Focus Product Scheme correction: FPS incentives allowed for 'Other Brakes and Servo Brakes' exports despite prior HS code mismatch.
The notice corrects the ITC(HS) code for "Other - Brakes and Servo Brakes and Part thereof" in Appendix 37D and provides that FPS incentives will be treated as valid for exports described as that item even if reported under the earlier incorrect HS code for shipments prior to the correction's issuance. From the correction onward, description and ITC(HS) code must match for incentive entitlement, and Regional Authorities must review and recover incentives wrongly granted where the description did not correspond.

Standard Input Output Norms notified for chemical exports, defining input allowances and export product SIONs under trade policy.
Notification of Standard Input Output Norms for specified chemical and allied export products under the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issues SION entries identifying export items and corresponding input materials and allowed quantities per export unit, to be applied as operative input-output standards for the listed pharmaceutical and injectable products.

GSP certificate authorization: Tobacco Board empowered to issue certificates for tobacco products under FTP framework.
An amendment to Appendix 2C of the FTP 2015-20 adds Tobacco Board, Guntur to the agencies authorised to issue GSP Certificate of Origin, thereby empowering the Tobacco Board to issue GSP certificates for tobacco and tobacco products under the Foreign Trade Policy.

No duplicate IEC issuance: rely on online verification and printed portal records instead of applying for duplicates.
There is no provision under the current Foreign Trade Policy for issuance of a duplicate Import Export Code certificate; users are advised not to apply for duplicate IECs if the original is lost or misplaced. Instead, stakeholders must rely on the DGFT online portal to verify IEC authenticity and may retain printed copies of the online record for transactional use, as the online database is the authoritative source for third party checks.

Import quota allocation under Indo Sri Lanka FTA now applies to each financial year, replacing single year aggregate.
Amendment replaces the aggregate quantity description in Annexure 1 of Appendix 2A from availability "during 2015 16" to availability "during each financial year," making Column 4 denote the annual aggregate quantity available for import under the Indo Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement for the specified ITC (HS) codes.

Standard Input Output Norms update: new norms for malted milk food exports set input composition and packaging rules.
SION E-133 establishes input output norms for "Malted Milk Food," specifying allowed input items and their quantities per 1.00 kg of export product, including malted barley/wheat flour, relevant milk products, optional cocoa components for chocolate flavour, cane sugar, permitted food additives approved for the export product, and packaging materials governed by the applicable packing material policy.

Online processing of SCOMET export applications requires prescribed document uploads; originals of end use certificates and entry bills still required.
Online processing of SCOMET export applications requires mandatory electronic filing with digital signature and uploading of prescribed documents-End Use cum End User Certificates from all supply chain entities, purchase orders, ANF 1 exporter profile, technical specifications, relevant contract excerpts, and prior authorization copies-so applications can be forwarded electronically to the inter ministerial working group. Only original End Use cum End User Certificates and copies of Bills of Entry for exports in the preceding year must still be submitted in hard copy.

Focus Product Scheme benefit applies to exports of finished dosage forms containing omeprazole or lansoprazole, treated separately.
Regional authorities are directed to grant Focus Product Scheme incentives for exports of finished dosage forms that use either Omeprazole or Lansoprazole as the active pharmaceutical ingredient, the Department of Pharmaceuticals having clarified the tariff entry covers the two distinct finished-dosage-form products rather than a combined formulated product.

Telephone contact protocol establishes designated board, principal and fax lines with specified attendant and transfer procedures.
An administrative telephone contact protocol designates a board line to be attended by an operator (with automatic transfer to the IE Code modifications extension if unattended) and a principal officer line to be attended by the personal assistant (with automatic transfer to the principal if unattended). One number is reserved exclusively for fax and will not accept voice calls; another is reserved for outgoing calls and a data link and will not answer incoming calls.

Mandatory online IEC filing requires digital signature and limited supporting documents; modifications demand prior registry updates.
IEC filing is shifted to a mandatory online process with digital signature; applicants must upload only PAN, a cancelled cheque or bank certificate showing the entity name, and a digital photograph meeting prescribed size and format limits. There will be no deficiency letters for online filings-applications with errors will be rejected and must be resubmitted. IEC status labels like "manufacturer exporter" do not automatically confer benefits; applicants seeking modification must first update Income Tax and ROC records and provide corroborative evidence along with the prescribed fee.

