Advance Authorisation and DFIA rules updated: issuance, export correlation, norm changes, SCOMET clearance, and documentation relaxed.
Amendments permit Regional Authorities to issue Advance Authorisations where no SION or valid ad hoc norms exist or where additional inputs are self-declared; wastage stays subject to Norms Committee decisions. Exports/deemed exports made before authorisation may be accepted if shipping bills/tax invoices reference the EDI file or authorisation number and detail exempted materials. If norms change between filing and issuance, authorisations will be proportionate to provisional exports; SCOMET clearance is required before export of SCOMET items. Documentation rules allow manual BRCs and self-attested shipping bill copies where EDI verification is unavailable.

Authorized laboratory recognition expanded to include additional GIA branches for certification of diamonds under export procedures.
Two branches of the Gemological Institute of America are added to paragraph 4.74 of the Handbook of Procedures (2015-2020) as authorized laboratories for certification and grading of diamonds of 0.25 carat and above, by Public Notice No. 8/2015-2020 issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade under powers conferred by Paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020.

Import quota for pulses: allocation and application modalities set, with reporting obligations and an import completion deadline.
Prescribes the application and allocation regime for restricted imports of specified pulses: millers/refiners with own refining/processing capacity must apply online using ANF-2M with proof of capacity and fee; DGFT/EFC will allocate available annual quota among eligible applicants based on declared capacity and applied quantity, notify allocations on the stipulated date, require import completion by the prescribed deadline, and mandate weekly shipment arrival reports to DGFT and the Regional Authority. DGFT may amend or cancel the process and invite fresh applications.

MEIS rate applicability extended: enhanced export incentive rates continue beyond earlier terminal dates for eligible exports.
The amendments revise Appendix 3B wording so enhanced MEIS rates apply for exports from the original commencement date onwards, removing earlier terminal dates; corresponding clarification extends specified service export reward rates in the Appendix 3D annexure so that enhanced rates from the Mid Term Review continue beyond the previously stated cut-off.

Suspension of certain SIONs halts advance authorisations and revises import and export controls for precious metals.
The Director General of Foreign Trade suspends SIONs E75, E76, E77, E78, E100, E101 and E102 with immediate effect and prohibits issuance of Advance Authorisations under those SIONs; Appendix 4B is amended to publish the revised list of banks authorised to import gold and silver and nominated agencies under the FTP; Appendix 4J is corrected to set the import linked export obligation period for precious metal pertaining to the gems and jewellery sector and to restore the normal export obligation period for other precious metal imports.

Import quota for peas requires prior contracted importers to submit proof for allocation under amended import policy.
Importers who contracted for pea imports before the notification date and who have made advance payments or opened irrevocable letters of credit before 25.04.2018 must submit documentary evidence of contracted quantities and amounts paid by the stated deadline to designated DGFT email addresses so the Directorate can assess the remaining import balance and prescribe the subsequent allocation procedure.

Track and Trace system for pharmaceutical exports extended; exports require barcoded tertiary and secondary packaging and data upload.
Amendment to Para 2.90A mandates that drugs manufactured on or before 01.07.2019 are exempt from maintaining Parent Child relationship data for three packaging levels on the Central Portal, whereas drugs manufactured after 01.07.2019 may be exported only if tertiary and secondary packaging carry barcoding and the prescribed data is uploaded on the Central Portal; implementation of the Parent Child data maintenance and upload requirement is extended until 15.11.2018 for SSI and non SSI manufactured drugs.

Pre-inspection requirement for metallic scrap eased: PSIC waived for imports from safe countries via designated ports, subject to supplier certificate.
PSIC for metallic waste and scrap imports is dispensed for consignments from the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the EU when cleared through designated ports; such consignments must carry a supplier/scrap yard certificate confirming absence of radioactive materials and explosives and will undergo radiation and explosive screening via portal monitors and container scanners. Transshipments through those safe countries/regions are not eligible for this facilitation. Imports through other ports, including specified ports for unshredded scrap, remain subject to PSIC.

Designated port enlistment: Krishnapatnam added for scrap imports; scrap permitted only via listed designated ports.
Krishnapatnam Port is added to the list of designated ports in Para 2.54(d)(iv) of the Handbook of Procedures, 2015-20, reaffirming that import of scrap is permitted only through the enumerated designated ports and that no exceptions will be allowed, including for EOUs and SEZs.

Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme rate increase for listed handicrafts exports, applicable retrospectively to the specified export period.
Amendment increases the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) rate to 7 for specified ITC (HS) codes in Table 2 of Appendix 3B of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, harmonised with HS(2017), and applies the revised rates to exports made during the stated export period; handicrafts entries are included for enhanced benefit.

One-time condonation under EPCG Scheme extended to allow additional time for receipt of requests and applications.
The Director General of Foreign Trade has extended the period for receipt of requests for one-time condonation under the EPCG Scheme-covering block-wise extension of Export Obligation, extension of Export Obligation period, and relaxation for delayed installation certificate submission-invoking Paragraph 2.04 read with Paragraph 2.58 of the Foreign Trade Policy; all other provisions of the earlier Public Notices remain unchanged.

Eligibility of IT enabled services clarified: only Appendix 3D notified service categories may claim SEIS benefits irrespective of delivery mode.
Eligibility under SEIS is confined to service categories listed in Appendix 3D by CPC provisional codes; there is no separate IT/ITeS category, and delivery over an IT platform does not alter eligibility-only services expressly notified in Appendix 3D may be claimed under SEIS.

Revalidation of Advance Authorisation allowed under amended Para 2.20(d) when prescribed public notice conditions are met.
Regional Authorities may permit revalidation of Advance Authorisation/DFIA under the amended Para 2.20(d) of HBP 2015-20, even if the authorisation was issued under FTP 2009-14, provided the conditions specified in Public Notice 38 are fulfilled and the revalidation is exercised by the concerned Regional Authorities in accordance with those conditions.

EODC issuance camp enables exporters to obtain on spot decisions and close pending compliance cases quickly.
A camp is organised to expedite issuance of EODC certificates where exporters have applied and deficiency letters were issued; files, dealing staff and concerned officers will be present to enable on spot decisions and quick closure of pending EODC cases. A schedule in the Annexure sets the venue, session times and alphabet wise appearance slots for exporters.

Change in company constitution now includes director changes, triggering mandatory IEC modification within thirty days.
Change in constitution of a public limited company now encompasses changes in its directors and such director changes must be treated as constitution changes for IEC purposes; affected companies are directed to update their IEC records to reflect director changes and make necessary modifications within thirty days from the date of this trade notice.

Importer Exporter Code status facility launched to verify IEC transmission to customs and advise corrective steps to users.
An online facility allows applicants to check IEC application status and IEC transmission to ICEGATE using PAN and the first three letters of the firm name. The notice prescribes actions for four status outcomes: wait for Regional Authority processing when received; resubmit after rectifying deficiencies if rejected (no additional fee); await ICEGATE acceptance if transmitted but unaccepted; and use IEC only when registered at DGFT and accepted by ICEGATE. Applicants should check ICEGATE's enquiry module and report unresolved transmission problems to DGFT.

EODC monitoring system enables exporters to track Advance/EPCG EODC applications; RAs must record and respond to queries.
RAs must record and update EODC application statuses for Advance and EPCG authorisations on the DGFT EODC monitoring portal; all requests/replies submitted for EODC are considered pending until EODC is issued. Exporters can view case status and use a "Raise Query" facility to prompt RAs to enter or correct pending records. RAs shall verify queries, accept or reject them with reasons, and on acceptance update the status to EODC issued, Deficiency Letter issued, or maintain pending status until disposal.

Packaging restriction removal for roasted gram allows unrestricted export packaging, aligning roasted gram policy with pulses export liberalisation.
Export of roasted gram (whole or split) is no longer subject to the consumer-packaging restriction previously limiting exports to packs up to one kilogram; the packaging restriction imposed earlier is inapplicable following the removal of prohibition on all varieties of pulses, so roasted gram exports are now treated consistently with freely exportable pulses.

Port compliance extension: designated ports may import un shredded scrap until new deadline; failure triggers derecognition.
Designated sea ports are permitted to import un shredded scrap until the extended deadline provided they install and operationalize Radiation Portal Monitors and a Container Scanner within that period; ports failing to meet the extended deadline will be derecognised for imports of un shredded metallic scrap from the date following the deadline.

Late cut relaxation for raw sugar exports under DFIA permits delayed penalty imposition; white sugar exports allowed with FTP condition.
The Handbook of Procedures amendment applies late cut provisions in para 9.02 to DFIA imports generally, while providing a specific relaxation postponing imposition of late cut for exporters of raw sugar under the SION reference; it further states that white sugar exports under DFIA are allowed subject to the condition in amended para 4.25(c) of the Foreign Trade Policy.