Area of Operation inclusion expands a PSIA's operational scope by adding an additional country to its authorised jurisdictions.
The Directorate exercised delegated policy powers to include the United States of America in the Area of Operation of M/s Hamilton Steel Logistics Inc, a registered PSIA, thereby adding a United States branch address to the firm's operational jurisdictions and amending the relevant trade appendix with immediate effect.

De-activation of Importer Exporter Code: non-updated IECs will be de-activated; online update allows automatic re-activation.
IECs not updated electronically after 01.07.2020 will be de-activated from 01.02.2022 unless the IEC holder completes online updation by 31.01.2022; applications already submitted and pending approval are excluded. De-activated IECs may be automatically re-activated on successful online updation, with the updated status transmitted to the Customs system.

Pre-shipment inspection exemption expanded to additional designated ports for metallic scrap from approved safe regions.
Hazira Port and Kamarajar Port are added to the list of sea ports where metallic waste and scrap from the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the EU are exempt from Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) if cleared through the designated ports. Such consignments must carry a supplier/scrapyard certificate confirming no radioactive materials or explosives and will be subject to radiation and explosive checks via portal monitors and container scanners. Trans-shipments through those safe countries/regions are not eligible for the exemption, and imports via other ports remain subject to PSIC.

One-time SCOMET registration required online for GAEC exports; online post-reporting of each export consignment also mandated for compliance.
Exports under GAEC require exporters to obtain a one-time registration per SCOMET Category/Sub Category via DGFT's online portal, yielding a unique five year authorization/license; all exports under GAEC must also be reported through DGFT's online post reporting module, with application and post reporting pathways and helpdesk/support channels provided on the DGFT website.

General Authorisation for Export of Chemicals requires portal application, end use certification, post shipment reporting and compliance oversight.
Inclusion of Paragraph 2.79G creates a General Authorisation for Export of Chemicals and related equipment (GAEC) for specified SCOMET categories, requiring applicants to apply via the SCOMET portal with prescribed proforma, technical descriptions, supply chain or past export details, and an undertaking permitting inspections and restricting end use to that declared in the EUC. The IMWG reviews applications. Post shipment reporting, submission of ANF 2O and the EUC, contract evidence of permitted end use, and specified record retention are mandatory. GAEC is excluded for WMD related uses, embargoed entities, or where proliferation or national security concerns arise; GAEC may be suspended or revoked for adverse reports or non compliance.

COVID-19 Helpdesk continues to assist international trade stakeholders with licensing, customs, documentation and coordinated issue resolution.
Continuation of operations of the COVID-19 Helpdesk establishes a single-point facility to receive, monitor and seek resolution of export-import issues arising from COVID-19. The Helpdesk handles export/import licensing, customs clearance delays, documentation, banking matters and coordinates with other government departments to pursue resolutions. Stakeholders must submit requests via the Helpdesk Service on the Departmental website selecting Category 'Covid-19', or by the specified email or toll-free phone, and may track status via the online status tracker with email and SMS updates.

Standing Grievance Committee composition expanded to include customs, GST, banks and other agencies to consolidate industry grievances.
Amendment revises the Standing Grievance Committee composition to include Customs and GST authorities, DGARM, public and private banks, export inspection agencies/councils, ECGC, State/UT Industries and Export Commissioners, and General Managers of District Industries Centres, alongside existing representatives, to create a consolidated inter-agency forum for redressal of export and foreign trade grievances.

Manual EODC filing option under Advance Authorisation Scheme; exporters must update online closure status to avoid action.
Option permitted for manual/physical filing of EODC/closure applications under the Advance Authorisation Scheme for AAs issued before 1.12.2020; RAs must upload approved physical closure letters into the online system and update authorisation status. Exporters can view past AA status online and upload scanned closure/redemption letters where status is incorrect; they must submit such requests by 31.03.2022. RAs are to verify submissions against office records and may process updates or act suo-motu; absence of updated online status may prompt actions for non-fulfilment of export obligation.

Correction of MEIS serial number: HS code 85414012 entry revised so serial now reads 8147 under FT Policy.
Under the Foreign Trade Policy, the Directorate corrected the MEIS serial number for HS Code 85414012 in Public Notice No. 43/2015-2020 so that the previously listed MEIS serial number 8145 shall be read as 8147, effecting a clerical amendment to the MEIS column of the original notice.

MEIS schedule amendment adds HS code for solar cells and corrects description to harmonize export incentives.
The DGFT amended Appendix 3B, Table 2 of the MEIS to add HS code 85414012 for solar cells assembled in modules and to correct the description of HS code 85414011 to "Solar Cells, not assembled", harmonising the MEIS schedule with the amended ITC (HS) nomenclature and related notifications and fiscal changes.

Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) expanded as two additional agencies authorised to issue export origin certificates.
Authorisation adds two named trade bodies to the official list of agencies empowered to issue Certificate of Origin (Non Preferential), directing their inclusion in the policy appendices and providing operational contact details to formalise their authority for export documentation and compliance.

Import authorisation for watermelon seed imports limited to processors under actual user authorisations; applications due by announced deadline.
Import of Water Melon Seeds - Other (ITC(HS) 12077090) is capped for 01.01.2022-31.03.2022 and fresh online applications for import authorisation are invited until 13.12.2021. Eligibility is restricted to processors on an Actual User basis with IECs issued before the Public Notice, one application per IEC, a processing capacity certificate dated prior to the Public Notice, and a valid FSSAI license. Allocations will be made by the Exim Facilitation Committee considering processing capacity and prior imports; DGFT may amend allocations. Consignments must reach Indian ports by 31.03.2022.

Standard Input Output Norms: two SIONs notify input-output ratios for sodium salicylate and methyl cobalamin exports.
Notification fixes two new Standard Input Output Norms in the Chemical & Allied Product group, prescribing that export of Sodium Salicylate requires Salicylic Acid as the input material and that export of Methyl Cobalamin JP (Mecobalamin) requires Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) as the input material, thereby adding these two SION entries to the controlling schedule under Foreign Trade Policy authority.

Electronic filing of RCMC/RC enables contactless submission and instant verification through a common digital platform for exporters.
A common digital platform on the DGFT portal enables electronic submission, amendment and renewal of Registration Cum Membership Certificates (RCMC) and Registration Certificates (RC) using existing exporter login credentials and Digital Signature Certificate/Aadhaar authentication; certificates issued via the portal are instantly reflected in the exporter profile and verifiable by login.

Digital signature security prevents unauthorized access to trade scrips; report compromised certificates and follow secure password and network practices.
Protection of digital identities depends on secure custody and use of Digital Signature Certificates or Aadhaar e signatures; adopt strong passwords, do not share sensitive credentials, avoid public Wi Fi for official logins, beware phishing and suspicious attachments or domains, and ensure duty credit scrips and related instruments are reflected in online modules. On suspected unauthorized DSC issuance contact the licensed Certifying Authority and report to the Controller of Certifying Authorities, and industry bodies should sensitize members to prevent online theft of duty credit instruments.

Tariff rate quota allocation increased for raw sugar exports to USA, subject to existing TRQ conditions and reporting requirements.
An additional 303 MT of raw sugar has been allocated for export to the USA under the Tariff Rate Quota for fiscal year 2021, raising the total TRQ allocation to 8,727 MT. Exports under this TRQ are free but governed by the Nature of Restrictions in Notification No. 3/2015-20 and the reporting requirements of Public Notice No. 33/2015-20. Certificates of Origin, if required, will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, and other applicable certification requirements continue to apply.

Tariff Rate Quota extension: deadline for India-Mauritius CECPA TRQ applications extended to end January, other modalities unchanged.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended condition (ii)(f) of Annexure III to Appendix 2A of Public Notice No. 31/2015 20, extending the last date for online submission of applications for allocation of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under the India-Mauritius CECPA for the financial year 2021 22; all other modalities, including eligibility and allocation procedures for import authorization under the prior notices, remain unchanged.

De-activation of IECs not updated leads to automatic re-activation once holders update their IECs online.
IECs not electronically updated as required will be de-activated in a phased exercise, with IECs not updated after 1 January 2014 scheduled for de-activation from 6 December 2021; IECs with pending online updation applications will be excluded, and any de-activated IEC may be automatically re-activated by the holder completing the prescribed online update, after which status will be transmitted to customs systems.

Mandatory e-filing for Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin extended; agencies must onboard or face de-notification consequence.
The DGFT extends the transition period for mandatory e-filing of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin on the e-CoO Common Digital Platform until 31st January 2022, allowing continued manual/paper submissions until that date. Agencies listed in Appendix-2E must complete onboarding by the deadline or face de-notification. Exporters are required to register on the platform and may seek assistance from the CoO Helpdesk via the Help Manual, service ticket, email, or toll-free numbers.

Radioactive contamination checks require preset alarm-based monitoring, isotope identification, and mandatory notification and repatriation measures.
Random radiation screening of imported metal scrap requires verification of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency certificate and importer-exporter assurance, measurement of background and container surface radiation with handheld monitors set to a preset alarm above background, and comparison with PSIA certificates or self-declarations. Exceedance of the alarm mandates isotope identification: NORM findings permit release; identification of other radionuclides requires immediate notification to nuclear emergency authorities, relocation to a cordoned area with monitoring and reporting, and initiation of repatriation or deportation, with costs borne by the importer or designated responsible person.