IEC documentation requirements: only PAN copy, bank certificate or pre printed cancelled cheque and applicant photograph required for applications.
Applicants for IEC must upload only a copy of the business PAN, either a cancelled cheque with the entity's pre printed name or a prescribed Bank Certificate, and the signatory applicant's photograph using the notified application format and checklist. Regional Authorities must accept manual applications only in the revised format, issue IECs per the checklist, process pending applications under old or new norms as appropriate, and allow applicants to furnish additional documents to meet the simplified requirements.

No routine hand delivery of documents: use electronic portal for status; postal delays addressed with local Speed Post providers.
No routine hand delivery of documents will be made except in urgent cases; applicants must use the e.com portal and their digital key to view generated deficiency and rejection letters rather than rely on physical collection. Local Speed Post should normally deliver next day and the office will engage postal authorities if delays persist. Online filing difficulties in Pune may be due to local internet congestion rather than central server faults; trade bodies should coordinate with Internet Service Providers and seek regulator assistance if needed.

Minimum Import Price requirement restricts iron and steel imports below the prescribed unit value and mandates LC registration.
Imports of iron and steel on or after 5 February 2016 must have a unit CIF/landed value equal to or above the specified Minimum Import Price; consignments below that value are restricted and cannot be cleared by paying duty on the MIP. Shipment date governs applicability, exemptions apply only to letters of credit entered before the Notification subject to Para 1.05(b) of the Foreign Trade Policy, and irrevocable letters of credit must be registered with the jurisdictional Regional Authority within 15 days.

Payment realisation from SEZ Foreign Currency Account - FCA-only requirement applies to newer FTP; earlier licences may allow INR realisation.
Closure and redemption of Advance Authorisation and DFIA licences where supplies to SEZ units resulted in payment realised in Indian Rupees may be allowed if the transaction conforms to the provisions of FTP 2009-14, since that regime did not require payment from the SEZ unit's Foreign Currency Account; licences issued under the subsequent FTP remain subject to the FCA realisation requirement for discharge of export obligation.

Manufacturer exporter status verification now requires independent proof to the relevant authority under public notice procedures.
The corrigendum removes the additional documentary requirement at S.L. No. 7 of Trade Notice No. 4/AM16 effective immediately to streamline IEC issuance and reduce transaction costs, while stipulating that any person or firm claiming manufacturer exporter status must independently prove that status to the relevant authority as required by sub clause (viii) of Public Notice No. 58.

Export permission for SCOMET items: authorised for stock-and-sale and spare parts subject to EUC and IMWG oversight.
Paragraph 2.79A permits export of SCOMET items from an Indian principal or wholly owned subsidiary to foreign subsidiaries, principal companies or warehouses for stock & sale after IMWG evaluation and on the basis of End User Certificates; further transfers require EUCs and prior submission to the licensing authority, with possible IMWG relaxation after Risk Assessment. Paragraph 2.79B allows IMWG to consider export permission for SCOMET spare parts together with the main equipment application if justified, avoiding a separate application and reducing transaction time and cost.

Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency re-enlistment restores two agencies in the Appendix, enabling their operation under FTP provisions.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, under paragraph 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20, re-enlists two Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies-M/s. Olivine Commercial Pte. Ltd. and Sandeep Garg & Company-in Appendix 2G at Sl. Nos. 36 and 37, specifying their areas of operation and contact details and placing the re-enlistment in immediate effect until the stated cutoff date.

Online-only IEC submission required; applicants must use personal email and upload prescribed documents for issuance.
All fresh Importer Exporter Code (IEC) applications must be filed online and manual applications will not be accepted after the prescribed cut-off; online applications generate electronic IECs automatically. Applicants must supply their own email for communications and upload documents as specified in the DGFT Notification, with Manufacturer Exporters required to submit Industrial License/IEM Part II and Service Providers required to submit Service Tax Registration Certificate in addition to the Notification-prescribed documents.

Foreign trade training program announced: online course on policy, procedures and finance with concession and application deadline.
DGFT, through the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, is offering an online Foreign Trade Training program covering product and market identification, Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, and procedural matters relating to DGFT, Customs, banks and trade finance; the program is fee-based with a concession for deserving candidates, applicants must contact the Office of the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade in Pune via the provided contact details and submit responses by the advertised deadline, and an introductory in-person session in Pune may be arranged if sufficient interest is shown.

Trade facilitation measures: Pune DGFT discontinues hand delivery and mandates dispatch by speed post; urgent cases require office ID.
The Pune Regional Office institutes a personal-contact-free procedure: hand delivery of all document categories at counters is discontinued and all correspondence, including authorizations and deficiency letters, will be dispatched by Speed Post; in cases of absolute necessity or urgency, exporters/importers may approach the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade in person on production of the office-issued ID card.