Import prohibition on milk products from China extended until 23 June 2017 or until further orders.
Prohibition on import of milk and milk products from China is extended for one year by amending ITC (HS) Schedule I import policy; the ban covers milk and milk products, including chocolates, chocolate products, candies, confectionary and food preparations with milk or milk solids, and remains effective until 23 June 2017 or until further orders.

Additional import quota for rough marble and travertine blocks authorised, with revalidation and capped validity until 30 September.
Additional import quota of 25% for Rough Marble and Travertine Blocks is authorised as an interim measure; holders of import authorisations under Trade Notice No. 12/2014 must apply to the DGFT Regional Authority by 15 July 2016 with Appendix 4D and fees for amendment and revalidation. Regional Authorities shall increase each authorisation's quantity by 25% and revalidate up to 30 September 2016 within ten days; the additional quota will not be extended beyond 30 September 2016.

Permission to operate air transport services now triggers aviation import permission and exempts holders from DGFT licence requirement.
The revision ties import permission for aircraft and helicopters to an initial authorization to operate scheduled or non scheduled air transport services provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, upon which the aviation regulator issues import permission, and clarifies that such persons need not obtain a separate foreign trade licence for import.

Actual User import permission for newsprint allowed without licence on RNI registration, subject to documentary authentication at import.
Import of goods under Exim Code 4801 is permitted without an import licence for Actual Users holding RNI Registration Certificate, on submission of RNI-authenticated documentary evidence to Customs at the time of import; importers must also submit an annual audited statement to the RNI by 30th April reflecting newsprint consumption and imports for the preceding licensing year in prescribed format.

Export of edible oils: rice bran oil in bulk exempted; branded consumer packs permitted under minimum export price.
The amendment permits export of Rice Bran oil in bulk irrespective of pack size, exempting it from the prohibition on edible oil exports, and allows export of other edible oils only in branded consumer packs up to five kilograms subject to a Minimum Export Price, effected by amendment to the relevant foreign trade notification with immediate effect.

Import policy change: Radio remote control apparatus now free for import subject to WPC licence requirement.
Import policy for radio remote control apparatus under Exim Code 85269200 is amended from Restricted to Free, permitting importation only against a licence issued by the WPC wing of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Export Obligation under EPCG: rupee term payments for specified services now count toward discharge under amended Appendix.
Paragraph 5.04(h) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 is amended to state that payment received in rupee terms for services notified in Appendix 5D shall be counted towards discharge of export obligation under the EPCG scheme; a new Appendix 5D lists the services whose rupee receipts qualify for fulfilment of the export obligation.

Status holder recognition period extended to include three financial years for most exporters, gems and jewellery unchanged.
Amendment extends the export performance measurement for status holder recognition from the current and previous two financial years to the current and previous three financial years for all exporters with an IEC, while preserving the two-year measurement period for the Gems and Jewellery sector; export performance is counted on the basis of FOB export earnings in free foreign exchange.

Export control of SCOMET items tightened by amendments expanding nuclear, dual use, machine tool and laser controls.
The notification substitutes and expands SCOMET Categories 0, 3 and 4: Category 0 is redefined to list nuclear related prescribed substances and prescribed equipment with licensing by the Department of Atomic Energy and specified thresholds and exclusions; Category 3 revises metal, alloy and explosive entries and adds technology controls; Category 4 is rewritten to control a broad range of precision machinery, test equipment, furnaces, lasers, isotope separation and handling equipment, and associated technology and software, thereby tightening export licensing controls under the Foreign Trade Act.

Import conditions for dogs: allowed only for pet ownership, CPCSEA recommended research, and internal security use.
Import of dogs is permitted only as a pet with a valid pet book and supporting records in the importer's name; for R&D organisations conducting research with a CPCSEA recommendation; and for internal security use by defence and police forces. Importation of dogs for commercial breeding or other commercial activities not so permitted is prohibited.

E-commerce definition clarified for MEIS exports requiring website-hosted goods, courier/postal dispatch and international card payments.
The notification inserts paragraph 9.17A defining e-commerce for MEIS as the export of goods hosted on an internet-accessible website to a purchaser, with dispatch by courier or postal mode under MEIS and payment effected through international credit/debit cards in accordance with the Reserve Bank circular.

