Import policy amendment adjusts HS classifications for cigarettes, iron ore grades, printed paper and metal scrap trade.
Amendments to ITC (HS) 2012 Schedule 1 revise import classification descriptions: Chapter 24 adjusts cigarette length thresholds for specified subheadings; Chapter 26 replaces broad iron ore entries with detailed sub items categorised by Fe content and specified unit/policy entries; Chapter 48 adds Note 13 preserving classification for certain printed paper intended for further printing or writing; and Chapters 74, 75, 76, 78 and 79 substitute and expand ISRI codeword listings and descriptions for various metal and scrap headings. The changes incorporate Budget 2012 amendments into the import policy.

Removal of Minimum Export Price permits basmati rice exports without MEP while existing export conditions remain applicable.
Deletion of the entry at Point (ii) in the "Nature of Restriction" column for Sl. No. 57, Chapter 10 of Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS) removes the Minimum Export Price requirement for basmati rice while leaving Point (i) and Points (iii)-(viii) in that column unchanged, thereby allowing basmati rice to be exported without any MEP subject to the remaining conditions in the Schedule.

Restrictions on Documents against Acceptance exports: D/A shipments barred unless covered by bank or export credit guarantee.
The notification amends Table A of Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS) by inserting entries for Handmade Woollen Carpets and Handicraft items and provides that exports shall not be permitted on the basis of Documents against Acceptance (D/A) unless such export is covered by a Bank Guarantee or ECGC Guarantee or is made to the exporter's own subsidiaries, own trading companies or own office cum warehouses.

Import prohibition on milk products extended to include chocolates and confections, restricting imports from China until further orders.
Prohibition on import of milk and milk products from China is extended under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and Foreign Trade Policy to cover milk and milk products including chocolates, chocolate products, candies, confectionery and food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient, continuing prior notification measures and remaining in force until 23.6.2013 or until further orders.

Minimum Export Price removal on onions allows exports without MEP while requiring daily quantity reports.
The Central Government amended the Foreign Trade Policy notification to remove the Minimum Export Price on onions with immediate effect, allowing export without any MEP, and required the 13 designated State/UT Export Authorities to send daily reports of registered export quantities to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade at the specified e mail address for monitoring.

Export liberalisation of skimmed milk powder now permitted under foreign trade policy; new tariff entry created and export freed.
The Foreign Trade Policy amendment bifurcates ITC HS entry 38 and creates entry 38.01 for Skimmed Milk Powder (HS 04021010), removing the previous prohibition and declaring export of Skimmed Milk Powder free with immediate effect.

Foreign Trade Policy update: revised FTP incorporated and made operative, reflecting notified amendments and Annual Supplement.
Notification updates and consolidates the Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014 by incorporating amendments and the Annual Supplement, and declares the revised edition operative from the stated commencement under statutory powers conferred by the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act.

Exemption for export of pulses to Maldives permits limited shipments through MMTC Ltd despite general prohibition.
Exemption permits limited export of pulses to the Republic of Maldives as a specific exception to an existing export prohibition under the Foreign Trade Policy, allocating quantitative volumes for two policy years and requiring export through a specified public trading agency, thereby creating a destination- and agency-specific carve-out while preserving the general ban.

Safeguard quantitative restrictions: procedure for investigating increased imports and recommending non discriminatory import limits to protect industry.
Imposition of safeguard quantitative restrictions is administered by a designated Authorised Officer who investigates alleged increased imports causing or threatening serious injury, evaluates evidence of increased imports, injury and causation, issues public notices, allows interested party participation subject to confidentiality, and recommends the nature, extent, allocation, duration and progressive liberalisation of quantitative restrictions to the Central Government for non discriminatory imposition.

Sugar export registration requirement: exporters must register quantities with DGFT; preferential quota exports routed through designated agency.
Ordinary sugar is made freely exportable subject to prior registration of export quantity with DGFT; preferential quota sugar to EU and USA must be exported through M/s. Indian Sugar Exim Corporation Limited within DGFT-notified quantitative ceilings. Pharmaceutical grade and specified specialty sugars are exempt from the registration requirement. Conditions for issuance of Registration Certificates will be issued separately. Export Licensing Note 1 of Chapter 17 ceases to apply to non-Advance Authorisation exports, making DGFT registration mandatory for those exports, while Advance Authorisation exports and the organic sugar note remain unaffected.

