Import quota allocation for petroleum coke requires online applications under a specified import authorisation procedure.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade invites online applications for allocation of import quantities of Calcined Petroleum Coke for the aluminium industry and Raw Petroleum Coke for CPC manufacturing for FY 2025 26, exercising powers under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. Applicants must apply via the DGFT Import Management System under Import Authorisation for Restricted Imports with Import Category 'Import of Pet Coke'; submissions under other categories face rejection, and conditions of Public Notice no. 49/2023 dated 11.03.2024 continue to apply.

Mandatory online submission and payment for show cause replies under FTDR Act required through DGFT portal to ensure digital compliance.
Mandatory online submission and payment procedures are instituted for enforcement and adjudicatory processes under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, requiring all replies to Show Cause Notices and related information requests in Adjudication, Appeal and Review proceedings to be filed exclusively through the DGFT portal; paper-based submissions will not be accepted. Penalties arising from orders must be paid electronically against the corresponding online ECA, Appeal or Review file, and use of miscellaneous payment options is discouraged to ensure correct accounting.

Certificates of Origin issuance must be electronic; manually issued CoOs are void and may be rejected abroad.
Certificates of Origin must be issued electronically via the Trade Connect ePlatform; manually issued Certificates of Origin after the specified deadlines will be considered null and void and are liable to be rejected by recipient-country Customs. Instances of contravention should be reported to the Directorate at the designated email, and issuing agencies that continue to violate the mandate may be removed from the list of authorised agencies.

Export conditions for Wheat Flour with Millets: new SION allows such exports subject to composition, sourcing and documentation rules.
SION E-136 is amended to allow export of Wheat Flour (Atta) with Millets provided the export item meets minimum composition requirements of Whole Wheat Flour and Millets, import entitlement under Advance Authorization for Wheat is computed proportionately to the Whole Wheat Flour content using the prescribed conversion factor, Millets and other added ingredients are domestically sourced, the shipping bill specifies percentage composition of ingredients, and all earlier conditions in prior public notices continue to apply.

SION amendment updates input-output norm for erythromycin stearate tablet exports with immediate effect; pro-rata applicability noted.
Amendment to SION A-222 sets the input-output requirement for export of Erythromycin Stearate tablets: one 250 mg erythromycin-equivalent tablet requires 334 mg of Erythromycin Stearate input; norms for other strength variants may be determined on a pro-rata basis; the amendment is effective immediately.

Wastage norms for jewellery exports revised, altering permissible manufacturing loss and SION input norms under Handbook of Procedures for exporters.
Amendment revises wastage percentages for specified jewellery categories under Para 4.59 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023, distinguishing handcrafted and mechanized processes and providing separate maximum wastage rates for gold/platinum and silver. Corresponding modifications to SION M-1 to M-8 set precise input quantities per 1 Kg of export product for gold, platinum and silver for each export item and manufacturing mode. Note excludes imported mountings and findings from net content determination. The Public Notice supersedes the earlier notice and is effective immediately.

Track and Trace requirement for exported drug formulations withdrawn; authentication now governed under Drug Rules and health regulations.
Withdrawal of the Track and Trace compliance requirement for exported drug formulations by removing Para 2.76 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023, rescinding the procedural mandate for implementation of a Track and Trace system for export consignments and reassigning authentication implementation to the Drug Rules framework.

Annual RoDTEP Return filing via DGFT online module; separate returns, item thresholds, detailed tax apportionment and declarations required.
The DGFT has introduced an online module for Annual RoDTEP Return filing requiring separate submissions for DTA and SEZ/AA/EoU exports, itemised reporting by 8 digit HS Code, and returns limited to items meeting the prescribed accrued support threshold or, if none qualify, a single return for the item with highest accrued support. The ARR demands detailed entries of exporter/unit data, export quantities and FOB values, apportioned taxes and levies (transport, electricity, stamp, fuel, embedded GST), inputs with HS codes and supporting attachments, with approximations permitted if justified and a mandatory declaration against duplicate remission.

eCertificate of Origin implementation: Non Preferential CoO must be applied online with prescribed documents and attestation fee.
Implementation of an eCertificate of Origin requires exporters seeking Non Preferential Certificates to apply online via the designated portal to agencies listed in Appendix 2E, upload invoice and packing list, and pay the applicable attestation fee. Issuing agencies must verify Indian origin criteria and issue eCoOs in the prescribed format; corrections may be requested online as in lieu CoO applications. Agencies may apply for enlistment under Appendix 2E per Annexure I. Back to Back Non Preferential Certificates for non Indian origin goods for re export or trans shipment require documentary evidence and explicit notation on the certificate.

