Permanent Trade Facilitation Committees strengthen customs clearance through fortnightly consultation, grievance monitoring, stakeholder coordination and escalation mechanisms.
Permanent Trade Facilitation Committees at each Customs station must meet fortnightly with expanded representation from Customs, trade participants, DGFT, custodians, partner government agencies, shipping lines, logistics providers, trade councils and Customs Brokers. They monitor clearance timelines, address bottlenecks and trade grievances, oversee TSKs, AEM and the ICEGATE helpdesk, and escalate unresolved matters to NACs. A Single Point of Contact must support coordinated clearance, while local issues are to be discussed with relevant agencies and trade bodies.

Faceless assessment compliance requires complete Bill of Entry documentation, clear product particulars and specific query responses for faster clearance.
Faceless assessment requires complete and properly linked e-Sanchit uploads with the Bill of Entry to support correct self-assessment, classification, valuation and duty claims. Importers should provide clear goods descriptions, technical particulars, catalogues, end-use information, value documents and manufacturer details where relevant. Exemption claims must be supported by documents demonstrating compliance with applicable conditions. Required registrations, certificates, licences and import-monitoring information should be completed before filing. Query responses must be specific and exhaustive, while provisional assessment requests must state the reason. Additional documents may be required depending on the goods and assessment needs.

Diamond Imprest Authorisation requires Mumbai-only trade, physical exports 0.25 carat, 10% value addition and customs security requirements.
Diamond Imprest Authorisation (DIA) provisions require online application in ANF 4J; imports/exports only via Mumbai Airport; exports to discharge obligation must be physical Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds 1/4 carat with no one-to-one correlation required; minimum 10% value addition realised in Freely Convertible Currency; Para 2.52(d) not applicable; deemed exports prohibited. Before customs clearance, holder must execute a Bond equal to export obligation and a performance Bank Guarantee equivalent to duty foregone. DIA validity 12 months, export obligation 18 months, one authorisation per IEC per year; fulfilment filed in ANF 4K; default regularised by duty with interest and 1% FOB shortfall payment.

Extension of KYC filing deadline allows DIR-3-KYC and DIR-3-KYC-WEB to be filed without fee.
The Ministry permits submission of e-form DIR-3-KYC and web-form DIR-3-KYC-WEB without payment of the filing fee for filings made up to 31st October, 2025, extending the compliance period and continuing relief from General Circular No. 04/2025, with approval of the Competent Authority.

Single unified electronic customs bond enables nationwide digital bonding, linked bank guarantees, and replacement of transaction-specific manual bonds.
Single Unified Multi-Purpose Electronic Bond (SEB) under "Ekal Anubandh" permits importers and exporters to use one all-India electronic bond instead of transaction-wise bonds across ports. Users may choose and later add obligations or bond amounts through ICEGATE. Electronic execution includes digital stamp-duty payment, electronic signing without notarisation, online linking of electronic bank guarantees, and bank verification. Manual bonds and bank guarantees for specified purposes cease acceptance from 31 October 2025, subject to exceptional prior approval, while existing paper-based bonds continue until validity expires.

Electronic CSD GST refunds require validated supplier filings, quarterly claims, invoice checks, and reversal of related input tax credit.
CSD must file section 55 refund claims electronically in FORM GST RFD-10A for qualifying inward goods supplied onward to Unit Run Canteens or authorised customers. Claims may be quarterly or combined for multiple quarters, must be filed within two years from the relevant quarter, and require supplier-reported invoices, supplier return compliance, an undertaking on intended use, and a no-prior-refund declaration. Portal validation limits the claim to fifty per cent of eligible tax and prevents enhancement of auto-populated amounts. The proper officer verifies compliance, invoice eligibility, and reversal of related input tax credit before issuing FORM GST RFD-06.

Additional IGST refund claims after export price increases must be filed electronically with evidence of revised consideration.
Refund of additional IGST paid after an upward revision of export-goods price must be claimed electronically in FORM GST RFD-01 and is processed by the jurisdictional GST officer under rule 89. Pending a separate portal category, the claim is filed under "Any other" with specified remarks, statements 9A and 9B, and supporting evidence. Eligibility requires proof of revised contractual price, payment of additional IGST and interest, reporting in GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, and receipt of corresponding additional foreign exchange remittance.

Related-party loan processing remains outside GST where consideration consists solely of exempt interest or discount.
Loans, credit or advances provided between related parties constitute a supply even without consideration, but extending loans is exempt where consideration consists solely of interest or discount. Separate processing fees, administrative charges, service fees or loan-granting charges are taxable consideration for loan-processing, facilitation or administration services. Where related-party lending involves no charge other than interest or discount, no processing or administration service may be deemed merely due to the relationship, and open-market-value valuation does not apply. Additional charges over interest or discount remain taxable.

Input tax credit on reimbursed vehicle repairs remains available to insurers when invoices name them and claims are approved.
Input tax credit on motor vehicle repair services is available to an insurer settling claims through reimbursement where the garage invoice is issued in the insurer's name and the insurer reimburses the approved repair cost. The insurer is treated as the recipient to the extent of its approved payment liability, notwithstanding that the insured initially pays the garage. Where repair costs exceed the approved claim amount, credit is limited to the amount reimbursed by the insurer. Credit is unavailable if the repair invoice is not issued in the insurer's name.

