Re-import facility at zero duty for cut and polished diamonds extended automatically for affected exporters, granting three-month relief.
Para 4.44 permits eligible exporters or authorised Indian offices/agencies to export cut and polished diamonds (each of 0.25 carat or above) to designated laboratories with a re-import facility at zero duty within three months of export, subject to Central Board of Customs & Excise guidelines; the amendment automatically extends the re-import period by three months for cases whose re-import period was expiring in the specified early to mid 2020 window.

Export controls on Personal Protection Equipment impose prohibitions and monthly quotas for certain coveralls, masks and goggles.
The amendment classifies specified PPE under identified HS codes into prohibited, restricted (with monthly quotas), and free export categories: certain medical coveralls are prohibited while other surgical coveralls and non medical masks are freely exportable; separate restricted quotas apply to medical coveralls for COVID 19, 2/3 ply surgical masks and medical goggles; nitrile/NBR gloves and face shields are free. The notification modifies earlier FTP notifications to confine the prohibition to the listed items and permit all others to be exported freely.

Export policy of Hydroxychloroquine changed from prohibited to free, permitting export of API and formulations.
The export classification for specified ITC HS codes covering Hydroxychloroquine API and its formulations is reclassified from Prohibited to Free, taking effect immediately and removing prior export restrictions under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Import policy change: tyres reclassified from free to restricted, imposing licensing controls on specified pneumatic tyre categories.
The import policy for new pneumatic tyres under specified ITC HS codes of Chapter 40 is amended: categories previously listed as Free are reclassified as Restricted, bringing those motorcar, bus and lorry, motorcycle and bicycle tyre subheadings within the restricted import framework and subject to the administrative controls and licensing conditions of the Foreign Trade Policy.

Export status of human embryos set as free for export, subject to No Objection Certificate from national medical research authority under FTP.
Human embryos, gametes and gonad tissues (HS 05119999) are classified as "Free" for export under a new entry in Chapter 5, Schedule 2 of ITC(HS) 2018, but export is permitted only subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the designated national medical research authority.

SCOMET export control update: Appendix 3 revised, published online, with transition period and immediate effect for certain chemicals.
Amendment revises Appendix 3 (SCOMET Items) to Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Classification, updating the national export control list; the revision is issued under powers in the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and the Foreign Trade Policy, will be published on the web portal, and takes effect after a transition period except for specified Scheduled Chemicals which are effective immediately.

Export restrictions on diagnostic kits and specified reagents require an exporter undertaking for customs clearance.
The amendment places the diagnostic kits listed in para 1(A) and the diagnostic instruments, apparatus and reagents listed in para 1(B) under export restriction, applying to those items whether exported individually or as part of kits. Other diagnostic goods under the same HS codes are exportable only upon submission of a company letterhead undertaking to Customs confirming the shipment contains no restricted items.

Export restriction on alcohol-based hand sanitizers in dispenser containers bars their export while other packagings remain permitted.
Amendment prohibits export of alcohol-based hand sanitizers when exported in containers with dispenser pumps, irrespective of the specific ITC/HS code, with immediate effect; sanitizers in other packaging are free for export and other products under the listed HS codes remain freely exportable.

Export of Paracetamol API now permitted, removing prior restriction and allowing free export under amended trade policy.
The Central Government amended the export policy entry for Paracetamol API (ITC HS 29222933), changing its status from Restricted to Free under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and the Foreign Trade Policy, amending a prior notification and taking effect immediately to permit unrestricted export of Paracetamol API.

Import period modification shortens the authorised import window for Urad quota and preserves application finalisation.
The Central Government, invoking section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and Foreign Trade Policy provisions, has shortened the import period for the annual 4 lakh MT Urad quota for 2020-21 so imports may be effected only until 31st August, 2020 instead of 31st March, 2021; applications filed under Trade Notice no. 57/2019-2020 will be considered and finalised.

