Deemed export benefits: non-mega power projects eligible only for Advance Authorisation benefits; mega projects retain broader eligibility.
Paragraph 8.4.4(iv) of the FTP is amended so suppliers to non-mega power projects are entitled to deemed export benefits only under paragraph 8.3(a) (Advance Authorisation/Advance Authorisation for annual requirement/DFIA). Supply of capital goods and spares up to 10% FOR value to power projects is eligible for deemed export benefits where ICB was followed at IPP/EPC stage; ICB is not mandatory for mega projects if power is tied up or awarded through tariff based competitive bidding. Deemed export benefits also apply to renovation, modernization and eligible mega project setup/expansion subject to Customs Notification thresholds.

Prohibition on import of milk and milk products from China extended until 24.6.2012 or until further orders.
Prohibition on import of milk and milk products from China is extended by administrative notification under the Foreign Trade Act and Foreign Trade Policy; the ban covers milk and milk products including chocolates, chocolate products, candies, confectionery and food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient, and continues until the notification's stated expiry or until further orders.

Export controls on empty gelatin capsules to EU require CAPEXIL shipment clearance and a joint post shipment health certificate.
Export of empty gelatin capsules to the EU is permitted when produced from animal by products, subject to a consignment wise Shipment Clearance Certificate issued by CAPEXIL with exporter, plant, product and shipping details, and a post shipment consignment wise Health Certificate issued jointly by CAPEXIL and the Regional Animal Quarantine Officer detailing vessel, shipping bill and production process as required by EC regulations.

APEDA registration compliance deferred; exporters given transitional period to source meat from registered abattoirs for exports.
The amendment defers the exclusive sourcing requirement in Note-6 of Notification No. 82, which mandates exporters to attach a declaration and copies of valid APEDA Plant Registration Certificate(s) and to source meat and meat products only from APEDA registered integrated abattoirs or APEDA registered meat processing plants that source raw material exclusively from APEDA registered integrated abattoirs/abattoirs; this requirement will take effect on 15th June, 2012, while other provisions of Notification No. 82 remain effective from the original notification date.

Export permission for non basmati rice to Horn of Africa granted from Central Pool, at specified economic cost.
Amendment inserts sub para 2.3 into Notification No. 71 (RE 2010)/2009 14 permitting export of 10,000 tons of non basmati rice to Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti from Central Pool stock at an economic cost of Rs. 20,689.50 per ton, thereby creating a specific, immediate authorization modifying earlier notifications.

Export exemption to Bhutan preserves trade in specified food commodities despite domestic export bans, subject to annual limits.
The Central Government, acting under the Foreign Trade Act and the Foreign Trade Policy, exempts milk powder, wheat, edible oils, pulses and non basmati rice from domestic export bans when exported to Bhutan, subject to prescribed annual quantity limits for each commodity; exports to Bhutan within those limits are therefore not subject to such bans.

Minimum Export Price policy updated: lowered export floor for onions, with exceptions for Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram varieties.
The notification amends the Foreign Trade Policy by revising the Minimum Export Price (MEP) for onions, replacing previously notified MEP figures for specified schedule entries and setting a uniform MEP for all varieties except two named cultivars, which have a separate MEP; the changes take immediate effect under Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and para 2.1 of the FTP 2009-2014.

Minimum Export Price controls for onions revised, reducing prescribed FOB export rates for general and specified varieties.
The Central Government amended export-price restrictions for onions under the Foreign Trade Policy by reducing the prescribed Minimum Export Prices for specified serial entries: a revised MEP for the general onion category and a separate revised MEP for Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram varieties, each substituting earlier notified F.O.B. rates and remaining subject to further notification by the trade authority.

Status Holders Incentive Scrip eligibility extended to exports made during 2012-2013 under amended FTP provision.
An amendment to Para 3.16.1 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014 provides that Status Holders shall be eligible for the Status Holders Incentive Scrip on exports made during the 2012-2013 policy year, the change being issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade under authority conferred to modify the FTP.

Export exemption for pre-ban casein permits limited shipments under Foreign Trade Policy, subject to allocated exporter quantities.
The Central Government authorizes a limited relaxation under the Foreign Trade Policy permitting export of casein and casein products manufactured on or before the ban date, restricted to an aggregate ceiling of 1053.625 MTs. This exception applies only to stock produced prior to the prohibition; names of eligible exporters and their allotted quantities will be communicated separately, and only the specified pre-ban quantities may be exported under the relaxation.

