will not detain consignments based solely on lack of registration if proof of application is shown. Officers granting Out of Charge shall verify application status in real time on the portal, maintain records for monitoring, and notify the Appraising Group where CPCB rejects applications or registration is not issued so statutory action may follow within six months of clearance.

Classification of DHA Algal Oil as microbial fats and oils directs tariff treatment based on processing and edibility.
DHA Algal oil is classifiable as microbial fats and oils; classification depends on the product's characteristics, extent of chemical modification and whether the mixture or preparation is edible or inedible. HS 2022 Explanatory Notes treat microalgae-derived oils as single cell oils and direct classification in appropriate Chapter 15 headings. Microencapsulated powder retains the oil's essential character and should be classified the same as the oil form. The product is not a food preparation for food-preparation headings and is not the pure DHA chemical.

Adjudication allocation: mid-value show cause matters to jurisdictional taxpayer services; joint commissioner may assign cases to adjudication deputies.
Adjudications under sections 73 and 74 within the prescribed mid-range shall be finalised by the jurisdictional Deputy Commissioner, Taxpayer Services; the Joint Commissioner of Taxpayer Services will determine and formally allocate additional matters to Deputy Commissioner (Adjudication) posts in specified districts considering pendency and pecuniary limits, and must intimate affected taxpayers of any reassignment.

Supporting document requirement: mandatory electronic upload of product details and end use to speed customs assessment.
Importers and Customs Brokers must mandatorily upload detailed product catalogues, technical write-ups and end use documentation for ovens and printing machinery via the e-sanchit portal; the Image Reference Number (IRN) from the upload must be declared at the item level in the Bill of Entry supporting document table, with classification dependent on end use and machine characteristics.

Centralised WCO communications: all contact must route through the Board's WCO cell; unsolicited contacts must be escalated.
A centralised communication protocol designates the Customs Policy Wing's WCO Cell as the exclusive nodal contact point for all interactions with the WCO; subordinate officers and formations must not initiate independent contact, must not respond to unexpected WCO communications, and must forward such communications to the JS Customs and WCO Cell by email. When nominated to WCO events or coordinating on Board approved WCO projects, all follow up communications must be endorsed to the Board's WCO Cell; queries are to be referred to JS Customs and officers must be sensitised to ensure compliance.

Compulsory selection for complete scrutiny requires prior administrative approval and transfer to central charges with fixed service timelines.
Guidelines mandate compulsory selection of specified categories of returns for Complete Scrutiny in FY 2023 24, including survey linked returns, search and seizure/requisition cases, non filed returns after notice, reassessment notices, withdrawal/cancellation of registrations where exemptions are claimed, recurring additions above thresholds, and cases flagged for tax evasion. Each compulsory selection requires prior administrative approval and, where applicable, transfer to Central Charges and uploading of supporting documents on IT systems for access by NaFAC; statutory timelines for selection, transfer and service of assessment or information notices are prescribed.