ITC(HS) classification clarifications: Exim Codes and import compliance obligations confirmed for specified goods.
Directive assigning ITC(HS) Exim Codes to specified goods with remarks on item-specific regulatory conditions (e.g., RBI rules for certain coins, SEZ versus DTA treatment for worn shoes, and non-coverage of certain batteries under Hazardous Waste Rules). The circular also mandates compliance with standards and licensing regimes: BIS conformity for packaged natural mineral water, DGFT licences for import of solid plastic wastes for reprocessing or reuse, accredited test clearances for specified food imports, MRP labelling for packaged commodities, and quarantine and health certification for limited pet imports.

Electronic exchange of EDI shipping bill data enables online DEPB applications with digital signatures and EFT payment, eliminating manual submissions.
Mandate electronic data exchange for DEPB-related EDI Shipping Bills from designated Customs EDI ports; require online DEPB applications with digital signature and EFT payment; prohibit manual applications for such EDI-based claims; DGFT server will segregate EDI Shipping Bill data IEC-wise for linkage in the DEPB ECOM module; scanned digitally signed Bank Realisation Certificates may be uploaded or originals submitted to the jurisdictional RLA within the specified short period; DEPB licences and amendments will be transmitted electronically to the Customs Port of Registration while paper licences continue to be issued for transfer and presentation.

Nexus with product group clarified: DFCE imports allowed only for capital goods, office equipment and listed SION inputs.
Clarifies the scope of nexus with product group for DFCE: capital goods capable of producing product-group goods and office equipment are covered; for product groups corresponding to Appendix 17D entries any input listed in the relevant SION Book category is permissible; Gems and Jewellery follow Chapter 4A sectoral rules. Where export products do not fall under SION categories, ITC HS may guide classification but import lists must conform to SION Book categories; Zonal Offices decide remaining doubts and may endorse import lists on the certificate; fuel imports remain limited per SION general note.

Correction to public notice: term "Antibagar" replaced by "Ainbagar" under delegated trade policy authority.
Director General of Foreign Trade directs that the word "Antibagar" in Para 2 and Para 5(c) of Public Notice No. 27 (RE-2005)/2004-2009 be corrected to "Ainbagar" under powers conferred by paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-2009, issued in the public interest.

Importer-Exporter Code issuance: printed application form and provisional receipt streamline IEC applications processing at counter
Grant of Importer-Exporter Code numbers is facilitated by a printed Aayaat Niryaat Form available at the Delhi Exporters Association counter; the form contains applicant guidelines, a checklist of annexures and a printed yellow receipt issued across the counter as provisional evidence of application filing, obviating the need to wait for a computerized receipt and expediting IEC submissions.

Advance licence applications: select 'Component NTN Packaging' in DES to import components and packaging materials.
Advance Licence applications for import of components and packaging materials must be submitted by selecting the DES menu option Component NTN Packaging, as instructed in the Trade Notice issued by the Zonal office to standardise filing for such applications.

SION amendments revise input norms for polyester products and delete specified SION entries, altering export-import input requirements.
The Public Notice amends the Handbook of Procedures by deleting specified SION entries and revising SION A-3016 to add Formers as item No.7 with mandatory declaration of individual Former quantities in export documents and renumber packing material as item No.8. It also revises input-output norms for polyester-related plastic products, specifying updated import quantities of raw materials and additives per unit of export for listed SION entries.

DEPB rate amendments update export incentive entries and product descriptions, specifying new rates and value caps for certain exports.
Additions and amendments to the Schedule of DEPB rates add a new Engineering entry for hermetically sealed compressor pump kit assemblies with a DEPB rate and value cap, amend two engineering product descriptions to clarify brass sanitary fittings and specified thin walled engine bearings, insert three Chemical entries including trichloro carbanilide, cheque security papers, and potassium chlorate with DEPB rates, and amend a Textiles entry to specify viscose polyamide blended/twisted yarn, issued under the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures authority.

Import of scrap restricted to shredded consignments from specified ports, permitting entry only from listed ports.
Amendment to Para 2.32 requires that import of scrap be allowed only in shredded form, and Annexure II to Appendix V designates the ports of shipment from which shredded metallic scrap will be accepted, listing Bandar Abbas as a permitted port.

Handbook amendment updates agricultural product district listings and adds an authorized agency for non preferential certificates of origin.
Amendments revise Appendix 8 to change district listings for specified agricultural products, altering geographic applicability, and add the Tirupur Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Appendix 4 C as an agency authorized to issue Certificates of Origin-Non Preferential, with its contact details recorded.

