Export permission for Wheat Flour with Millets allowed subject to minimum composition, import entitlement calculation, and domestic sourcing conditions.
Amendment to SION E-136 permits export of Wheat Flour (Atta) with Millets provided the product contains at least 65% Wheat Flour and 15% Millets; Millets and other added ingredients must be domestically sourced; import entitlement under Advance Authorization will be calculated in proportion to the percentage of Whole Wheat Flour in the export item, allowing 1.07 kg of Wheat import entitlement per 1 kg of Whole Wheat Flour exported; the Shipping Bill must indicate percentage contents and earlier SION conditions continue to apply.

Authorized diamond grading laboratory name updated, affecting certification and grading recognition under foreign trade policy.
The Director General of Foreign Trade amended Para 4.73(15) of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023, replacing the previously listed laboratory name with International Institute of Diamond Grading and Research (Belgium), NV, thereby modifying the official list of authorized laboratories for certification and grading of diamonds.

Inclusion of AYUSH Export Promotion Council expands RCMC authority for specified AYUSH products while revising other councils' jurisdictions.
The DGFT amends Appendix 2T of FTP 2023 to insert AYUSH Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) to issue RCMCs for specified AYUSH medicants/medicaments and related cosmetics/toiletries. CHEMEXCIL's and PHARMEXCIL's jurisdictions are revised to exclude items allocated to AYUSHEXCIL, while RCMCs already issued by CHEMEXCIL and PHARMEXCIL for those items remain valid until expiry.

Export quota allocation for broken rice: deadline for government-requested humanitarian exports extended under amended trade notice.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade partially amends earlier Trade Notices to extend the last date for submission of application for obtaining licence for export of broken rice to Senegal, Gambia and Indonesia up to 11th August, 2023, referencing a judicial order and directing Regional Authorities, Customs Commissionerates and trade members to process applications under the revised timeline and existing licensing procedures.

Allocation of broken rice export quota on humanitarian grounds via pro rata online allocation and compliance requirements.
Export of broken rice is permitted only by Government permission for specified countries and will be allocated online by DGFT using minimum shipment thresholds and an initial pro rata allocation based on each exporter's three year average exports to the requesting country (or the quantity applied for, whichever is less), with reallocation of unutilized quantities on a pro rata basis. Applicants must file online within the prescribed window with required export data; authorisations are time limited and require submission of a landing certificate. Misdeclaration or failure to export the allocated quota may lead to blacklisting and enforcement under applicable foreign trade laws.

Export quota allocation for humanitarian wheat exports to Bhutan via pro rata historical exports, with authorisation and penalties.
Allocation of export quota for Wheat, Wheat Flour (Atta) and Maida/Semolina to Bhutan is authorised on humanitarian grounds and will be allotted online by a pro rata mechanism based on each exporter's three year average exports to Bhutan, subject to a minimum threshold and the lesser of historical average or applied quantity; unutilised quantities will be reallocated pro rata, authorisations are valid until 31 March 2024, applicants must submit past export data and successful exporters must furnish a landing certificate within ninety days, with mis declaration or failure to export causing two year blacklisting and enforcement action.

Export quota allocation for broken rice extended on humanitarian grounds; licence applications for specified countries accepted until extended deadline.
Allocation of quota for export of broken rice on humanitarian and food security grounds is amended to allow additional licence applications from specified foreign governments; officials are directed to accept and consider outstanding applications for exports to the listed countries within the extended submission period under the existing procedural and eligibility conditions.

Searchable ad-hoc norms database enables Advance Authorisation applications on a no-norm repeat basis without committee ratification.
A searchable database of Ad-hoc Norms under Para 4.07 of the Handbook of Procedure permits applicants to identify pre-fixed norms by item description and ITC(HS) codes and, where a norm matches item description, specified wastages and HBP validity, to apply for an Advance Authorisation on a No-Norm Repeat basis without Norms Committee ratification, subject to other FTP/HBP provisions and the norm's validity.

SEZ import exemption: specified gold HS code imports excluded from recent notification restrictions under Rule 27(1) of SEZ Rules.
Imports made by SEZ units under the HS codes identified in Notification No.19 are outside the purview of that Notification under Rule 27(1) of the Special Economic Zone Rules 2006; the DGFT policy circular instructs customs, SEZ regulatory authorities and trade stakeholders to implement this clarification.

Condonation of delay in installation certificate under EPCG Scheme: RAs may accept certificates till year-end on payment of late fee.
Regional Authorities may accept installation certificates under the EPCG Scheme for authorizations issued under FTP 2009-14 and FTP 2015-20 up to 31.12.2023 for regularization on payment of a late fee of Rs. 10,000 per authorization (in addition to composition fee where applicable), provided the certificate was obtained within the prescribed period but not submitted on time, bonafide reasons for delay are given, and the authorization is not under investigation or adjudication.

