Import licensing for marble now requires compliance with specified policy circulars under foreign trade law.
The Import Licensing Note at the end of Chapter 25 of Schedule I (Imports) to the ITC(HS) Classifications is amended to provide that import of marble is subject to the conditions laid down in the specified Policy Circulars, as promulgated under the authority of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and the Foreign Trade Policy.

Export Policy extension for Muli Bamboo permits continued free export under amended ITC(HS) classification until notified period.
The Export Policy entry for S.No. 66 in Chapter 14 of Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS) classifications is amended to read that the item is Free for export until the subsequently notified terminal date, replacing the earlier terminal date; correspondingly, Note No. 2 in Chapter 44 is amended to state that Muli Bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) is freely exportable up to that extended terminal date and refers to Chapter 14 for details.

Export prohibition on edible oils relaxed; exemptions include castor, coconut via Kochi, minor forest oils and deemed exports for processing.
Notification relaxes the export prohibition on edible oils by substituting Paragraph 1.1 to grant specific exemptions: export of Castor Oil; export of Coconut Oil through Kochi Port; deemed exports to 100% EOUs where the final product is non-edible; export of oils produced from minor forest produce as per listed HS codes; and export from the Domestic Tariff Area to SEZs for consumption in manufacture of processed food products. The substitution is effected under the Foreign Trade Act and Policy and issued in public interest.

Export conditions for seed-quality cereals require trader authorization, chemical-treatment declaration, and mandatory insecticide labeling.
Amendments make seed-quality Non-Basmati rice (HS 10061010) and maize (HS 10051000) freely exportable subject to submission at Customs of (i) evidence of authorised seed-trader status (dealer licence or State Seed certifying agency registration), (ii) a declaration that consignments are chemically treated and not fit for human consumption, and (iii) labeling on export packets stating seeds are treated with chemical insecticides and cannot be used for food or feed.

Benefit allocation under VKGUY FMS FPS: entitlement may be claimed by supporting manufacturer or exporter who realized foreign exchange.
Under VKGUY, FMS and FPS, entitlement to scheme benefits may be claimed either by the supporting manufacturer (with a disclaimer from the company or firm that directly realized the foreign exchange) or by the company or firm that directly realized the foreign exchange, by insertion at the end of paragraph 3.12.8 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009.

Prohibition on rough diamond trade: imports and exports involving Venezuela barred due to withdrawal from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
The Central Government amends the Foreign Trade Policy to prohibit imports and exports of rough diamonds (HS Codes 7102.10, 7102.21, 7102.31) from and to Venezuela because of Venezuela's voluntary withdrawal from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, and provides that no Kimberley Process Certificate for such trade shall be accepted, endorsed or issued.

Refund timeframe for duty drawback and terminal excise duty: 30-day counting from complete application; interest if delayed.
For applications for duty drawback and refund of terminal excise duty submitted on or after 06.08.2008, the 30-day processing period is counted from receipt of a complete application as provided in Paragraph 9.10.1 of HBP Vol I 2004-09, and interest is payable if the case is not settled within 30 days of receipt of the complete application.

Export exemption for maize permits a specified humanitarian shipment to the UN World Food Programme for relief in affected countries.
The ban on maize exports is amended to exempt a specified consignment to be exported by M/s Emmsons International under the United Nations World Food Programme to Kenya, Somalia and Burundi for United Nations humanitarian relief operations, effective immediately and issued under the powers of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and the Foreign Trade Policy.

Export of onions allowed subject to quality, MEP, and uniform NOC service charges by designated trading enterprises.
Conditions for all STEs exporting onions: export allowed without quantitative ceiling subject to NAFED quality requirements; all exports subject to a Minimum Export Price fixed by NAFED; designated STEs may issue NOCs to associate shippers and charge a uniform service fee of 1% of the invoice value for NOC issuance; STEs shall not levy any other charges; agencies must ensure quality and submit weekly permit reports to NAFED and periodic shipment reports to the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Prior registration requirement for cotton exports conditions Customs clearance and culminates in prohibition for specified cotton codes.
The notification amends ITC (HS) Schedule 2 Table B to require prior registration of contracts for exports of raw and carded/combed cotton and certain cotton yarns with DGFT (formerly Textile Commissioner), conditions Customs clearance on such registration, implements temporary licence or cap-based restrictions in successive substitutions, and records that later amendments ultimately classified specified cotton entries as prohibited for export; measures are taken under the Foreign Trade Act and declared in public interest.

