Diamond Imprest Authorisation imposes import/export restrictions, value addition and bond requirements to operationalize the scheme.
The Public Notice inserts a Diamond Imprest Authorisation (DIA) scheme in Handbook of Procedures, 2023: DIA applications must be filed online; imports/exports confined to Mumbai Airport with pre import conditions; exports must be physical natural cut and polished diamonds not exceeding one quarter carat; a minimum 10% value addition in freely convertible currency is required; deemed exports are excluded. DIA holders must execute a bond equal to export obligation and a performance bank guarantee equivalent to duty foregone prior to Customs clearance. Export discharge, validity periods, single authorisation per IEC, prohibitions on extensions/revalidation, and online procedures for fulfilment and regularisation of bonafide default are prescribed.

Addition of authorized laboratory for diamond certification expands approved list and permits its grading reports for export compliance.
A public notice under powers of the Foreign Trade Policy amends Para 4.73 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 by adding GIA Laboratory, DMCC, Dubai, UAE as an authorized laboratory; the laboratory is authorized to carry out certification and grading of diamonds of the specified minimum size and above under the HBoP 2023.

Voluntary disclosure of SCOMET export violations can mitigate administrative penalties when promptly reported and documented.
DGFT notifies an SOP for Voluntary Disclosure of non compliance with SCOMET export controls, requiring prompt internal confirmation, submission of a disclosure proforma and supporting documents to the SCOMET Division, and cooperation with verification. The Inter Ministerial Working Group will consider voluntary disclosure as a potential mitigating factor-excluding certain high risk categories-and will assess intent, authorization likelihood, cooperation, prior violations, senior management knowledge, and remedial compliance measures when recommending no action, show cause, adjudication, or regularisation under applicable law.

Certified organic export: only NPOP compliant production and an accredited Transaction Certificate permit export.
Exports may be designated as Organic Products only where production, processing, packing and labelling conform to the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the export is accompanied by a Transaction Certificate issued by a Certification Body accredited by the National Accreditation Body under the NPOP; a new edition of the NPOP will come into force after a transitional period and this procedure supersedes earlier public notices on organic export.

Export obligation timelines revised for specified imported tea, spices and coconut oil, altering compliance periods under HBP.
The amendment adjusts Export Obligation timelines in Para 6.06(c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of HBP, 2023: imported tea utilisation remains six months; export obligations for imports under Chapter 9 of ITC(HS) and coconut oil must be met within six months from Customs clearance of the first consignment; spices imported for value addition to produce oils and oleoresins of pepper, cardamom and chillies must meet export obligations within six months, while other spices for oils and oleoresins retain a 12 month period.

Stakeholder consultation procedure established for seeking views on formulation or amendment of Foreign Trade Policy provisions.
Amendment incorporates Para 1.04(k) to prescribe that solicitation of views, suggestions, comments or feedback from importers, exporters and industry experts on formulation, amendment or incorporation of specific Foreign Trade Policy provisions shall follow the mode provided in Para 1.07A and that the Public Notice/Trade Notice seeking such inputs will specify the mode of receipt, as a trade facilitation measure with an option for the Central Government to consult stakeholders.

Export authorisations for restricted seeds require specified affidavits, declaration of chemical treatment and compliance with seed licensing.
The SOP requires applicants for export authorisations of Restricted Seeds and Planting Materials to submit product specifications, raw material details and affidavits confirming no use of Indian germplasm and compliance with the Biological Diversity Act. Exports as seed quality demand a Seed Control Order dealer license, declaration of chemical treatment and labelling that seeds are not for consumption; non-sowing exports require an affidavit that material is not breeder/foundation/certified seed and is for consumption only.

Import authorisation requirement for low ash metallurgical coke mandates country-wise applications and documentation, with QR allocations and monitoring.
Country-wise quantitative restrictions on low ash metallurgical coke require prior import authorisation filed per supplier country on the DGFT portal with three years of import data, current year imports and source, and production capacity and actual production figures; quantities must cover the full restriction period. A Special Exim Facilitation Committee will allocate quarterly quantities, permit adjustments between quarters for excess or unutilised imports, and require first-quarter utilisation statements and surrender details. Mis-declaration leads to disqualification and DGFT may amend procedures at any time.

Pre Shipment Inspection Agency recognition enables PSIC issuance subject to calibration, bank guarantee and mapping compliance.
Nine agencies are recognised as Pre Shipment Inspection Agencies in Appendix 2G under Para 2.52(c) HBP 2023 and six existing PSIAs are authorised instrument and area additions. These agencies must, within forty five days, submit updated calibration certificates valid for at least six months, provide a valid bank guarantee, furnish additional IMC prescribed documents and update equipment to area mapping on the DGFT portal; approvals remain valid for three years or until earlier DGFT notification.

Advance authorisation for menthol reinstated; import licences may now be issued under specified HS codes.
Reinstates SION/Adhoc norms for import of menthol with immediate effect under the FTP, covering menthol under specified ITC(HS) codes, and directs Regional Authorities and Norms Committees to consider issuance and fixation of Advance Authorization/DFIA and Adhoc norms in accordance with existing policy and procedure.

