Preferential Certificate of Origin electronic issuance expanded to include India Mercosur and India Thailand, mandating digital submissions and DSC.
Electronic issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO) is extended to India Mercosur and India Thailand trade agreements via the e CoO platform as the exclusive channel; the system will produce existing CoO copies plus an electronic copy with the issuing officer's image signature and agency stamp. Manual applications on or after the effective date must not be submitted. Applicants must use a Digital Signature Certificate (Class II or III) with the IEC embedded, register on the portal to receive credentials, and ensure IEC details in the DGFT database are current.

Certificate of Origin online issuance shifts to digital platform, issued on exporter declaration with documents retained for later verification.
Non-preferential Certificates of Origin will be issued through a Common Digital Platform on the basis of the exporter's declaration without immediate document scrutiny; uploaded invoices and prescribed documents will be retained for possible later verification. A uniform administrative fee will apply to each certificate. Manual applications may be accepted until the transition date, after which online submission will be mandatory.

Electronic Certificate Management: import certificates must be filed and issued electronically with QR code and UDIN for verification.
Mandated online submission and processing of specified import certificate applications via the DGFT importer/exporter dashboard; certificates will be issued electronically with a QR code and a Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) for electronic verification, with the process designed to be paperless and contactless though attested paper copies may be requested from the jurisdictional DGFT Regional Authority.

Self-certification under REX enables exporters to self-declare origin while requiring post-verification and prescribed fees and standard SOPs.
The Handbook of Procedures now recognises REX based self certification of Statements on Origin under the GSP Scheme and requires competent Local Authorities to perform post verification of self certified Certificates of Origin on request, with fees in Appendix 2K and TA/DA recoverable separately. Beneficiary countries must maintain a verification system and follow the Standard Operating Procedure for verification of eCoOs set out in Annex II to Appendix 2C; these provisions are inserted into paragraph 2.104(c) of Chapter 2.

Export Council jurisdiction updated, revising address and product scope for RCMC issuance under foreign trade policy.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amends Foreign Trade Policy appendices to change the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council's registered/head office address and to list the product categories within its jurisdiction, thereby confirming the Council's authority to issue Registration-cum-Membership Certificates (RCMC) and to serve as an authorised issuing agency for Certificates of Origin under the policy.

E-Tariff Rate Quota system mandated for TRQ imports; licences to be issued electronically and shared with customs.
All applicants for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) must submit and, where applicable, amend applications electronically through the e-Tariff Rate Quota (e-TRQ) module on the DGFT Import Management System; previously submitted applications will be migrated automatically. TRQ licences will be issued only in electronic form and licence data will be transmitted to Customs, with no paper TRQ import licences issued. Support materials and helpdesk channels are provided on the DGFT portal.

Export controls on diagnostic kits: manufacturers must obtain quota based online authorisations and meet documentary eligibility requirements.
Export of specified diagnostic kits and components is permitted only under quota based export authorisations issued via the DGFT ECOM portal. Only manufacturers may apply online within the specified window; licences are subject to a limited validity period. Eligibility requires documentary proof of manufacturing, one application per IEC, and submission of purchase orders, IEC copy and a signed undertaking confirming domestic commitments; all documents must be self attested. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Policy relaxation online submission required; manual applications will not be accepted, with paperless processing and support channels provided.
Applications for policy or procedure relaxation under the Foreign Trade Policy must be filed exclusively through the DGFT's online e PRC module; manual hard copy submissions and physical documents will not be accepted. The e module provides a paperless, contactless electronic workflow for submission, communications, clarifications, corrections and approvals. Users are directed to the DGFT website for module navigation and to online Help/FAQs, and may use the Helpdesk ticketing, a toll free helpline, or an email contact for assistance.

Electronic issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin enables exporters to claim GSP duty preference for UK-bound goods.
Addition of the United Kingdom on the e CoO Platform permits electronic issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin (CoO) under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences. Valid proofs of origin are either electronic GSP Form A or an origin declaration; a physical stamp and signature are not required by UK guidance. The DGFT will not issue pre printed Form A stationery, and electronically submitted certificates will be processed through the platform's online approval process with image sign and signature. Exporters should use the e CoO landing page and designated support channels for registration and assistance.

Certificate of Origin authorization: association authorized to issue non-preferential certificates under foreign trade policy from Haryana.
M/s The All India Plastics Manufacturers' Association (North Zone), Gurugram is authorized to issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) under the Foreign Trade Policy and has been added to Appendix 2E as an agency authorized to issue such certificates, listed under Haryana.

