UAV export controls eased: small drones now eligible for general authorization under GAED, reducing licensing requirements.
The substituted Category 5B recasts export controls on unmanned aerial vehicle systems, related equipment, propulsion systems, safing/arming mechanisms, production facilities, and associated technology and software; cruise missiles are excluded to the Munitions List. A carve out moves certain lower capability UAVs not otherwise controlled to a General Authorisation for Export of Drones (GAED), exempting qualifying exporters from per shipment SCOMET licenses during the authorisation period, subject to post reporting and documentary requirements, with GAED procedure to be notified separately.

Export restrictions on chrome ore now require authorisation or designated-channel export, altering procedural compliance for exporters.
Export policy for chromium ores under HS Code 2610 is amended to classify affected items as restricted; high-concentration chrome ore now requires an authorisation to export, while other ore categories and concentrates must be exported through a designated state trading channel, imposing immediate compliance obligations on exporters.

General Authorization for export of chemicals allows DGFT one-time approval for exports to specified countries with post export reporting.
The amendment replaces country specific listings in Para 10.08(ix) with a reference to Paragraph 10.16 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023 for determining eligible destination countries under the General Authorization for Export of Chemicals and related equipments (GAEC). GAEC remains a one time DGFT authorization with fixed term validity and is subject to mandatory post export reporting of all exports effected under the authorization.

Import policy change for copra: reclassified as restricted, modifying authorised import channels and prior state-trading regime.
The notification amends the import classification of copra (ITC (HS) 12030000), replacing the State Trading Enterprise regime with a Restricted import regime. It records that earlier imports were permitted through NAFED subject to the Foreign Trade Policy provision, and does not specify a new policy condition, thereby changing the regulatory regime and authorisation framework for copra imports.

Pet coke import restrictions: needle pet coke allowed for Li ion battery anodes; low sulphur pet coke limited to steel blending.
Import of pet coke for fuel is Prohibited, with specific permissions: free import as feedstock for cement, lime kiln, calcium carbide, gasification and graphite electrode industries on Actual User basis; limited Calcined Pet Coke imports for the aluminium sector and raw pet coke for calcined-pet-coke manufacturers; Needle Pet Coke free for graphite anode production for Li ion batteries with sulphur

Certificate of Inspection requirement for rice exports narrowed: mandatory for EU and specified countries, temporarily relaxed elsewhere.
Amendment requires a Certificate of Inspection for exports of Basmati and Non Basmati rice to EU member states and specified European countries (United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland). For exports to other European countries the certificate requirement that had been set to commence from 1 January 2023 is suspended: certificates are not required from the notification date for six months. The change amends Sl. No. 55 and 57, Chapter 10, Schedule 2 of ITC(HS) Export Policy, 2018, with immediate effect.

Import Policy synchronization with Finance Act and FTP updates import classifications, registration and permit-based monitoring requirements.
Amendment of ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule I (Import Policy) to align import classifications and policy conditions with the Finance Act, 2023 and Foreign Trade Policy, 2023; Annexure I lists changed tariff lines and revised import statuses, Annexure II revises item descriptions and notes, and Annexure III amends chapter and code specific policy conditions. Measures include compulsory registration regimes (PIMS for paper; CIMS for coal), import permit requirements for specified agrochemicals, and updated State Trading Enterprise routing for certain agricultural and fertilizer imports. References to FTP (2015 20) are revised to FTP 2023 and the updated schedule is available on the DGFT website, effective immediately.

Export prohibition on broken rice permits shipments only with government permission for foreign food security requests.
Export of broken rice under ITC (HS) code 1006 40 00 is generally prohibited, but exports may be authorised solely where the Government of India grants permission following a request from another country's government to meet that country's food security needs, thereby establishing a conditional, licensing-style exception to the prohibition.

Export regulation: cough syrup exports require tested export samples and a Certificate of Analysis issued by approved laboratories.
Export of Cough Syrup under ITC (HS) Heading 3004 is permitted only if the export sample is tested and a Certificate of Analysis is produced by one of the listed laboratories, including specified central and regional drug testing laboratories and any NABL accredited State Drugs Testing Laboratory; this requirement amends Chapter 30 of Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Export Policy and operates as a procedural export permit condition.

