Digitization of customs bonded warehouse processes enables online licensing, transfers, bond validation and monthly return uploads via ICEGATE.
Digitization implements an ICEGATE Warehouse Module for online Warehouse Licensing, electronic processing of three types of Bond to Bond Movement (change of ownership, change of warehouse, or both) with validation of IEC, Transhipment and Triple Duty Bond details and officer approvals, and uploading of scanned Monthly Returns, while retaining the physical transfer Form until integration and reaffirming port-based security submission requirements.

Exhibition samples import exempt from import authorization when regulated by HBP conditions, subject to bond or ATA Carnet.
Import and re import of Exhibits and Samples for demonstration, display, exhibition or fairs are regulated under Para 2.60 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 and permitted without import authorization or registration under Import Monitoring Systems, subject to the conditions of Para 2.60, including submission of a bond/security to Customs or presentation of an ATA Carnet and other applicable compliance requirements.

Social Enterprises on Social Stock Exchange: SEBI extends deadlines for annual disclosures and impact reports to January 31, 2025.
SEBI partially modified its May 27, 2024 circular to extend the outer timelines under the LODR Regulations for Social Enterprises' annual disclosures and annual impact report for 2023-24, setting the revised deadline for both submissions at January 31, 2025.

Export proceeds monitoring: new DRISHTI software to track realization and enable recovery of ineligible export benefits.
DRISHTI, an in house Export Sale Proceeds Monitoring software, will be used by the Drawback Recovery Cell at JNCH to monitor realization of export sale proceeds and to generate consultative letters/SCNs for recovery of ineligible Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL. The module applies to shipping bills with LEO on or after 01.04.2014; exporters must submit proof (e BRCs or other documents) where records show non or part realisation. A list of IECs with pending shipping bills (LEO 01.04.2014-31.03.2023) is attached and trade may contact the Drawback Recovery Cell as instructed.

Transshipment procedure between Gangavaram and Visakhapatnam ports establishes ICES filing, TP approval, arrival endorsement and EGM-linked refunds.
Implementation of ICES modules prescribes electronic procedures for import and export transshipment between Gangavaram gateway and Visakhapatnam CFSs: gateway IGM must declare transshipment and destination CFS code; carriers file TP requests after vessel entry inward for ITP verification and issuance of TP numbers; custodians must endorse Container Arrival Reports on receipt; Bill of Entry for sea-to-sea transshipment must reference gateway IGM details. For export, shipping bills and ETP lead to an "Allowed for shipment" entry at the gateway, enabling EGM filing and automatic bond recrediting; ETP serves as EGM for Drawback while IGST refund follows gateway EGM closure.

Furnishing of Audit Reports: deadline extended to allow trusts and institutions to correct Form 10B/10BB filings and comply.
CBDT, under section 119, permits trusts, institutions and funds that filed audit reports in the incorrect form (Form 10B/10BB interchangeably) for assessment year 2023 24 to furnish the correct audit report in the applicable Form No. 10B or 10BB by 10 November 2024, extending the earlier deadline set by Circular No. 02/2024 to relieve genuine hardship and enable compliance.

Durable containers/Unit Load Devices: Public Notice number corrected to 12/2024 for import, re-export and transhipment procedures.
The corrigendum corrects the cited Public Notice number for procedures on import, re-export and transhipment of durable containers and Unit Load Devices, specifying that the correct Public Notice number is 12/2024.

Global authorization for intra-company transfer expanded to cover additional SCOMET items and related software and technology.
The Appendix 10M amendment expands the scope of Global Authorization for Intra-Company Transfer (GAICT) under Paragraph 10.15 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023 to include additional SCOMET items, software and technology. The annexed list enumerates newly covered categories and descriptions-spanning materials, sensors, processing equipment, counter-IED systems, submersible platforms, propulsion components, and related software and technology-allowing intra-company export/re-export of those items only to countries listed in Table 1 of Paragraph 10.15, effective immediately.

RCMC requirement clarified: not necessary for post-export remission schemes, enabling exporters to claim RoSCTL and RoDTEP.
Para 2.57 mandates a Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) for exporters seeking authorisations or FTP benefits tied to import/export authorisations, except restricted items. However, post export remission schemes such as Duty Drawback, RoSCTL and RoDTEP are exempt from the RCMC requirement; exporters may claim remission benefits under these schemes without obtaining an RCMC.

Regularization of IGST refund: payment of IGST and compensation cess with interest and reassessment permits refund relief.
Where inputs were initially imported under concessional customs notifications without payment of IGST and Compensation Cess, subsequent payment of IGST and Compensation Cess along with interest together with reassessment of the Bill of Entry by the jurisdictional Customs authority will mean that refund of IGST claimed on exports is not to be treated as contravening the bar in sub rule (10) of rule 96 of the WBGST Rules, in light of the retrospective Explanation clarifying that benefits are not deemed availed where IGST and Compensation Cess have been paid.

