Faceless assessment expansion enables remote electronic verification and reassessment of import declarations, centralising assessment and port coordination.
The notice expands the roll-out of Faceless Assessment to additional customs zones, designates Faceless Assessment Groups and Port Assessment Groups, prescribes new ICES roles (VAO, VDC, VDN), mandates exclusive electronic exchange via ICEGATE and e Sanchit for assessment-related communications, and allocates responsibilities for examination, provisional assessment, bond registration at the Turant Suvidha Kendra, reassessment procedures including speaking orders, appeal and review routes, and exceptional transfer or recall of bills between FAG and PAG.

Dispatch of notice under section 62(2) not treated as violation where SEBI-compliant alternatives used for rights issues until year-end.
The earlier relaxation in General Circular No. 21/2020, para 2, is extended: for listed companies conducting rights issues opening up to 31st December, 2020, inability to dispatch the notice under section 62(2) by registered post, speed post, or courier will not be treated as a violation where the company complies with relevant SEBI circulars; other requirements of the General Circular remain unchanged.

Faceless assessment for Chapter 29 centralizes expert classification, valuation, RMS compliance, and mandated reporting.
Phase 2 faceless assessment for Chapter 29 places a Nodal Commissionerate-led Faceless Assessment Group (FAG) responsible for uniform classification, valuation, exemption scrutiny, immediate processing of bills of entry, strict compliance with RMS instructions, maintaining a shared knowledge repository (including product descriptions, valuation circulars, NIDB checks, anti-dumping notices and precedents), focused electronic queries, avoidance of routine first-checks, issuance of speaking orders within statutory timeframes, administrative review and appeals handling, and detailed fortnightly reporting via the Annexure A register.

Preferential Certificate of Origin submissions now required via electronic platform, replacing manual applications and issuing electronic and printed certificates.
Issuance of Preferential Certificates of Origin for exports to Thailand must be processed through the e COO Platform; exporters must submit CoO applications via the platform to designated issuing agencies (EIA, MPEDA and Textile Committee) and manual applications after the transition date are not required. The e COO will generate an electronic copy with the officer's image signature and agency stamp alongside the set of four printed copies, and exporters may obtain ink signed and stamped printed quadruplicate certificates by post or in person for submission to Thai authorities.

Faceless assessment expands virtual appraisal roles and system monitoring to centralize customs assessment processes.
Implementation of Phase II of the Faceless Assessment creates VAO, VDC and VDN roles in ICES for faceless appraisal, prescribes nomination and allocation of officers to specified groups and sites, and requires that VAO/VDC undertake assessment-related tasks (queries, online replies, amendments, e Sanchit submissions) while non-assessment functions remain with the Port of Import. VDN may reallocate BEs and, in exceptional approved cases, push BEs to Port of Import; First Check returns BEs to FAG, whereas post-Second Check recall or reassessment is handled at Port of Import. Monitoring dashboards and pendency reports are provided for oversight.

Upfront margin requirement: collecting minimum upfront margin avoids penalty, while clearing corporation still enforces risk based margin.
SEBI permits Trading Members and Clearing Members to avoid penalty for short collection of margin if they collect a minimum upfront margin in lieu of VaR and ELM, while the Clearing Corporation will continue to collect risk based margins from members; the penalty provision for short collection in the cash segment is deferred to a specified future implementation date and the earlier circular is modified only to the extent indicated.

Digital signature certification allowed for authentication of stock exchange filings to facilitate remote compliance during pandemic.
Use of digital signature certifications is authorized for authentication and certification of filings and submissions made to stock exchanges under the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements. The circular directs stock exchanges to notify listed entities and disseminate the guidance on their websites, creating a temporary administrative accommodation permitting digital signatures as an alternative to physical certification during the extension period.

Participation by physical shareholders in open offers, buybacks and delisting permitted subject to applicable tendering procedures.
Shareholders holding securities in physical form are permitted to tender those shares in open offers, buybacks through the tender offer route, and exit offers in voluntary or compulsory delisting, provided that such tendering is carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions governing each of those processes; the Circular is effective immediately and stock exchanges must disseminate the clarification to listed entities, registrars, transfer agents and depositories.

Faceless customs assessment expands electronic bill-of-entry verification while ports retain examination, enforcement, provisional assessment, and post-clearance responsibilities.
Faceless Assessment electronically assigns selected bills of entry to designated assessing officers for verification through ICEGATE and e-Sanchit. Officers may accept self-assessment, seek information, reassess, or order examination and testing. Port Assessment Groups retain non-assigned and referred cases, examination, inspection, enforcement-related action, provisional-assessment finalisation, demand proceedings, and specified post-assessment functions. Turant Suvidha Kendras accept bonds and bank guarantees and undertake supporting verification and document functions. Reassessment differing from self-assessment requires a speaking order and an opportunity of hearing unless electronically accepted.

Faceless customs assessment expands to designated imports with system allocation, electronic procedures, and cross-station appeal jurisdiction.
Faceless assessment is extended to imports primarily classified under Chapter 29 in Appraisement Group 2A across Mumbai Customs Zones I, II and III. Bills of Entry are allocated by the Customs Automated System to Faceless Assessment Groups. Implementation covers assessment verification, speaking orders and review, demands and adjudication, provisional assessment, amendment of Bills of Entry, and electronic communication and record authentication. Appeals may be heard within the import jurisdiction despite the assessing officer being located at another Customs station.