Email authentication protocols protect exporters by validating senders and reducing payment interception risks.
Email spoofing and phishing cause exporters to ship goods without receiving payment; implementation of SPF, DKIM and DMARC is advised to authenticate senders and protect message integrity. SPF authorizes sending IPs via DNS, DKIM provides cryptographic signatures to assure content integrity and domain ownership, and DMARC ties SPF and DKIM to a policy and reporting framework that instructs receivers how to treat unauthenticated messages. Exporters should also follow stronger password practices and confirm bank details via a secure alternate channel.

Extension of installation deadline for Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners allows additional time for seaport compliance.
Amendment of Para 2.54(d)(v)(ii) of the Handbook of Procedures, 2015-2020 extends the deadline for installation and operationalisation of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners at designated seaports, exercising powers under the Foreign Trade Policy to modify the compliance timeline applicable to those ports.

Recognition of Pre Shipment Inspection Agencies: agencies re notified with multi year validity, equipment approval and reporting obligations.
Re notification of Appendix 2G recognises listed entities as Pre Shipment Inspection Agencies authorised to issue Pre Shipment Inspection Certificates using specified, DGFT approved spectrometers, survey meters and explosive detection kits. Agencies may inspect in countries without a full time branch by deputation subject to prior intimation and reporting to DGFT; they must maintain up to date membership certificates, office contact details, and ensure approved instruments carry valid calibration and supporting purchase documentation as recorded in the annexure. One agency's additional areas are time limited.

Modification of PAN-based IEC: new PAN may obtain IEC and prior IECs can be operationally linked and surrendered.
Where a change in constitution results in a different PAN, an IEC may be obtained against the new PAN and previous IEC(s) can be operationally linked to the new PAN/IEC. An online application to the jurisdictional Regional Authority with supporting documents and affidavits must be submitted; the RA may sanction the linkage after scrutiny, and upon approval previous IEC(s) shall be treated as surrendered.

Tariff Rate Quota allocation for sugar enables preferential exports to USA under specified certification and reporting conditions.
Allocation of 8424 MTRV of raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar, and sugar-containing products is notified for export to the USA under the Tariff Rate Quota for US fiscal year 2021. Exports (HS Code 17010000) are 'Free' under TRQ subject to existing conditions. Where required, the Certificate of Origin will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, and prescribed reporting requirements continue to apply.

Tariff rate quota imports: Handbook provision updated to adopt the latest Customs notification governing TRQ imports.
The Handbook provision for imports under the Tariff Rate Quota Scheme (Para 2.60) is replaced. The revised paragraph provides that imports under the Tariff Rate Quota Scheme are governed as per Customs Notification No.28/2020-Customs dated 23.06.2020 of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, as amended from time to time, thereby updating the Handbook to adopt the latest Customs Notification governing TRQ imports.

Disclosure to investigating agencies may be authorised by regional heads with specified receipt, ID and record-keeping safeguards.
Regional Authorities may, on receipt of written requests from investigating agencies, decide to hand over requested records without prior headquarters approval, subject to case facts. Records must be provided against a written request, under proper receipt recording the receiver's name and designation; a copy of the receiver's official ID must be retained and the RA should keep copies of records handed over. If the Head of Office objects to disclosure, a reasoned reference must be sent to the ECA Division at Headquarters.

Designated port list updated: Hazira added for import of unshredded metallic scrap; no exceptions permitted.
Hazira Port is added to the list of designated ports in Para 2.54(d)(iv) of the Handbook of Procedure, 2015-2020, making import of unshredded metallic scrap and waste permissible only through the enumerated designated ports, with no exceptions allowed, including for EOUs and SEZs.

Revision of SION input-output norms for ossein: import unit corrected to metric tonnes, affecting export compliance.
Revision of SION A1827 amends the Handbook of Procedure entry for Ossein to specify Crushed Bones as the required import input and changes the unit of measurement for the imported item from kilograms to metric tonnes; the amendment is notified under the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedure.

Suspension of licence amendment services temporarily during IT migration; new licence issuance and applications remain available.
Temporary suspension of licence amendment services for Advance Authorization, EPCG and DFIA licences will occur from 12:00 PM on 20th November 2020 until 30th November 2020 due to migration to a new DGFT IT environment; amendment functions (re-validation, invalidation, value enhancement, EO extension) will be unavailable while new licence issuance and submission of new applications remain available. Exporters/importers must plan accordingly and ensure IEC registration/linking beforehand; DGFT helpdesk, helpline and email support are available.