Modification of SION input-output norms revised import entitlements for export of refined sunflower oil edible grade.
Modification of SION E-124 revises input entitlements for export of Refined Sunflower Oil (Edible Grade). For one MT of exported refined oil the amended import items and quantities include Crude Sunflower Oil (Edible Grade) (FFA 0.5-1.8%) at 1.033 MT, Caustic Lye (48%) 2.500 kg, Phosphoric acid 0.165 kg, Citric acid 0.020 kg, TONSIL Bleaching earth 2.000 kg and Filter Aid corrected to 3.600 kg. The change is made under Paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and affects export entitlement calculations.

Digitisation of trade forms mandates exclusive online submission and electronic access to codes and certificates for applications.
Directive requires exclusive online submission of digitized Aayat Niryat Forms (ANFs) and Appendices via the DGFT website, with IEC details, RCMC and MSME Udyam status electronically accessible and not required to be uploaded. Professional certifications for certain forms are being enabled for direct digital certification; until digital signatures are available, certified copies may be uploaded. All deficiency letters and responses must be exchanged solely through the DGFT online system.

Bank authorisation to import precious metals updated: specified banks permitted to import gold and/or silver under Appendix provisions.
Amendment updates the Handbook appendix to specify two authorised lists: banks authorised by the central banking authority to import both gold and silver, and banks authorised to import only gold. Each named bank is granted import permission for the specified metal(s) within the stated policy-year validity window, and the public notice effects an update to the Appendix listings that governs entitlement to import under the Handbook of Procedures.

General Authorization for export of information security items requires documented end use, IMWG review, and mandatory quarterly post shipment reporting.
Notification provides a one-time General Authorization for Export of Information Security items (GAEIS) under SCOMET Category 8A5 Part 2, requiring an online application, IMWG review, technical descriptions, End User Certificates from all supply chain entities, list of destination countries, company undertaking, certified internal compliance programme, and AEO T2 certification; re exports need import provenance. Pre export evidence, quarterly post shipment reporting for three years, five year document retention, explicit exclusions for military/WMD uses and embargoed destinations, non revalidatable limited validity, and DGFT discretion to suspend or revoke are mandated.

General Authorization for export of telecommunication items permits one time licensed exports subject to end use controls and reporting.
A one time General Authorization for Export of Telecommunication items (GAET) permits export of specified SCOMET telecommunication goods excluding technology/software and items in Annexure I, subject to an online application, technical descriptions, end use certificates from all supply chain entities, internal compliance certification, AEO T2 status, and inter ministerial review. Prior to export, executed EUCs, contractual proof of permitted end use and signatory contacts must be submitted. Quarterly post shipment reporting for three years and five year record keeping are mandatory; GAET is excluded for military or WMD related uses and may be suspended or revoked for non compliance.

Interest equalization scheme extended with a per IEC cap imposed for the upcoming quarter affecting export credit claims.
Interest Equalization Scheme is extended until 30.06.2024 with a temporary per IEC cap imposed for the quarter commencing 01.04.2024; exporters must observe this ceiling when claiming interest equalization on export credit for that quarter, as communicated in the Trade Notice implementing the notified extension.

Origin declaration under DCTS: exporters must self-certify Rules of Origin to claim preferential UK tariff treatment.
Requirement to use the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) origin declaration for self-certification by Indian exporters to claim concessional import duty: goods must meet the DCTS Rules of Origin and exporters must replace GSP origin declaration wording with DCTS wording when completing self-certification for tariff concessions.

Ad-hoc input-output norms enabled in rule-based IT systems, with RMS referrals and Norms Committee SION recommendations.
Amendments authorise Ad-hoc Input Output Norms to be fixed in a rule-based IT environment without mandatory reference to the Norms Committee, with a percentage of RMS-flagged cases referred for Norms Committee validation. Additionally, where ad-hoc norms are arrived at by the Norms Committee, the Committee may recommend notification of Specific Input Output Norms (SION) on a case-by-case basis, streamlining norm fixation and SION notification under the Advance Authorisation Scheme.

Exemption from mandatory Quality Control Orders permits import of inputs for manufacture of export products under export authorisations.
Amendment creates an updated Appendix 2Y under the Foreign Trade Policy to enable import of inputs subject to Quality Control Orders (QCOs) when those inputs are to be utilised or consumed in the manufacture of export products, permitting Advance Authorisation holders, EOUs and SEZ units to import covered inputs without being subject to specified departmental QCO notifications.

Import allocation caps for petroleum coke imposed, requiring online applications, certified capacity proof and environmental compliance.
Procedure establishes import allocation for calcined petroleum coke for aluminium industry and raw petroleum coke for CPC manufacture for the 2024-25 financial year, requiring online applications through the DGFT portal, State Pollution Control Board certified capacity proof and valid consent to operate, a para wise undertaking of compliance with import policy and environmental guidelines, individual assessment within aggregate ceilings, and authorisations valid only until the financial year end with imports to be completed before that date.