Customs Inland Manifest requirement to be filed before export cargo departs, enabling eSeal tracking and risk-based facilitation.
Exporters using eSeal must file a Customs Inland Manifest (CIM) for each rail/truck movement before cargo leaves their premises, quoting Shipping Bill numbers; a CIM may cover multiple Shipping Bills but must be filed per conveyance. Exporters must obtain ICEGATE registration, follow the uploaded technical guidance and message format, and may use the Excel utility to generate JSON for submission. CIM and eSeal readings will be shared with RMS for real time tracking; port officers can verify CIM details and record match or tamper status to support risk based facilitation where intact eSeals may avoid examination.

Faceless assessment expanded: electronic assignment, verification, and re assessment workflows enforced with port responsibility for on site functions.
Faceless assessment is expanded to additional Customs Zones and tariff chapters with bills of entry assigned by the Customs Automated System to designated Faceless Assessment Groups for verification by risk based selection; such groups may accept self assessment, seek documents, order examination or testing, re assess with a speaking order, or transfer cases to the Port Assessment Group for on site functions. Ports of import remain responsible for physical examination, bond registration via Turant Suvidha Kendra, statutory permissions and processing of demands, with all communications and amendments mandated through ICEGATE and e Sanchit.

SEZ approvals and extensions affirmed, with name/share changes and area authorisations subject to compliance and disclosure obligations.
The Board granted extensions of formal approvals and Letters of Approval, approved developer and co-developer name and shareholding changes subject to conditions ensuring continuity, eligibility, tax and regulatory compliance and furnishing of financial and PAN details to revenue authorities; approved co-developer recognitions, authorized operations and area increases conditioned on execution of agreements; permitted procurement of restricted items only for in-SEZ use; held one appeal inadmissible as time-barred; granted in-principle approval for a new IT/ITES SEZ and deferred a jetty-use request.

Export quota for surgical masks: online applications within a limited window; licences issued under eligibility and documentary checks.
A temporary export control restricts exports of 2/3 ply surgical masks to a set monthly quota and requires online applications via the DGFT ECOM system within a specified filing window. Licences are examined under the Handbook of Procedures, valid for three months, and issued subject to eligibility requirements: preference for manufacturers, one application per IEC, and submission of self attested documentary proof (purchase order/invoice, IEC) and, where applicable, a bank certificate evidencing advance payment received before the prohibition date; incomplete or untimely applications will not be considered.

Export quota on medical goggles restricts monthly shipments; approvals require online application within the designated window and eligibility.
The notice imposes an export quota on medical goggles and requires exporters to apply online through the DGFT ECOM system within a specified application window; hard copies or emails will not be considered. Applications are examined under the Handbook of Procedures, licenses have limited validity, only a single application per IEC will be considered, and manufacturers are preferred upon documentary proof. Required documents include a purchase order or invoice and a self attested copy of the IEC; incomplete or untimely applications will be rejected.

Export quota controls for diagnostic kits require manufacturers to apply online with specified documentation and eligibility attestations.
Procedure prescribes a restricted export regime for specified diagnostic kits with fixed monthly quotas and permits only manufacturers to apply online through the DGFT ECOM portal within the stipulated filing window. Applications will be examined under the Handbook of Procedures; licences are valid for three months. Eligibility requires documentary proof of manufacturing, one application per IEC per month, and submission of IEC copy, purchase order/invoice, a self attested undertaking confirming domestic commitments fulfilled, and self attested documents. Incomplete or untimely submissions will not be considered.

Crowdsourced customs reform invites stakeholders to submit online proposals on duty exemptions, laws, and procedures by the deadline.
Crowdsourcing of stakeholder suggestions is instituted for reviewing existing Customs duty exemption notifications and for examining Customs laws and procedures in light of changing business needs and ease of doing business. Importers, exporters, domestic industry, trade associations, Customs staff, and the public may submit suggestions through the MyGov Innovate online portal by 21 August 2020. Portal-related difficulties may be raised with the designated Appraising Main (Import) office.

Controlling person rules clarified: trusts' settlors, trustees and beneficiaries are treated as controlling persons; AML reliance limited.
RFIs may rely on information under the Prevention of Money laundering Act only to the extent those rules conform to the 2012 FATF recommendations. For trusts, the definition of controlling person follows Explanation 2 to Explanation (B) to Rule 114F(6), requiring RFIs to treat settlors, trustees, beneficiaries (regardless of interest size) and any natural person exercising ultimate effective control as controlling persons for due diligence. For new entity accounts of passive non financial entities, RFIs may rely on self certification from the account holder or controlling person to determine reportability, per the CRS commentary.

Faceless Assessment expansion centralises customs appraisal across additional zones and assigns local appellate jurisdiction for import appeals.
2nd phase roll-out of Faceless Assessment expands operational coverage to additional Customs Zones and specified Appraisement Groups, subsuming the first phase. The Board nominates specific senior Commissioners as Nodal Commissioners to monitor faceless-assigned Bills of Entry and ensure speedy, uniform electronic assessments. Notification No.63/2020-Customs (N.T.) empowers jurisdictional Commissioners of Customs (Appeals) at the place of import to decide appeals arising from faceless assessments even where the assessing officer is located elsewhere, and trade is to be guided by public notices with implementation issues reported to the Board.

Amendment under section 149: cancellation of OOC requires DC/AC approval before AO/EDI acts; bank account registration requires bank verification.
Cancellation of Out of Charge status to permit amendments under the Customs Act is to be undertaken by AO/EDI only after prior approval of the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of the concerned group and the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner (EDI), identifying the DC/AC as the proper officer; AO/EDI will cancel the OOC in ICES after such approvals. Bank account registration with AD code and IFSC requires IEC submission via E Sanchit; EA/TA EDI verifies bank authorisation/NOC and obtains bank confirmation if needed, then places the verified request before AO/EDI, who approves registration/modification after satisfying compliance with public notices.