Export certification requirement for betel leaves: EU-bound shipments require registration with designated competent authority before shipment.
Exports of betel leaves (HS 14049040) are classified as free in Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Classification, but export to the European Union is permitted only if the exporter is registered with APEDA, the designated competent authority, making registration a precondition to EU export eligibility under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Export restriction exception for roasted gram in consumer packs permitted under amended export policy notification
The export prohibition on pulses is modified to exclude Roasted Gram (whole/split) in consumer retail packs, permitting its export under an amended proviso to the existing notifications and the ITC(HS) Classification, effective immediately under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Export procedure deferment: sesame seed export rules to the EU postponed, new commencement date specified by government.
Amendment to Notification No. 37/2015-20 defers the commencement of the procedure for export of sesame seeds to European Union countries by amending "with immediate effect" to read "with effect from 10.03.2016", so that the procedural conditions and compliance obligations will apply only from that specified date.

Minimum Import Price on iron and steel imports introduced; specific exemptions for advance authorisations and API-grade pipeline steel apply.
Introduction of a Minimum Import Price on 173 HS codes under Chapter 72, Schedule I (Import Policy), establishing CIF-basis floor prices for listed iron and steel products as set out in the Annex. Exemptions apply for imports under the Advance Authorisation Scheme, API-grade steels used for pipeline manufacture (X-52 and higher), and shipments under Letters of Credit entered prior to the notification, all subject to the Foreign Trade Policy provision. The MIP regime is time-limited to six months from notification or until further orders.

Export certification requirement: IOPEPC-issued COE and Salmonella testing now govern sesame seed exports to the EU.
Exports of sesame seeds to EU are permitted only if IOPEPC, designated as competent authority, issues a Certificate of Export based on a NABL-accredited laboratory test certifying absence of Salmonella conducted per EN/ISO 6579 and sampling rules under EC 2073/2005 and CAC/GL50-2004. FBOs must register with IOPEPC, comply with FSSAI and EC 852/2004 hygiene and GMP requirements, affix traceable labels, facilitate supervised stuffing and shifting, and follow IOPEPC procedures for RASFF handling, corrective measures and record-keeping; COE is issued within 48 hours and is valid for thirty days from the lab report.

Import compliance requirement for motorcycles: EC Type Approval and Euro IV emission conformity required for authorized imports going forward.
Imports of new motorcycles of 800 cc or more are exempt from Sl. No. (2)(II)(c) provided an EC Type Approval/Certificate of Conformity from an accredited EU agency, with notarized English translation, is furnished at Customs; the Type Approval must confirm compliance with EU Directive 168/2013/EU and EURO IV emission norms with testing under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No.134/2014. EURO III compliant motorcycles remain exempt until 31 March 2017 subject to similar EC Type Approval requirements under directives listed in EU Directive 2002/24/EC.

EPCG Scheme restriction bars import of capital goods for power generation or transmission, including captive power supply.
Amendment to Para 5.01(g) of FTP 2015-2020 provides that authorization under the EPCG Scheme shall not be issued for import of any capital goods for generation or transmission of power, including captive plants and power generator sets; it further clarifies that this prohibition includes supply of power (energy) in their own unit.

Importer-Exporter Code documentation streamlined: only photo, PAN and bank proof; online filing via digital signature required.
Amendment to the Importer-Exporter Code requires only three uploads with immediate effect: digital photograph of signatory, copy of the business entity's PAN (or proprietor's PAN), and a cancelled cheque bearing the entity's pre-printed name or bank certificate in ANF-2A(I). Additionally, only online IEC applications and modifications will be accepted using Class-II or Class-III digital signatures from the specified commencement date.

Import restriction on natural rubber under Advance Authorisations bars imports for authorisations issued or revalidated during the suspension period.
Amendment to paragraph 4.18 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 inserts a subparagraph prohibiting import of natural rubber under Advance Authorisations issued or revalidated on or after 21 January 2016; the import facility under such Advance Authorisations is unavailable with immediate effect up to 31 March 2016.