Appendix amendment adds a new registered exporter entry, updating contact details for trade facilitation under foreign trade policy.
Amendment adds a new entry to Appendix 5 of the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. I) under paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, updating the official registry by inserting a listed exporter with its office address, telephone, fax and e mail contact particulars for use in trade and export facilitation.

SCOMET declaration: separate declaration accepted temporarily for processing until integrated into Aayat Niryaat Form procedure
Because Para 5A has not yet been incorporated into the Aayat Niryaat Form, separate written SCOMET declarations submitted by applicants will be accepted for processing until the declaration is integrated; earlier declarations filed under the prior trade notice will also be treated as sufficient without insisting on submission in Para 5A.

Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana benefits revoked for sesame exports; entry removed from Appendix by Foreign Trade Policy amendment.
The entry for SESAMUM INDICUM (sesamum, til) at Sl. No. 526 is deleted from Appendix 37A of the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. I) and, under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009, Appendix 37A is amended to reflect that no Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana benefits shall be admissible on exports of SESAMUM INDICUM.

Importability of Air Conditioners: HCFC 22 charged units to be treated as freely importable pending regulatory formulation.
Import of Air Conditioners under EXIM Code 8415 is free under ITC (HS) classification even when units are filled with HCFC 22 (R 22); Customs objections requiring import licences for such consignments are overridden. While a GATT compatible regulation for HCFC charged air conditioners is being developed in consultation with the environmental authority, already landed but uncleared consignments shall be treated as freely importable and allowed clearance by Customs.

Advance licence extension now requires composition fee for further extensions and mandates input specification declarations.
Amendments replace Paragraph 4.27 first sub paragraph to govern Advance Licences issued up to 31.8.2004 by earlier handbook chapters except clubbing and extension governed by Paragraphs 4.20 and 4.22.1; replace Paragraph 4.22.1 third sub paragraph to allow any further extension only on payment of a composition fee calculated as a monthly percentage of the duty saved amount proportionate to the remaining export obligation; add requirement in Paragraph 4.24A(b) for exporters to declare technical characteristics, quality and specifications for specified inputs with licensing authority to record those details; and add Tuticorin to ICD lists in Paragraphs 4.19 and 4.40.

Appendix-5 amendment adds a new listed entity to the trade directory, updating official contact details under trade policy.
Amendment adds a new entry to Appendix-5 of the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. I) under powers conferred by paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, inserting a specified commercial entity with its telephone, telefax, mobile and e-mail contact details into the official Appendix-5 directory; the change is administrative, effected by public notice to update the Handbook's listings.

Appendix 37A additions expand eligible agricultural and botanical items; export negative list products excluded from scheme benefits.
Public Notice adds an extensive Annexure of agricultural, botanical, oilseed and oilcake items to Appendix-37A of the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. I) under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy. It expressly inserts a footnote that any item on the export negative list under ITC (HS) classifications, whether restricted or prohibited, shall not be eligible for benefits under the Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana, thereby excluding such items from scheme benefits.

Special Economic Zone jurisdiction updated: KASEZ Development Commissioner assigned Kutch district, Kandla and Surat SEZs.
Amendment revises Appendix-1 entry at Sl. No. 35 to designate the Development Commissioner at Kandla SEZ, Gandhidham, as the licensing authority under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy. Territorial jurisdiction covers: (1) Kutch district of Gujarat; (2) units in Kandla and Surat SEZs; and (3) approved EOU/SEZs located in Gujarat, with office contact details provided for administrative implementation.

DTA sale entitlement conditioned on cumulative positive NFE; advance DTA sales limited to expansion or new production streams.
High grade iron ore exports are canalized through the nominated trading agency and require export approval; segregation activities are not treated as manufacture from 1.4.2002 but pre existing units may continue for five years with input exemptions while being barred from DTA sale. Failure to attain positive Net Foreign Exchange within the specified five year assessment period may attract a cautionary letter. Advance DTA sale permissions must be adjusted before permitting DTA sale; advance DTA sales are limited to capacity expansion or new production streams linked to exports, and DTA entitlement accrues only upon cumulative positive NFE.

Eligibility for Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana: EOUs qualify for benefits on specified exports and must apply to jurisdictional licensing authority.
EOUs are eligible for Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana benefits for physical exports of items appearing in Appendix 37A on the same basis as DTA units; EOUs must file consolidated applications for duty credit entitlement certificates with the Regional Licensing Authority having territorial jurisdiction as prescribed in Appendix 1 of the Handbook of Procedures.