Letters of Credit extensions allowed after maize export ban for pre ban LCs eligible under transitional arrangements.
The Notification adds that exporters may obtain extensions of existing Letters of Credit opened prior to the maize export ban and eligible under the Transitional Arrangements in Para 1.5 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-09, for a further short period; the amendment is effective immediately as a public interest measure under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act.

Ban on export of maize: transitional arrangements allow extension of existing letters of credit and a humanitarian export exemption.
The amendment makes the transitional arrangements under Para 1.5 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-09 applicable to exports affected by the ban on maize. Exporters with existing Letters of Credit opened prior to the ban and eligible under those arrangements may obtain an extension of validity and shipment period for 18 days. A specified consignment intended for United Nations humanitarian relief operations is exempted from the ban.

CITES permit requirement: export of listed species restricted to designated ports and only prescribed documents accepted.
The amendment mandates a CITES permit for exports of CITES-listed species, restricts exports of the affected items to designated ports and airports, and declares that no additional information, NOC or documents shall be required from exporters beyond those expressly prescribed in the Schedule and Export Licensing Note.

Maize seed export controls impose conditional exports requiring licensing, treatment declaration, labeling and a temporary restriction.
Export of maize (corn) seed is permitted subject to submission to Customs of a seed dealer licence under the Seed Control Order and a declaration that consignments are chemically treated and unfit for human consumption; export packets must be labelled as chemically treated and not fit for food or feed. These measures are temporary and operate alongside Transitional Arrangements under the Foreign Trade Policy, with provision for limited letters of credit extensions and a humanitarian exemption for specified UN relief shipments.

Extension of five-year block period: BoA may extend NFE calculation window when export is prohibited or restricted.
If a unit is unable to export because a product in its Letter of Permission is subject to export prohibition or restriction, the Board of Approval (BoA) may suitably extend the five year block period for calculating Net Foreign Exchange (NFE) earnings.

Continuity of prior trade policy instruments: earlier notices remain effective unless inconsistent with current policy.
The amendment adds Para 1.4A stating that earlier Public Notices, Policy Circulars, Notifications or Decisions will be deemed in force under the current Foreign Trade Policy to the extent they are not inconsistent with the present policy and procedure.

Import licensing amendment adds a policy circular reference to the import licensing note, integrating it into the trade framework.
Amendment adds a cross-reference to Policy Circular No.13 (RE-08)/2004-2009 dated 30.06.2008 at the end of the existing Import Licensing Note no. (2) inserted at the end of Chapter 25 of Schedule I (Imports) to the ITC (HS) Classifications of Export and Import Items, 2004 09 by Notification No. 19 (RE-2008)/2004-09 dated June 30, 2008, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 read with paragraph 2.1 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004 09.

Import policy change for specified marble and calcareous stone permits free import subject to minimum CIF value per square metre.
The notification amends Schedule I (Imports) to classify specified tiles, marble, travertine, alabaster and other calcareous stone Exim Codes as Free imports, subject to the operative condition that import is permitted freely provided the CIF value meets or exceeds the prescribed minimum per square metre.

Import licensing for marble now requires compliance with specified policy circular conditions under the import classification regime.
Amendment to Schedule I (Imports) inserts an import licensing note at the end of Chapter 25 making marble imports subject to the conditions prescribed in the relevant policy circulars; the change ties marble import clearance and licensing to those policy circular requirements and is issued in the public interest.

Export Health Certification required for guar gum to European Union: certificate and PCP-free laboratory report must accompany shipments.
Guar gum refined split and treated pulverized guar gum exported to the European Union for animal or human consumption are allowed only if accompanied by a Health Certificate issued by an authorized representative and the original analytical report from an accredited laboratory certifying absence or specified limit of Penta Chlorophenol (PCP) on sampling conducted by that authorized representative.