Suspension of menthol inputs from SION and adhoc norms; advance authorisations and DFIAs temporarily barred pending review.
Menthol is suspended from the Standard Input-Output Norms and from adhoc norms by amendment to the Handbook of Procedures and SION with immediate effect; pending review of the affected norms, no Advance Authorisation or DFIA shall be issued for Menthol.

Quality Control Order exemptions enable advance authorisation and EOU imports for manufacture of export products under FTP provisions.
A new Appendix 2Y under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 enables Advance Authorisation holders and EOUs to import inputs covered by mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs) where the DGFT has exempted those QCO notifications; the Appendix lists the Ministries/Departments whose QCOs are so exempted and takes immediate effect under FTP paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 for goods to be utilised in manufacture of export products.

Yellow Peas import monitoring: revised registration timing and mandatory bill of lading uploads change importer obligations.
Amendment revises registration under the Yellow Peas Import Monitoring System (YP-IMS) for consignments arriving after 31.03.2024: replace prior five day pre-arrival registration with registration within seven days from Bill of Lading date or from the Public Notice date, require declaration and possible consolidation of multiple Bills of Lading under a single registration, and mandate uploading of all Bills of Lading copies while permitting masking of exporter details.

Input-output norms updated for cold-finished stainless steel tubes: imported hot-finished inputs, grade match, and weight limits enforced.
Amendment to SION C-831 requires imported hot-finished/mother hollow seamless stainless-steel tubes with outside diameter not less than 65 mm as input, grade correspondence between input and exported cold-finished tubes, an export weight-per-meter cap at fifty percent of the input weight-per-meter, and a mandatory pre-import condition for duty-free licences.

Average Export Obligation relief: EPCG Annual EO for affected product groups to be proportionately reduced.
Regional Authorities must re-fix the Annual Average EO for EPCG Authorizations for 2022-23 by proportionately reducing the Average Export Obligation where a sector/product group recorded more than a five percent decline in exports in 2022-23 versus 2021-22; reductions must be endorsed in licence files and amendment sheets. Before issuing demand notices or EODC actions for EO shortfall, RAs must consider earlier policy circulars (para 5.11.2 HBP 2009-14 and para 5.19 HBP 2015-20) and include this requirement in the EODC check-sheet. An annex lists the affected product groups.

Suspension of SIONs: numerous inoperative norms to be suspended, with reinstatement representations permitted by specified deadline.
The Director General of Foreign Trade, under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, suspends Standard Input-Output Norms (SION) listed in Annexure "A" with effect from 1st April, 2024 because they have been inoperative over the last five years. Representations for reinstatement must be emailed to the designated address and received by the deadline of 15th March, 2024. The notice effects automatic suspension of the enumerated SION codes from the effective date unless otherwise notified.

Export policy mapping to eight-digit ITCHS codes clarifies applicable export controls and confirms no substantive policy change.
Notification No. 60 administratively maps existing export policy to eight-digit ITCHS codes for the specified Schedule 2 chapters, clarifying which export policy applies to each code without changing substantive policy. The mapping is intended as a trade facilitation measure to enable ICEGATE integration and a fully online export licensing system, reduce compliance burden, and improve ease of doing business, while existing policies remain operative and further mapping for remaining chapters is planned.

Pre-shipment inspection exemption for metallic scrap from safe countries allowed through specified designated ports including Adani Gangavaram.
Para 2.51 of the HBP, 2023 is amended to add Adani Gangavaram to the designated ports for scrap import and to the list of ports where consignments of metallic waste and scrap from specified safe countries/regions are exempt from PSIC, provided they carry supplier/scrap yard certificates confirming no radioactive materials or explosives and are subject to radiation and explosive checks; transshipments through those safe countries/regions are excluded and imports via other ports remain subject to PSIC.

Import Allocation for Muskmelon Seeds: capped quantities allocated to processors on actual user basis; applications require FSSAI and CA certification.
Import of Muskmelon seeds under ITC(HS) 12077090 is authorised on a restricted basis up to 31.08.2024 with a total ceiling of 1,200 metric tonnes, to be allocated to processors on an Actual User basis. Eligible applicants must submit one application per IEC, hold a valid FSSAI Manufacturer Licence (Category 4), provide a CA certificate of imports and processed volumes for FY 2021-22 to 2023-24 with GST invoice details, and furnish an undertaking that trading volumes are excluded. The EFC will determine allocations within the aggregate quantity and DGFT may modify allocation procedures; misdeclaration attracts disqualification and two-year debarment.

Import restriction for Watermelon Seeds: Authorisations on actual-user basis with processing credentials required and allocation by Exim Facilitation Committee.
Imports of Watermelon Seeds under ITC(HS) 12077090 are permitted up to the aggregate quantity notified and only until 31.08.2024 on an Actual User basis; one application per IEC is allowed, requiring a valid FSSAI Manufacturer Licence (Category 4), a prescribed Chartered Accountant certificate certifying imported and processed volumes for specified fiscal years with GST invoice backing, and an undertaking that excludes trading volumes.