Average Export Obligation relief: re-fix Annual EO for EPCG authorisations after qualifying sectoral export declines.
Relief under para 5.17(a) HBP (FTP, 2023) permits reducing the Annual Average Export Obligation for EPCG authorisations proportionate to sectoral/product-group export declines in 2023-24 compared to 2022-23. Regional Authorities must re-fix Annual Average EO for 2023-24, endorse reductions in the licence file and amendment sheet, and ensure that prior policy circulars are considered before issuing demand notices or EODC; this stipulation must be included in the EODC check-sheet.

Diamond Imprest Authorisation imposes import/export restrictions, value addition and bond requirements to operationalize the scheme.
The Public Notice inserts a Diamond Imprest Authorisation (DIA) scheme in Handbook of Procedures, 2023: DIA applications must be filed online; imports/exports confined to Mumbai Airport with pre import conditions; exports must be physical natural cut and polished diamonds not exceeding one quarter carat; a minimum 10% value addition in freely convertible currency is required; deemed exports are excluded. DIA holders must execute a bond equal to export obligation and a performance bank guarantee equivalent to duty foregone prior to Customs clearance. Export discharge, validity periods, single authorisation per IEC, prohibitions on extensions/revalidation, and online procedures for fulfilment and regularisation of bonafide default are prescribed.

Addition of authorized laboratory for diamond certification expands approved list and permits its grading reports for export compliance.
A public notice under powers of the Foreign Trade Policy amends Para 4.73 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 by adding GIA Laboratory, DMCC, Dubai, UAE as an authorized laboratory; the laboratory is authorized to carry out certification and grading of diamonds of the specified minimum size and above under the HBoP 2023.

Voluntary disclosure of SCOMET export violations can mitigate administrative penalties when promptly reported and documented.
DGFT notifies an SOP for Voluntary Disclosure of non compliance with SCOMET export controls, requiring prompt internal confirmation, submission of a disclosure proforma and supporting documents to the SCOMET Division, and cooperation with verification. The Inter Ministerial Working Group will consider voluntary disclosure as a potential mitigating factor-excluding certain high risk categories-and will assess intent, authorization likelihood, cooperation, prior violations, senior management knowledge, and remedial compliance measures when recommending no action, show cause, adjudication, or regularisation under applicable law.

Certified organic export: only NPOP compliant production and an accredited Transaction Certificate permit export.
Exports may be designated as Organic Products only where production, processing, packing and labelling conform to the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the export is accompanied by a Transaction Certificate issued by a Certification Body accredited by the National Accreditation Body under the NPOP; a new edition of the NPOP will come into force after a transitional period and this procedure supersedes earlier public notices on organic export.

Export obligation timelines revised for specified imported tea, spices and coconut oil, altering compliance periods under HBP.
The amendment adjusts Export Obligation timelines in Para 6.06(c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of HBP, 2023: imported tea utilisation remains six months; export obligations for imports under Chapter 9 of ITC(HS) and coconut oil must be met within six months from Customs clearance of the first consignment; spices imported for value addition to produce oils and oleoresins of pepper, cardamom and chillies must meet export obligations within six months, while other spices for oils and oleoresins retain a 12 month period.

Stakeholder consultation procedure established for seeking views on formulation or amendment of Foreign Trade Policy provisions.
Amendment incorporates Para 1.04(k) to prescribe that solicitation of views, suggestions, comments or feedback from importers, exporters and industry experts on formulation, amendment or incorporation of specific Foreign Trade Policy provisions shall follow the mode provided in Para 1.07A and that the Public Notice/Trade Notice seeking such inputs will specify the mode of receipt, as a trade facilitation measure with an option for the Central Government to consult stakeholders.