Skilling and Mentorship Obligation requires status holders to provide industry-led export training and report actions through DGFT portal.
DGFT notifies a model curriculum to implement the Skilling and Mentorship Obligation for Status Holders under Para 1.30(b) FTP 2023: an industry led minimum six week training program with indicative annual mentoring targets, covering international trade fundamentals, regulatory framework, product identification, logistics, trade finance, practical in company exposure and field visits, with DGFT/IIFT resources recommended. DGFT Regional Authorities will facilitate engagement, beneficiary identification and stakeholder liaison, while Status Holders design selection criteria, assessments, feedback, certifications and report actions via an online portal.

Tariff rate quota change: Cotton HS codes revised under Ind Aus ECTA, altering quota allocation and in quota duty treatment.
The DGFT amends Para 2.92 and Annexure V of Appendix 2A of the HBP 2023 to substitute ITC(HS) code 52010020 with ITC(HS) codes 52010024 and 52010025 for cotton TRQ under the India Australia ECTA, aligning DGFT entries with Customs Notification No. 38/2023 Customs; cotton described under ITC(HS) 52010024 (minimum 28 mm staple length) is identified at in quota zero percent duty with the TRQ quantity for calendar year 2023 onwards.

Export quota allocation for broken rice extended application period; mis declaration or non export risks blacklisting and FT(D&R) Act action.
Procedure for allocation of export quotas of broken rice on humanitarian and food security grounds is amended to extend the licence application deadline for certain recipient countries; mis declaration or failure to export allotted quota within the specified time will lead to blacklisting for two financial years and action under the FT (D&R) Act.

Quota allocation for broken rice: sea shipment minimum reduced, application window extended; importer details optional, landing certificate timeline clarified.
Allocation procedure for export of broken rice on humanitarian and food security grounds is amended: minimum sea shipment allocation threshold reduced from 8000 MT to 2000 MT; online applications up to 03/07/2023 will be considered; Landing Certificate must be submitted within 90 days of completion of export of allocated quota; importer details in the online licence application are now optional.

Amnesty scheme extension: registration deadline moved to December and customs duty payment deadline moved to March.
Amendment requires any authorisation holder choosing the amnesty to complete registration as prescribed by the scheme by 31.12.2023 and to complete payment of customs duty plus interest with the jurisdictional customs authorities by 31.03.2024, with all other terms of the prior Public Notices remaining unchanged.

Advance Authorisation closure procedures allow physical redemption submissions and online EODC status updates; EOP extensions processed physically.
Authorisation holders must submit physical files for redemption and EOP extension to the concerned DGFT Regional Authority, which will examine and process EOP extension applications manually; upon RA approval, holders may submit online Closure/EODC Status Update requests via DGFT website Services Advance Authorisation Annual Advance Authorisation Closure/EODC Status update, and the RA must record any physical correspondence in the portal's correspondence section.

Online Norms Fixation now required for advance authorization applications; physical submissions will not be accepted.
DGFT requires all Norms Fixation and Review of Norms applications for advance authorization to be submitted exclusively via the new online Norms Fixation IT module on the DGFT website; no hard copy or email applications to the Norms Committee will be accepted, and applicants should consult the Help manual, FAQs, or DGFT Helpdesk channels for assistance.

Amnesty scheme manual application allows exporters to submit hardcopy forms and payment proof for EODC issuance online.
Amnesty scheme applicants may use a stand alone manual form at amnestyscheme.in when authorisation data is missing from DGFT EODC or persistent technical issues prevent online filing. Applicants must print, sign and submit the form to the concerned Regional Authority with supporting documents and a computerised receipt, respond to the RA's confirmation by providing proof of payment to the Jurisdictional Customs Authority, and upon verification the RA may grant the EODC online in the DGFT EODC module; final EODC issuance is through the DGFT online module.

General Authorization for Export of Drones permits one-time licensing for specified low-capability UAVs with strict eligibility, reporting and compliance.
Amendments create a General Authorization for Export of Drones (GAED) permitting one time SCOMET export authorisations for specified UAVs meeting capability limits, conditional on online ANF 10G application, technical specifications, destination list, signed End Use Certificates in Appendix 10J(i), an undertaking permitting inspections and prohibiting unauthorised use, proof of an Internal Compliance Programme, pre export contractual evidence of permitted end use, quarterly post shipment reporting for three years, five year record retention, and exclusions for military, WMD, sanctioned or proliferation sensitive destinations; GAEDs last three years and may be suspended or revoked for non compliance.

Inclusion of Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices authorizes issuance of RCMC for specified medical device items with immediate effect.
Amendment adds the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices to Appendix 2T of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, authorising it to issue Registration Cum Membership Certificates (RCMC) for a detailed list of medical devices and ancillary products. The inserted entry specifies the Council's registered office and an extensive catalogue of items-ranging from disposables and diagnostic kits to imaging apparatus, surgical instruments, implants, protective garments and related parts-covered by its jurisdiction. RCMCs already issued by the previously named council remain valid until their expiry, and the change takes immediate effect.