Import price threshold determines permissibility of apple imports; lower-priced consignments prohibited while Bhutan imports exempt from MIP.
Imports of apples under ITC (HS) 08081000 are prohibited where the CIF import price is at or below a specified threshold; imports are permitted when the CIF price exceeds that threshold. Minimum Import Price (MIP) conditions shall not apply to imports from Bhutan.

RoDTEP schedule realignment aligns export rebate tariff entries with the amended Customs Tariff Act, updating covered items.
Realignment of the RoDTEP Schedule w.e.f. 01.05.2023 aligns Appendix 4R with amendments to the First Schedule of the Customs Tariff Act effected by the Finance Bill, 2023; the Government has added and deleted specific tariff lines under the authority of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, with RoDTEP rates and value caps specified for the included tariff items and published on the DGFT portal.

Halal certification now requires i-CAS Halal accreditation for exporting meat, with compliance and registration obligations following.
Meat and meat products exported as Halal certified must originate from facilities with valid i-CAS Halal certification issued by Certification Bodies accredited by NABCB; exporters to countries with national Halal regulations must also comply with importing-country approvals, and existing certification bodies and export units have six months to obtain NABCB accreditation and to register on APEDA's dedicated portal respectively.

Export supply obligation: petroleum exports now require domestic supply confirmation and periodic reporting under amended policy.
Amendment conditions free export of specified motor gasoline and gas oil HS codes on a self-declaration that a prescribed portion of the Shipping Bill quantity has been or will be supplied in the domestic market during the relevant financial year, requires quarterly returns to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and exempts exports to Bhutan and Nepal and units that are 100% EOUs or in SEZs.

Country-wise quantitative restrictions on isopropyl alcohol imports imposed for one year, subject to DGFT registration and quarterly monitoring.
Country-wise quantitative restrictions on imports of Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) are imposed for one year, effective from 01.04.2023, subject to a valid Registration Certificate issued by the DGFT. Specific quarterly country allocations are notified, imports must be via EDI ports for electronic monitoring, QR will be monitored quarterly, unutilised quantities may be added to the next quarter and excess utilisation deducted from the following quarter, and residual quantities may be made available to countries that exhaust their allocations. The regime is subject to government review and further modalities.

Foreign Trade Policy notified, establishing a new regulatory framework and coming into force to govern foreign trade.
Notification announces the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 as a new regulatory instrument issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992. The Central Government, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, has notified the Policy and specified its commencement, thereby placing the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, into force and establishing the framework for export import regulation and trade governance.

RoDTEP inclusion expands eligible HS 5208 tariff lines for export incentives from a specified date in March.
Eighteen tariff lines under HS Heading 5208 for specified cotton woven fabrics are added to Appendix 4R, making them eligible for RoDTEP. The notification prescribes a uniform RoDTEP rate, a per unit cap and uses square metre as the unit of quantity; it is issued under powers conferred by the Foreign Trade Act and Policy and applies to exports from a specified March 2023 effective date.

Biofuel export policy allows SEZ and EoU exports for fuel and non fuel when produced solely from imported feedstock.
The amendment maintains that exports of specified biofuels are restricted and permitted under license only for non fuel purposes, except that exports from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EoUs) are allowed for fuel as well as non fuel purposes without restriction when the biofuels are produced using only imported feedstock.

Import policy for urea: IPL permitted for agricultural imports; designated STEs or authorized fertilizer marketers may file Bills of Entry.
The amendment extends authority to import agricultural grade urea through Indian Potash Limited and maintains that agricultural urea on Government account may be imported by designated State Trading Enterprises or by Department authorized Fertilizer Marketing Entities for filing Bills of Entry at Indian ports, subject to compliance with the Foreign Trade Policy; Technical Grade Urea for non agricultural or industrial use remains free for import.

Import permission for marble from Bhutan allowed without minimum import price, subject to DGFT registration on a financial year basis.
Imports of marble under ITC (HS) Codes 2515 and 6802 from Bhutan are permitted annually without Minimum Import Price, effective immediately and operating on a financial year basis, provided the importer holds a valid Registration Certificate issued by the DGFT; the procedure for issuance of the Registration Certificate will be notified separately.

Minimum Import Price exemption for cashew kernel imports now applies to EOUs and SEZs, subject to non-sale into DTA.
The amendment retains conditional import freedom for cashew kernels based on CIF valuation thresholds, and states that MIP conditions shall not apply to imports by 100% Export Oriented Units and SEZ units, provided those imported cashew kernels are not sold into the Domestic Tariff Area.