Ban on non-basmati rice exports exempted for specified countries subject to designated PSUs, quantities and sourcing conditions.
Amendment exempts specified exports of non-basmati rice from the ban by permitting designated PSUs to export allocated quantities to listed countries during the marketing season, subject to procurement from mills with surplus stocks, a minimum 25% brokens content, safeguards against disturbing domestic rice prices, and requirement that sourcing be from more than one State; all other provisions of the earlier notification continue to apply.

Import restriction on radio communication equipment requires WPC-issued licence for importation, strengthening trade compliance.
The amendment to Schedule I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) Classifications provides that radio communication equipment, including VHF, UHF and microwave communication equipment, is not permitted to be imported except against a licence to be issued by the WPC wing of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; a related subheading is likewise restricted to import only under a WPC licence. The notification states it is effective from the earlier notification date and was issued in the public interest.

Delegation of powers under Section 13 to specified FT officers with prescribed value limits and SEZ exception.
The Central Government authorizes specified DGFT officers to exercise powers under Section 13 read with Section 11 of the Foreign Trade Act, 1992, superseding prior notifications; a table prescribes monetary limits for each designated post, and the Development Commissioner, SEZ has unlimited authority for Export Oriented Units and units in Special Economic Zones.

Notification amendment: correction of referenced date in prior trade notification, updating the official record under statutory authority.
The corrigendum amends Notification No.98 by substituting the previously cited date in two paragraphs with a revised date, thereby correcting the official reference; the amendment is made under statutory authority and issued in the public interest.

EOU export permission amendment allows non-basmati rice shipments under government-set quantity and price controls by notification.
The amendment to Notification No.59(RE-2008)/2004-2009 substitutes the Para 2 table to authorize two specified 100% Export Oriented Units to export non-basmati rice at government-fixed exportable quantities and a government-prescribed minimum export price, while all other provisions of the original notification remain unchanged.

Prohibition on export of pulses extended, maintaining exclusion for Kabuli Chana under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Prohibition on export of Pulses (except Kabuli Chana) is extended by substituting Para 3(i) of the earlier notification, exercising powers under Section 5 read with Section 3(2) of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-2009, to continue the export prohibition up to 31.3.2011, issued in the public interest.

Import policy: antiques and antiquarian books now free for import subject to source-country export rules.
Import policy for Exim code 9706 00 00 designates antiques exceeding one hundred years and antiquarian books as Free for import; importers must comply with the export laws of the country of origin as a condition of import.

Permission for Designated Diamond Dollar Accounts allows eligible diamond and jewellery firms to transact through DDAs.
Firms dealing in rough or cut and polished diamonds, coloured gemstones, and precious metal jewellery may carry out business through Designated Diamond Dollar Accounts (DDA) if they have at least a two year import/export track record in diamonds, coloured gemstones or related jewellery and meet the prescribed average annual turnover requirement during the preceding three licensing years.

Conversion approval process requires Board of Approval review for high investment or high export DTA units seeking EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP status.
The amendment requires that applications for conversion from DTA units into an EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP, where the DTA unit meets specified investment in plant and machinery or specified annual export performance thresholds, shall be placed before the Board of Approval for a decision.

Import tariff classifications amended: many HS items reclassified, policy statuses changed, and licensing conditions updated under ITC(HS).
Notification amends Schedule I (Imports) of the ITC(HS) 2004-09 by substituting, inserting and omitting numerous headings, sub headings and item entries across HS chapters; revising chapter and sub heading notes and commodity descriptions; and changing import policy statuses to Free or Restricted and adding or altering import licensing conditions (including licensing for certain transmitters and controlled chemicals).

Import quota for marble from Bhutan restricts imports this financial year and assigns monitoring and allocation to Bhutan.
A combined annual import quota for marble from Bhutan, covering items in Chapters 25 and 68, is instituted effective from the notification date on a financial year basis, with monitoring and allocation to be made by the Government of Bhutan. Because imports from Bhutan have already exceeded the current financial year's permitted volume, no imports of marble from Bhutan shall be allowed for the remainder of the financial year ending 31st March.