Export of onions permitted without minimum export price; designated exporters must report daily allocations to authorities.
Export of onions is permitted without a Minimum Export Price by amendment to the export notification, allowing exports immediately without MEP until further orders. Thirteen designated State Trading Enterprises must submit daily e-mail reports to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade specifying the applicant name, quantity allotted and the applicant's Import Export Code using the prescribed subject header.

Restriction on marble supplies: marble from EOUs won't count toward positive NFE, except for inter unit transfers.
Amendment excludes marble from supplies by EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP units that are counted for fulfillment of positive NFE, while retaining an exception where the marble supply is an inter unit transfer as provided in the paragraph.

Export permission for cotton eased for a public sector exporter while reporting obligations remain in force.
Permission is granted to The Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. to export cotton under the applicable Tariff Item HS codes for the 2011-12 season; specified conditions in earlier notifications relating to issuance of export authorizations will not apply to this exporter while the prescribed procedure for reporting in the earlier notification continues to apply.

Permission for registration of cotton export contracts allowed; RC issuance subject to designated authorities, procedural rules and quantity limits.
Permission is granted for registration of contracts for export of cotton under Tariff Item HS codes 5201 and 5203 by deleting the prior suspension, enabling further issuance of Registration Certificates (RCs) administered by designated Regional Authorities and governed by existing procedural rules, with quantity limits per RC and phased eligibility tied to demonstrated export performance.

Export licensing change: casein exports moved to restricted category, permitting exports under licence under the new policy.
Amendment substitutes the entry at Sl. No. 174, Chapter 35 of Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS) to classify casein, caseinates and other casein derivatives and casein glues as Restricted, permitting export only under licence; Export Licencing Note 1, Note 2 and Note 3 of Chapter 35 are abated, effecting a change from Prohibited to Restricted status with immediate effect.

Indian Trade Classification (HS) 2012 updates import/export regimes, designating Free/Restricted/Prohibited status and compliance rules.
Notification adopts ITC(HS), 2012, establishing item level import/export policy regimes by eight digit EXIM codes and indicating for each item whether import/export is Free, Restricted, Prohibited or via specified State Trading Enterprises, together with chapter level and item specific policy conditions (licence procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary permits, BIS certification, environmental controls, CITES/Wildlife protections, GMO approvals and reporting obligations).

Export permission for wheat products extended; limit retained and exports allowed only from Customs EDI ports.
Amendment extends the previously granted export permission for the aggregate quantity of specified wheat products and substitutes the earlier expiry date in the notification's table; all other conditions remain unchanged and exports continue to be permitted only from Customs EDI ports under the same export policy classification and unit limit.

Prohibition on pulse exports extended; limited exceptions for Kabuli Chana and certified organic pulses under conditions.
Prohibition on exports of Pulses is extended to 31 March 2013, but does not apply to Kabuli Chana or to limited exports of organic pulses and lentils which are conditionally permitted.

Export exemption for Assam Comilla Cotton continues subject to DGFT registration and 30-day Registration Certificate validity.
Exemption from export restriction is granted for Assam Comilla Cotton (ITC(HS) Code 5201 00 12) for the current cotton season up to 30.09.2012, limited to 5,000 bales and subject to DGFT registration. The existing Registration Certificate procedure under Policy Circular No. 29(RE-2010)/2009-14 remains applicable, except that exports against RCs must be completed within 30 days of issuance.

Deemed export ineligibility: supplies to non mega power projects no longer qualify for deemed export benefits under FTP.
An amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy inserts paragraph 8.7 making supplies to non mega power projects ineligible for Deemed Export benefits, notwithstanding any provision in the FTP or HBP Vol. I; supplies that had been eligible under Para 8.3(a) (Advance Authorisation and DFIA) are now excluded, with consequential changes to be reflected in chapter 8 and HBP Vol. I.