DEPB scheme temporary extension notified; HBP compilations and DEPB rates remain operative until further amendment.
The Director General of Foreign Trade notifies that HBP v1, HBP v2 and the Schedule of DEPB rates shall remain in force "until further amendments," as amended from time to time, while the DEPB scheme shall continue to be operative only until 31st December, 2009, under paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009.

DEPB rate restoration: prior reduced rates withdrawn and earlier DEPB schedule reinstated under trade policy authority.
The Director General of Foreign Trade withdraws earlier reductions in the Schedule of DEPB Rates and restores the DEPB rates that prevailed prior to those reductions, applying the withdrawal retrospectively to the date the reductions were introduced, under powers in the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures.

Export Promotion Council listing updated to reflect EEPC India with revised contact and territorial office details.
Amendment to Appendix-2 revises Sl. No. 11 to list EEPC INDIA (formerly Engineering Export Promotion Council) with its registered/head office in Kolkata and territorial division in New Delhi, providing updated addresses, telephone, fax, email and website details under the power conferred by paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09 to ensure accurate official listing.

Certificate of Origin Non-Preferential: new authorised issuing agent added in Gujarat, expanding recognised DGFT issuing centres.
Amendment adds EXIM CLUB, Association of Exporters & Importers, Vadodara, as an authorised issuing agency at Sr. No.11 (Gujarat) in Appendix 4C for Certificate of Origin Non-Preferential in the Handbook of Procedures Vol. I, under paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09; the public notice provides the agency's contact details and states the amendment is issued in the public interest.

Market linked focus products amended-exports to linked markets eligible for specified export incentives, subject to bicycle use proof.
Appendix 37D Table 10 is amended to specify revised product descriptions and tariff classifications for bicycle components and related fittings, and to add Algeria to the linked markets for Focus Product Codes 10.1-10.10. Exports of these products to the listed linked markets are eligible for the export incentive under Para 3.10.7 for shipments from 1 April 2008. A mandatory condition for Focus Product Codes 10.2-10.10 requires exporters to provide documentary proof that the products are for bicycle use only to the Registration Authority before claiming benefits.

Focus Products Scheme inclusion: Staples in Strips added and made eligible for scheme benefits from the specified export date.
Appendix 37D is amended to insert ITC(HS) Code 85052000 at Sl. No. 17 in Table 2 and to add "Staples in Strips" to the Description column; Staples in Strips (ITC(HS) Code 85052000) are made eligible for Focus Products Scheme benefits for exports made with effect from 1.4.2008 under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09.

SFIS deadline clarified: current year applications due twelve months after the end of the application frequency period.
Amendment to the Handbook of Procedures revises SFIS submission deadlines: previous financial year SFIS has a specified last date, while current financial year SFIS is due twelve months from the end of the application frequency period, effected under powers in Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09 via Public Notice replacing the last two sentences of Para 3.23.10.

Transitional arrangements for restricted imports remain applicable, allowing prior shipments to be processed under existing FTP provisions.
Transitional arrangements under the Foreign Trade Policy continue to apply to items restricted by the Notifications, permitting affected consignments to be processed under the existing transitional mechanism. Shipments made prior to the issuance of the restriction notifications may be allowed entry consistent with the Handbook provision permitting clearance of pre-notification shipments, and Licensing Authorities and Customs Commissioners should continue processing such cases accordingly.

EPCG import rule permits tippers and dumpers for mining use only with registration and no public road use.
Import of trucks, tippers, dumpers and spares by mining establishments is allowed under the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme only if the equipment is registered in the authorization holder's name, installed and used for production within the declared mining area, not registered as public vehicles, not transferred (including within group companies), and not used on public roads; applications will be considered by Headquarters in consultation with the Department of Heavy Industry, while railway wagons and tractors are not permitted and non-mining sectors are excluded from this concession.

SION amendment revises permitted import inputs for Shea Stearine, updating authorised input items and required quantities.
Amendment to the Standard Input Output Norms modifies the SION entry for Shea Stearine, updating the authorised import inputs to include a primary oil feedstock (either shea nuts with specified oil content or shea butter) and specified processing aids such as bleaching earth and acetone, as corrections to the Handbook of Procedures (Vol.2) effected by the Director General of Foreign Trade under the Foreign Trade Policy.