Place of supply: data hosting to overseas cloud providers is at the recipient, enabling export treatment.
Data hosting supplied by an Indian data centre operator to overseas cloud computing providers is not an intermediary service, not a service in relation to goods made available by the recipient, and not a supply directly related to immovable property. The bundled, operational nature of data hosting-ownership and independent operation of premises, hardware, software, power, connectivity and security-means the place of supply defaults to the recipient's location; where the recipient is outside India the supply may be treated as export of services subject to export eligibility conditions.

Input tax credit on demo vehicles allowed when used to promote further supply; blocked for staff transport or agency cases.
Demo vehicles used by authorised dealers to provide trial runs and demonstrate features promote sale of similar motor vehicles and therefore constitute use for "further supply of such motor vehicles," so ITC on those demo vehicles is not blocked under clause (a) of section 17(5). If such vehicles are used for staff transport or where the dealer acts only as a marketing agent and does not supply the vehicle on his own account, ITC remains blocked. Capitalisation does not bar ITC, but claiming depreciation on the tax component disallows ITC on that component and disposal of capitalised demo vehicles attracts output tax adjustments.

Place of supply of advertising services: principal-to-principal deals treat recipient abroad, enabling export classification under default rule.
Where an Indian advertising company contracts comprehensively with a foreign client and separately with media owners, it supplies services on its own account on a principal-to-principal basis and is not an intermediary; the recipient is the foreign client and the place of supply defaults to the recipient's location outside India, qualifying as export of services subject to export conditions. Conversely, where the agency merely facilitates a direct contract between foreign client and media owner and invoices only for facilitation, it is an intermediary and place of supply rules for intermediaries apply.

Special Economic Zone approvals: extensions, item permissions, land de notification and procedural compliance ordered for operational oversight.
The Board regularised and extended validity of Letters of Approval for SEZ units, directed DCs to investigate state level delays affecting LoAs, approved specified restricted refrigerants for IT/ITES SEZ operations and authorised export of certain sandalwood products subject to export only conditions and Customs checks, recommended partial de notification of SEZ land, deferred a revival and transfer proposal pending verification of dues and court approved revival alignment, permitted conversion of processing built up area to non processing under Rule 11B, and accepted surrender of a Formal Approval subject to No Objection.

GSTN portal mapping and de-mapping controls tightened to ensure immediate removal of relieved officers and accountability in supervision.
Systemic improvement is directed for mapping and de-mapping of officers on the GSTN portal to prevent continued portal access after an officer has been relieved from charge. The instruction requires immediate de-mapping on execution of the GFR-33, supervisory monitoring by senior officers, submission of compliance reports within the prescribed time, and clear responsibility and accountability of the officers concerned with mapping and un-mapping on the GSTN portal.

Place of supply: data hosting services to overseas cloud providers treated at recipient location, qualifying as export when conditions met.
Where an Indian data hosting provider supplies comprehensive data centre and hosting services to an overseas cloud computing provider, those services are not intermediary services, not supplied in relation to goods "made available" by the recipient, nor directly in relation to immovable property; accordingly the place of supply defaults to the location of the recipient, and if that recipient is outside India the supply can be treated as an export of services subject to other export conditions.

Input tax credit on demo vehicles permitted when used to promote further sale, disallowed for agency or staff transport.
ITC on demo vehicles with seating capacity not exceeding thirteen is blocked under clause (a) of section 17(5) except when used for further supply, transportation of passengers, or imparting driving training. Demo vehicles used by authorised dealers to promote and facilitate sale are treated as used for further supply and ITC is available; vehicles used for other purposes or acquired where the dealer acts only as an agent are excluded and ITC is not available. Capitalised demo vehicles qualify as capital goods and attract ITC subject to section 16(3) (no ITC if depreciation claimed on tax component) and adjustments on subsequent sale under section 18(6)/rule 44(6).

Place of supply rules: end-to-end advertising to foreign clients treated as export, intermediary treatment differs.
Where an Indian agency provides end-to-end advertising and contracts separately with media owners, it is not an intermediary, the recipient is the foreign client, the supply is not performance based under section 13(3), and the place of supply is the recipient's location under section 13(2), making the service exportable subject to section 2(6). If the agency only facilitates a direct contract between foreign client and media owner, the agency is an intermediary and place of supply for its facilitation services is the supplier's location under section 13(8)(b).

Non-resident guarantees prohibition: banks must ensure guarantees to resident Indian parties comply with FEMA restrictions and due diligence.
Non resident guarantees, including SBLCs and performance guarantees in favour of residents in India, are not permitted under FEMA; Category I Authorised Dealer banks must apply due diligence when advising or transmitting such guarantee contracts to resident constituents to ensure compliance with FEMA restrictions and to bring these requirements to the constituents' attention.

Relaxation of LODR disclosure obligations extended; entities must follow Master Circular conditions and regulatory provisions.
Extension of the temporary relaxation allowing listed entities not to send physical copies of financial statements and related documents for AGMs and to apply earlier relief on voting-related dispatch requirements for electronic general meetings is granted until September 30, 2025; entities must comply with paragraph 5.1 and 5.2 of section VI J of chapter VI of the Master Circular dated July 11, 2023, and note that the relaxations are issued under regulatory powers and remain subject to the Companies Act and applicable rules.