Export controls on meat require APEDA registration and designated veterinary certification before shipment.
Amendment replaces Chapter 2 of ITC(HS) setting export classifications and policies for meat and offal; it mandates quality control, inspection and pre-shipment inspection under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, allows testing in APEDA-recognized or agency-approved laboratories under the supervision of the designated veterinary authority, and conditions certain exports on APEDA registration and veterinary certification.

Rough marble imports: balance quota allocation requires email and hard-copy submissions by specified deadlines 2011-12.
Allocation of the remaining import quota for rough marble blocks follows Notification No. 64 (4 Aug 2011) with the same eligibility criteria; applicants previously allocated or rejected by Regional Authorities and those in DEL are ineligible. Email applications in the prescribed format must be received between 1000 hours on 24 October 2011 and 1700 hours on 28 October 2011; hard-copy applications and supporting documents must be submitted to DGFT HQ at Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi by 1700 hours on 28 October 2011. Other conditions of Notification No. 64 remain unchanged.

Import of radioimmunoassay kits permitted as free import provided prior permission from the atomic regulator is obtained.
The notification amends ITC(HS) Exim Code 2844 40 00 to state that, although items under the heading remain restricted under the Atomic Energy Act, Radioimmunoassay kits for diagnosis in humans or animals are classified as Free for import, subject to prior regulatory permission from the atomic energy regulator, thereby removing the need for DGFT import authorization for these kits.

Additional duty credit scrip entitlement granted for exports to notified countries and designated focus products during specified periods.
New sub paragraphs to Paras 3.14.2 and 3.15.2 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14 grant an additional duty credit scrip equal to 1% of FOB value (in free foreign exchange) for exports: products to notified countries in Table 3 of Appendix 37C for exports from 01.04.2011, and focus products in Table 8 of Appendix 37D for exports from 01.10.2011 until 31.03.2012, as targeted export incentives under the FTP.

Export liberalisation of cotton waste permits free export and removes prior contract registration requirement under export policy.
The ITC(HS) classification entry for cotton waste, including yarn waste and garnetted stock, is amended to make such exports free and to remove the requirement to register export contracts, effective from 1 October 2011.

Export ban on edible oils extended; branded consumer-pack exports and specified exemptions remain permitted under trade policy.
The export prohibition on edible oils is extended up to 30.09.2012 under powers conferred by the Foreign Trade Act, while pre-existing exemptions remain operative. Exemptions include castor oil, coconut oil from Cochin Port, deemed exports to 100% EOUs for non-edible production, oils from minor forest produce (specified ITC(HS) codes), and organic edible oils. Additionally, export of edible oils in branded consumer packs up to 5 kg is permitted from Custom EDI Ports for the stated period, subject to an overall quantity ceiling and unchanged packing and port conditions.

Export of non-Basmati rice now permitted under Food Aid Programme and under bilateral trade agreement with Maldives.
The Central Government amended a prior notification to permit export of non-Basmati rice by Public Sector Undertakings and other government organizations under the Food Aid Programme, and to permit export of non-Basmati rice under the bilateral trade agreement with the Maldives, effective immediately.

Export of onions permitted subject to Minimum Export Price and specific variety conditions under amended foreign trade policy.
Exports of onions are permitted with product classification under Chapter 7: onions in powder form are free, while other onion exports are subject to Special Tariff Entries and Minimum Export Price conditions, with higher MEPs for specified varieties; the prior prohibition is withdrawn and the notification amends previous export restrictions.

Export policy for cotton: exports free subject to prior contract registration; performance bank guarantee requirement removed.
Exports of raw and carded/combed cotton are permitted free subject to prior registration of contracts with the DGFT; the existing Registration Certificate, validity and reporting procedures continue to apply but the previously required performance bank guarantee is no longer required.

Export ban on onions temporarily imposed, allowing transitional shipments under Foreign Trade Policy with minimum export price conditions.
The Central Government imposes an immediate prohibition on the export of whole onions while allowing exports of onion powder; certain varieties are placed under Special Trade Entity control and subject to a Minimum Export Price, and transitional arrangements under para 1.5 of the Foreign Trade Policy are permitted.