DEPB benefit restoration for milk and milk products enables immediate reinstatement of export incentives under trade policy.
Restoration of DEPB Benefit for exports of milk and milk products and for casein is announced, effective immediately, by amendment to the Schedule of DEPB Rates under the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. I). The amendment is made under powers conferred by the Foreign Trade Policy and the Handbook provisions and directs that DEPB entitlements for the specified commodities be reinstated for shipments forthwith.

VKGUY scheme benefits extended to exports of milk and value added milk products, clarifying casein ineligibility.
Director General of Foreign Trade amends the Handbook of Procedures under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009 to delete prior modifications to Appendix 37A and restore entitlement to VKGUY scheme benefits for exports of Milk and value added Milk Products. It is clarified that Casein was never eligible for VKGUY benefits, and Milk and value added Milk Products covered under ITC HS codes 0401-0406, 19011001, 19011010 and 2105 are entitled to benefits for exports made w.e.f. 11.12.2008.

VKGUY product eligibility updated to add new product codes, expanding covered goods under Appendix of the Handbook.
Amendment adds Table 15 "New Gram Udyog and Other Products" to Appendix 37A of the Handbook of Procedures, inserting VKGUY product codes 15.1-15.70 with specified ITC HS codes and descriptions and making benefits admissible from 1 April 2008; promulgated under paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09. The notice excludes cooking and dining items from handicraft eligibility, barring tableware and kitchenware from VKGUY benefits, and notes subsequent omissions/insertions by later public notice.

High Value Added Manufactured Goods inclusion expands export benefit eligibility subject to complete value addition requirement.
Specified products are included in the list of High Value Added Manufactured Goods in Table 9 of Appendix 37D and are eligible for export benefits for exports made from 1 April 2008. Exports performed to meet Advance Authorisation or Duty Free Import Authorisation obligations qualify for these benefits only if the value addition meets the required full value addition threshold and this is verified to the satisfaction of the concerned regional authority.

Service Tax refund on Clearing and Forwarding services allowed, reversing prior non-levy position and enabling exporter refund claims.
Permits refund of service tax paid on Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) agent services in relation to export goods, reversing the prior administrative position that C&F services were not leviable, and withdraws the earlier clause excluding C&F agency service from levy, directing authorities to implement the refund entitlement for exporters.

Continuation of Foreign Trade Handbook: HBP v1/v2 and DEPB schedule remain in force, DEPB operative until May.
The Director General of Foreign Trade, under paragraph 2.4 of the FTP, notifies that HBP v1, HBP v2 and the Schedule of DEPB rates, as amended, shall remain in force until further amendments, while the DEPB Scheme shall continue to be operative only until May 2009.

Physical Verification Report requirement: must reference transit permits and document inspection of unexported materials.
Requirement that Physical Verification Report include a Certificate of Physical Verification from the DCF/DFO and specifically mention the transit permit. Unexported materials lying in the licence-holder's premises or godowns must be inspected during verification and the findings duly reflected in the Physical Verification Report.

Import restriction on specified polyester items enforced to prevent mis-declaration and ensure correct tariff classification.
Importation of polyester items under Exim Codes 5402 44 00 and 5402 47 00 is restricted; authorities report these items are being mis-declared and imported under incorrect classifications. Licensing and customs authorities are directed to enforce strict adherence to the import policy and to prevent imports entered under wrong Exim codes.

Export control for military stores: exports require No Objection Certificate from Department of Defence Production and must be blocked otherwise.
Export of goods that are apparently military stores requires a No Objection Certificate from the Department of Defence Production under the ITC(HS) classification, except for items listed as freely exportable in Export Licensing Note 1; Customs and all export units including EOU, EHTP, STP and BTP must not allow such exports without that certificate.

TED refund eligibility for vehicle manufacturers permitted when dealer and EPCG holder affidavits confirm no duplicate claim.
Manufacturers of vehicles may obtain TED refund for deemed export supplies to EPCG Authorization holders even when supplies and excise invoices are routed through dealers, provided they submit affidavits from both the dealer and the EPCG Authorization holder confirming no claim for TED. Each affidavit must state the dealer's excise invoice number and the vehicle chassis number, and these affidavits are required in addition to other documents prescribed under the Foreign Trade Policy and Procedures for deemed export benefits.