Export policy: non-medical masks allowed for export while medical masks remain prohibited under amended FTP
The export policy amendment permits the export of non-medical/non-surgical masks of all types (cotton, silk, wool, knitted) while all other mask types classified as medical or surgical remain prohibited for export under the existing ITC HS export policy notifications.

Import policy exemption for silver permits Advance Authorisation and direct foreign-buyer supply to exporters under FTP.
Amendment creates limited exemptions to the restriction that silver imports be allowed only through agencies nominated by RBI and DGFT: imports under Advance Authorisation and direct supply by foreign buyers to exporters against export orders are exempted, while other import controls and the nominated agency requirement remain applicable for silver forms listed under Chapter 71.

Export prohibition on alcohol based hand sanitizers restricts their international shipment; other goods under same HS codes remain exportable.
Export of Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers is prohibited when classified under any ITC HS Code, including ex3004, ex3401, ex3402 and 380894; other items under those HS codes remain freely exportable, amending Notification No. 53 dated 24.03.2020 to confine the restriction to alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Transport and Marketing Assistance amendment sets air export assistance on per kilogram freight basis and updates regional differential rates.
The TMA scheme amendment replaces Clause 6(g) to calculate assistance for air-exported products on a per kilogram freight basis, using net export cargo weight and ignoring fractional kilograms. Annexure (3) is substituted to set differential assistance rates by region, showing amounts per TEU for normal and reefer containers and amounts per kilogram for air shipments. The modifications apply only to fresh applications submitted after the notification date; existing applications cannot be modified.

Export policy change: formulations containing paracetamol now free for export under ITC HS codes while APIs remain restricted.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended Chapter 30 of Schedule 2 to make formulations containing paracetamol, including fixed dose combinations, Free for export under the ITC HS framework while explicitly maintaining export Restricted status for paracetamol active pharmaceutical ingredients; the change applies to formulations under any ITC HS code and took immediate effect.

Pea export quotas set: yellow peas zero, green 75,000 MT, other 75,000 MT for 2020-21.
The notification sets export quotas for peas for fiscal year 2020-2021: yellow peas 0 MT, green peas 75,000 MT, and other peas 75,000 MT, identified by Exim codes, and states that the measure takes effect from publication in the Official Gazette under powers of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy framework.

Export policy change: specified APIs and their formulations designated free for export under the Foreign Trade Policy framework.
Amendment reclassifies specified APIs and formulations in Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS) from restricted to Free for export, updating the earlier notification and taking immediate effect, thereby permitting export of the listed APIs and their formulations under the Foreign Trade Policy framework.

Export restriction on diagnostic kits imposes immediate controls on specified VTM, RNA extraction and RT PCR supplies.
Export of diagnostic kits is reclassified from free to restricted with immediate effect, specifically covering VTM kits and reagents, RNA extraction kits and reagents, and RT PCR kits and reagents. The amendment, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and Foreign Trade Policy provisions, applies to diagnostic or laboratory reagents and certified reference materials under any ITC HS code. Para 1.05(b) transitional arrangements are not applicable, making the restriction effective immediately.

Export prohibition of hydroxychloroquine bars all exports, including from SEZs and under advance authorisations and payments.
The notification deletes the paragraph that allowed certain exports and declares that exports of hydroxychloroquine and its formulations under any ITCHS code are prohibited. The ban expressly includes exports from SEZs/EOUs, exports against Advance Authorisation, under Para 1.05(b) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, and exports against full advance payment, leaving no exceptions.

Steel import monitoring registration validity extended for affected automatic registrations to address COVID-19 related shipment delays.
The Steel Import Monitoring System requires importers to submit advance information online and obtain an automatic Registration Number on payment of a registration fee subject to minimum and maximum caps. Registrations may be applied for between 60 and 15 days before expected arrival and are ordinarily valid for 75 days. Automatic registration numbers generated up to 31 March 2020 are granted a one-time extension of validity to a total of 135 days due to COVID-19 related shipment delays.