Electronic filing requirement for Non Preferential Certificates of Origin now mandatory; implementation awaits the rescheduled eCoO 2.0 launch.
Launch of the enhanced Preferential Certificate of Origin platform eCoO 2.0 has been rescheduled to a later date. Separately, electronic filing of Non Preferential Certificates of Origin on the eCoO 2.0 platform is mandated to commence from the prescribed compliance start date, and Non Preferential CoO issuing agencies listed under the FTP appendix and exporters are required to ensure compliance.

Standard Input-Output Norms notification establishes input-output ratios for export of Propionic Anhydride under chemical products.
Notification under paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 fixes SION A-3683 for Propionic Anhydride exports in the Chemical and Allied Product group, prescribing per 1 kg export input quantities: Propionic Acid 1.15 kg and Acetic Acid Glacial 0.500 kg, thereby formalising the input-output ratios to be applied for export compliance.

EPCG third-party export applicability clarified: amendment applied prospectively; export obligation counted only on realised payments.
The amendment to para 5.10(c) of the HBP 2015-20 is prospective: it applies to third-party exports made against EPCG authorisations issued on or after 05.12.2017, while prior exports remain under the earlier policy. Exports up to 04.12.2017 may count the full realised shipping bill value toward EPCG obligations (subject to single counting and Average Export Obligation rules); exports from 05.12.2017 onward count only the actual payment realised through the normal banking channel into the authorisation holder's account.

Terminology correction clarifies export of mechanized jewellery includes manual processes and excludes imported mountings from net content.
The corrigendum amends Note 2 of Public Notice No. 30/2024-2025 by correcting the wording to state that the export of mechanized plain and studded jewellery also includes some manual process, and reiterates that weight of imported mountings and findings of gold or silver used in export products will not be included in determining net content of gold and silver.

Import Management System governs authorised imports of restricted IT hardware, allowing multiple applications and amendments during validity.
Importers must apply for Import Authorisation through the DGFT Import Management System portal within the announced application window; authorisations issued under the IMS are valid until the end of the calendar year. The system permits multiple applications by the same importer and allows requests for amendment to an authorisation during its validity to be submitted on the DGFT website.

Preferential Certificate of Origin modernization: eCoO 2.0 requires new filings, multi-user access, e-sign and e-wallet features.
The eCoO 2.0 platform replaces the legacy system for Preferential Certificate of Origin filings from 21.12.2024, while pending applications up to 20.12.2024 remain on the legacy platform. Authorised agencies must designate an Administrator to manage users, regional offices, payment gateway parameters, upload background-cleared stamps and signatures, map issuing officers and enable e-wallets. Issuing officers must register with official emails, obtain Administrator approval, and register digital signature tokens. Data migration of CoOs and e-wallet balances will follow stabilisation and be notified separately; CoO verification is available via a pre-login verification tool or QR code.

Harmonisation of export policy: DGFT proposes an 8 digit ITC(HS) Schedule II and invites comments by 27 Nov 2024.
DGFT proposes to replace description based export policy with a harmonised Schedule II using 8 digit ITC(HS) codes aligned to Finance Act, 2024 tariff codes; an updated draft for Chapters 01-98 is circulated for consultation, comments invited by 27.11.2024, after which the draft will be finalised and notified. The draft preserves chapter level Free/Restricted/Prohibited classifications and commodity specific policy and licensing conditions referencing CITES, Wild Life (Protection) Act, APEDA registration, pre shipment inspection, health and origin certificates, and specialised certification regimes where applicable.

Standard Input Output Norms notified for Clobetasol Propionate, setting input allowance of Betamethasone under chemical products.
A new Standard Input Output Norms entry SION A-3682 has been notified for Clobetasol Propionate under Chemical and Allied Products, specifying Betamethasone as the permitted input at an allowance of 0.95 kg per 1 kg of exported Clobetasol Propionate, issued under powers of the Foreign Trade Policy to govern exporter entitlement and related compliance.

Port of export amendment: Amritsar Airport added as authorised export point for gold, silver and platinum jewellery shipments.
Amendment adds Amritsar Airport to the authorised ports of export in Para 4.71 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 for exports under schemes of gold, silver and platinum jewellery; airfreight and Foreign Post exports may be effected through Amritsar Customs House in addition to the previously listed Customs Houses, while courier exports through specified Custom Houses remain permitted up to the existing FOB value per consignment.

Exemption from mandatory Quality Control Orders expanded to include inputs imported for export manufacture, effective immediately.
Amendment to Appendix 2Y adds the Ministry of Heavy Industries to the list of Ministries/Departments whose notifications on mandatory Quality Control Orders are exempted by the DGFT for goods imported as inputs to be utilized/consumed in the manufacture of export products by Advance Authorisation holders, EOUs and SEZ units, making the exemption effective immediately.