Import of pets as baggage restricted for residence transferees after prolonged foreign stay, subject to health certificate and quarantine examination.
Import of pet animals as baggage is limited to two animals for persons transferring residence after two years abroad under the Baggage Rules, subject to production of the required health certificate from the country of origin and examination by the Quarantine Officer; general animal imports continue to follow the foreign trade policy.

Transhipment bond registration enables automated container movement approvals and system-generated bond numbers for IGM processing.
Implementation of the ICES Version 1.5 Transhipment Module requires registration of continuity bonds-Transhipment Bond (TP), Transit Bond (TR), and Container Bond (CO)-and opening a PLA account in ICES 1.5. Bond verification by the ITP cell and acceptance by AC/DC (Transhipment) yields a system-generated ten-digit bond number to be quoted in the IGM. The SMTP portion of the IGM serves as the transhipment/CFS movement request, the system auto-generates approvals and messages, and manual approval via the ICES TP module is provided where automatic processing fails due to parameter, bond, or PLA deficiencies.

Customs container freight procedures require custodial bonding, segregated storage, sealing and Customs-supervised movement of import-export cargo.
Notification sets procedures for CICFS as customs-area custodian: duty to maintain bond, segregated storage for FCL/LCL/empty/seized/hazardous cargo, detailed registers and weekly/monthly reconciliations, and Customs-supervised de-stuffing, stuffing and sealing. Movement into and out of CICFS requires valid triplicate/transshipment permits, gate pass controls, seal verification, timely transit with condonation protocols for delays, separate handling of seized/detained goods, and statutory action for uncleared consignments. Export stuffing requires Shipping Bills, stacking endorsement, customs supervision for sealing, and export gate reconciliation.

Sale of Indian rupees against international cards allowed for authorised money changers, reimbursement via banking channels required.
Authorised Money Changers may sell Indian rupees to foreign tourists and visitors against International Credit Cards and International Debit Cards, provided they take prompt steps to obtain reimbursement through normal banking channels; all other instructions of the earlier related circular remain unchanged and the directions are issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

Bar-coding requirement on primary packaging deferred; implementation postponed to a later effective date under amended trade notice.
Deferment of the implementation date for mandatory bar-coding on Primary Level packaging for export consignments of pharmaceuticals and drugs. The DGFT, under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy, amends earlier public notices to postpone the effective commencement of the bar-coding requirement previously prescribed, thereby deferring the obligation on exporters to affix barcodes on primary packaging for tracing and tracking purposes.

Tariff rate quota allocation permits export of raw cane sugar to USA through designated exporter.
The Director General of Foreign Trade allocates a specified quantity of raw cane sugar from the non levy quota for export to the USA under the Tariff Rate Quota, designating M/s. Indian Sugar Exim Corporation Ltd as the exporter and maintaining existing procedural requirements for GSP and other certification for sugar exports to the USA.

Quality control order: import, storage and sale of substandard hot-dipped galvanized steel barred; electro-galvanized excluded.
IS:277 covers all hot-dipped galvanized sheets and strips unless specifically excluded; electro-galvanized sheets and strips are excluded. The Quality Control Order prohibits import, production, storage, sale and distribution of substandard hot-dipped galvanized sheets/coils, including seconds, secondary, defective or offcut material, because such items do not meet the technical requirements of the standard. Field formations must implement these clarifications and issue guidance to trade and officers.

Classification of Low Noise Block down converters as electrical amplifiers clarifies tariff treatment for import classification.
Applying the General Rules of Interpretation and the Section provision that parts of goods included in Chapters 84 or 85 are to be classified in their respective headings, separately presented Low Noise Block (LNB) down converters - whose principal function is high/intermediate frequency amplification and frequency conversion to VHF/UHF ranges - are properly classifiable as electrical appliances having an individual function, namely high or intermediate frequency amplifiers, and should be treated under the tariff subheading for such amplifiers.

Foreign Direct Investment rules define permitted sectors, entry routes and compliance obligations for foreign investors in India.
The Consolidated FDI Policy establishes a unified framework governing who may invest in India, permissible instruments and the methodology for counting direct and indirect foreign investments. It distinguishes the Automatic Route (no prior government approval) from the Government Route (prior approval required) and sets sectoral entry conditions, caps, minimum capitalisation/lock in requirements and national security safeguards for sensitive sectors. The Circular prescribes pricing/valuation rules, timelines for issuance after inward remittance, mandatory reporting (Forms FC GPR, FC TRS, annual returns), repatriation norms and enforcement measures under FEMA for violations.

Assessment of Form 2A/2B mismatch delegated to designated officers enabling default assessments and review of dealer records.
Designated Value Added Tax Officers are empowered to assess mismatches between Form 2A and Form 2B and to initiate default assessments and review those assessments for dealers in the wards or zones assigned to them; the order supersedes the prior direction and is administratively circulated with competent authority approval.