Extended warranty GST classification distinguishes composite goods supplies from independently supplied assurance services and warranty replenishment mechanisms.
Warranty replacement treatment extends to replacement of defective goods as well as parts. Where a distributor replaces goods or parts from its own stock under warranty on behalf of the manufacturer and receives replenishment through a delivery challan without separate consideration, no GST is payable on replenishment and the manufacturer need not reverse input tax credit. Extended warranty is part of a composite supply only when supplied with goods by the same supplier; warranties supplied by another person or after the original supply are separate taxable supplies of services.

Related Party Transactions: new tiered disclosure rules impose Annexure-13A disclosures below specified turnover and monetary thresholds.
Listed entities must supply audit committees and shareholders the Industry Standards' specified information for RPT approvals; however, transactions not exceeding the lower of 1% of annual consolidated turnover or Rs. Ten Crore shall provide the streamlined disclosures in Annexure-13A, and transactions not exceeding Rs. One Crore (individually or aggregated in a financial year) are exempt from these requirements. Annexure-13A lists required details including transaction terms, related party identity, tenure, value, turnover percentages, funding/indebtedness particulars for loans, justification of interest, and any valuation reports.

Look Out Circulars (LOC) now processed through an online portal; designated nodal offices manage access and implementation.
Look Out Circulars (LOC) are to be processed exclusively through an Online LOC Portal effective 1 March 2024; prior routing by letters or emails is discontinued. Designation-based login credentials for nodal officers will be created by specified central offices, which are responsible for user creation, coordination, procedural guidance, and overall implementation for their respective field formations. Field formations must coordinate with their designated office for access and report portal difficulties to the Board via the nodal offices.

Postal import GST reduction applies lower IGST to eligible personal-use consignments, alongside revised duty calculations and clearance documentation requirements.
Postal imports for personal use under CTH 9804, where not prohibited, are subject to reduced 18% GST from 22 September 2025. Personal imports involving a monetary transaction attract 10% basic customs duty, social welfare surcharge on that duty, and 18% IGST; gift imports attract 20% basic customs duty, the surcharge, and 18% IGST. IGST is calculated on CIF value plus basic customs duty and social welfare surcharge. Import clearance requires prescribed KYC and supporting documents, while export clearance requires commodity-specific documentation.

GST circular withdrawal: procedure for providing evidence of compliance under Section 15(3)(b)(ii) is no longer required.
The Central Board has withdrawn a prior circular that prescribed a procedure for suppliers to provide evidence of compliance with Section 15(3)(b)(ii); that procedural requirement is no longer required. The Goa Commissioner directs that the Central circular apply mutatis mutandis under the Goa GST Act, withdraws the State circular on the subject, attaches the Central circular as an annexure, and requests trade notices and reports of any implementation difficulties.

Post-sale discounts clarified: when they constitute consideration for downstream supplies and how GST applies.
Clarifies that issuance of financial/commercial credit notes does not reduce the supplier's original transaction value or tax liability, so recipients need not reverse Input Tax Credit tied to such discounts. Post sale discounts from manufacturers to dealers generally reduce the dealer's sale price and are not consideration for the dealer's supply to end customers unless the manufacturer has an agreement with the end customer; in that case the discount forms part of overall consideration. Separate promotional or marketing activities carried out by dealers are taxable only when expressly agreed as distinct services with defined consideration.

SION notification enables direct issuance of Advance Authorisations by regional authorities for mobile phones and inputs, expediting clearance.
Fixation of a new Standard Input Output Norms (SION) entry C-2049 for export item Mobile Phones under Engineering & Electronic Items lists permitted import inputs and their quantity treatment as either Net-to-Net or Net + 1%, covering a comprehensive catalogue of components and subassemblies. Regional Authorities are authorised to issue Advance Authorisations under this SION directly without referring individual cases to the Norms Committee, providing operational clarity for application of the norm under Paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

Modification of SION C888 removes "Circular" from the export description for stainless steel washers, effective immediately.
The corrigendum to Public Notice No. 05/25 amends the export description for SION C888 by removing the word "Circular", changing "Small and large-size Circular Stainless Steel washers of different grades" to "Small and large-size Stainless Steel washers of different grades," issued under Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 with immediate effect.

Selection of Special Public Prosecutors for CBIC: applications from advocates with ten years' practice due Oct 25.
Applications are sought for appointment as Special Public Prosecutors for CBIC matters; applicants must be registered advocates with Karnataka State Bar Council with at least ten years' practice. Submit Proforma-A with supporting documentary proof of qualifications, enrolment, case experience, publications and income by October 25, 2025; interviews are scheduled for October 29, 2025. Initial appointments may be renewed after an annual performance assessment contingent on recommendations from the relevant Commissioner or ADG.

GST treatment of post-sale discounts clarified for input tax credit, dealer incentives, and promotional service transactions.
Clarification is issued on the GST treatment of secondary or post-sale discounts. Where financial or commercial credit notes do not reduce the original transaction value, the recipient need not reverse input tax credit. Post-sale discounts to dealers are not consideration for onward supply or for promotional activities unless there is a specific agreement creating a distinct service or an inducement linked to supply at an agreed discounted price.