Duty credit scrip entitlement for specified leather and garment exports to linked markets now applicable under MLFPS.
The amendment provides that for exports of specified leather products and specified garments, duty credit scrips under MLFPS shall be granted on the FOB value of exports when shipped to specified linked markets; the eligible products, linked markets and admissible export period/dates will be notified in Table 14 of Appendix 37D of HBP Vol. I.

Import prohibition on toys requires conformity certificates and independent accredited laboratory testing to permit entry to market.
Prohibits importation of toys under ITC (HS) Codes 9501, 9502 and 9503 except where consignments are accompanied by a manufacturer's certificate of conformity to ASTM F963, ISO 8124 (Parts I-III), IS 9873 (Parts I-III) or EN 71, and a Certificate of Conformance showing representative samples were tested by an independent laboratory accredited under ILAC/MRA and linked to the consignment's period of manufacture.

Import licensing conditions tightened: marble and artificial stone imports now subject to specified policy circular compliance.
Amendments to Schedule-I (Imports) to the ITC (HS) Classifications amend Import Licensing Notes at the end of Chapter 25 and Chapter 68 to require that marble and rough/unprocessed blocks and slabs of agglomerated/artificial stones be imported only subject to compliance with specified policy circulars, thereby incorporating those administrative conditions by reference under the powers conferred by the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and paragraph 2.1 of the Foreign Trade Policy.

Import licensing: licence holders may substitute agglomerated stone imports with rough marble blocks under specified conditional endorsement requirements.
Import licences for rough/unprocessed blocks and slabs of agglomerated/artificial stones are amended to permit licence holders the option to import either the agglomerated/artificial items originally licensed or rough marble blocks/slabs identified by specified Exim codes; any substitution or enhanced quantity import is subject to all conditions applicable to marble imports, including floor price requirements and must be endorsed by the relevant Regional Authority within the prescribed period, with enhanced quantities permitted for utilisation only after the start of the next financial year.

Duty Credit Scrips permitted for EPCG import payments where item is importable, expanding duty payment flexibility.
The amendment deletes the term "realized" from Paragraph 3.8.2 and replaces BRC/FIRC language with "in free foreign exchange" in Paragraph 3.11.2(b), effective 1 April 2009. Duty credit scrips under Chapter 3 can be used to pay duties under the EPCG scheme where imports are allowable against the scrip; DEPB scrips are likewise permitted for EPCG duty payment. Nominated agencies for procurement of precious metals are enumerated and import/monitoring procedures follow HBP v1 and RBI guidelines. Worked Coral import policy is changed to Free and specified pharmaceutical exports require a No Objection Certificate.

Prohibition on DEPB credit for ITC(HS)-listed prohibited exports, with only the transitional facility exception permitted.
The Foreign Trade Policy is amended to provide that items of export listed as prohibited in the ITC(HS) Book shall not be entitled to Duty Entitlement Passbook (DEPB) credit, with the sole exception of exports effected under the transitional facility permitted by the Policy.

Advance authorization for raw sugar permits tied manufacturer or merchant exporters to import for export with relaxed user conditions.
Issuance of advance authorization for import of raw sugar is permitted to a manufacturer exporter or to a merchant exporter tied to supporting manufacturer(s), with exports allowed by procuring white sugar from other factories. The actual user condition shall not apply to raw sugar imported under the advance authorization scheme for the specified transitional period, temporarily relaxing that requirement.

Prohibition exemption for wheat flour exports to Maldives permits specified shipment via designated exporter under foreign trade policy.
The prohibition on export of wheat flour shall not be applicable to export of a specified quantity of wheat flour during 2009-10 to Maldives through M/s. PEC Limited, as an addition to the existing notification under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Amendment to Foreign Trade Policy expands product scope to include other products beyond flowers, fruits and vegetables.
The Foreign Trade Policy amendment replaces the phrase 'Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables' in the third sub paragraph of Para 3.8.2 (FTP RE2008) with 'Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products', expanding the defined product category; the change is made under powers of Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and Para 1.3 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-2009.