Registration procedure for VAT registration: online and manual processes set document requirements, verification and issuance timelines.
Lists mandatory enclosures for DVAT registration including DVAT-04, Form A, notarized security bond, court-fee stamps for registration fees, entity formation proof or partnership deed, proof of business possession, PAN of entity and principals, identity and bank proofs, photographs and ancillary items. For manual registration, applications are submitted to the front office for PAN listing and verification, assigned to Ward VATI for physical verification and original-document checks, and the Ward-in-Charge grants TIN or issues a deficiency memo within internal timelines to meet the e-SLA disposal period. Online registration requires PAN verification, portal submission, Ward VATI inspection, signed hardcopy collection, and post-approval dispatch of the registration certificate by registered post.

Reconciliation of export proceeds must not require in-person BRC submissions; commissioners to prevent avoidable procedural grievances.
The Board disapproves field practices that insist on in-person submission of BRCs/negative statements, repeated document requisitions, and mandatory personal hearings for exporters during duty drawback reconciliation, and directs Commissioners to prevent such grievances by issuing Standing Orders and supervising the reconciliation process to avoid unnecessary in-person appearances and duplicative demands.

Special Currency Basket valuation revised under FEMA; authorised dealer banks must apply and notify constituents accordingly.
AD Category I banks are notified that the Rupee value of the Special Currency Basket has been revised and that this revised valuation is effective from the stated effectivity date; banks are instructed to inform their constituents and the directions are issued under FEMA sections 10(4) and 11(1), without prejudice to other legal permissions or approvals.

Export obligation compliance for used clothing units: physical export required, DTA sales capped and strict verification enforced.
Regulation requires each imported consignment of used clothing to carry a licensed certificate of disinfection and fumigation and mandates pre clearance verification. Units must meet export obligations by physically exporting products made from imported used clothing; unrelated product broad banding is prohibited. DTA sales are limited to 50% of annual FOB export value, with un mutilated clothing from surplus or rejects capped at 15% of export value. All DTA bound consignments are subject to 100% on site scrutiny. After six years from grant of approval, units must export 100% of production. Environmental standards and compliance inform LoA renewals; these guidelines supersede prior instructions.

Priority clearance for perishable agricultural exports requires limited exam with same-day clearance and round-the-clock customs facilities.
Perishable agricultural goods exports must be given priority: avoid routine examination, inspect only on specific intelligence with prior Assistant/Deputy Commissioner permission, ensure same-day clearance and permit provisional release where allowed, and provide round-the-clock customs clearance at air cargo complexes.

Exchange Traded Derivatives: standardized product rules with stringent margining, collateral, exposure limits and surveillance requirements.
Consolidated SEBI master circular prescribes standardized product specifications and a uniform risk management framework for exchange traded derivatives: portfolio based initial margins covering 99% one day VaR using EWMA volatility, minimum margin floors, calendar spread and short option minimum charges, extreme loss margins, real time application of scenario values, defined liquid assets and haircuts, limits on bank and issuer exposures, client fund segregation, cross margining rules, and mandatory surveillance, position limits, reporting and eligibility requirements for exchanges, clearing corporations and members.

Debt limit rationalisation consolidates government and corporate debt caps, shifts corporate allocation to on tap system with initial free allocation.
The circular consolidates FII/QFI debt categories into two caps-Government Debt and Corporate Debt-with specified subcaps for Treasury Bills and Commercial Paper. Corporate Debt allocation shifts from auction to an on tap system; FIIs may invest without purchasing limits until a pre allocation threshold is reached, after which auctions allocate remaining limits. Reinvestment restrictions do not apply to Corporate Debt while limits are on tap, and utilisation periods for auctioned allocations remain applicable. Depositories will provide daily monitoring and dissemination of debt utilisation; custodians must supply daily data. The circular is effective immediately.

Area-based exemption eligibility requires merged adjoining plots to form one unit; separate distant plots constitute independent units.
Defines "adjacent" for area-based exemption as a plot sharing at least one common boundary that is merged with the existing plot to form one unit; such merged expansions continue to enjoy the residual exemption period. Use of a plot not immediately adjoining the existing plot is treated as establishing a separate unit, with exemption eligibility assessed independently.

Foreign investment limits in government and corporate debt simplified, merging sub-limits and clarifying eligible investor categories and instrument caps.
The circular merges existing sub-limits into two unified ceilings: a Government Debt limit of USD 25 billion for SEBI-registered FIIs, QFIs and long-term investors (with a USD 5.5 billion cap on treasury bills), and a Corporate Debt Limit of USD 51 billion for the same investor classes (with a USD 3.5 billion cap on commercial paper). Non-Resident Indians remain regulated under existing guidelines. These measures take effect from April 1, 2013, with SEBI to issue operational guidelines and RBI amending FEMA regulations accordingly.

Line of Credit terms for export finance set sourcing, disbursement timelines, documentation, and agency commission restrictions.
Exim Bank's Line of Credit to Benin finances eligible Indian goods, services, machinery and consultancy for a tractor assembly and farm equipment plant; at least 75 percent of contract value must be supplied from India and up to 25 percent may be procured abroad. The Credit Agreement is effective from February 28, 2013 (execution date August 23, 2012). Letters of Credit and disbursements must comply with prescribed timelines (48 months from project completion for project exports; 72 months from agreement execution for supply contracts). Shipments require GR/SDF declaration. No agency commission is payable; remittances for commission may be made from exporter resources or EEFC balances subject to realisation and AD Category-I bank compliance. Directions issued under FEMA sections 10(4) and 11(1).