Import policy for betel nuts now permits free imports where CIF value meets the prescribed per-kilogram threshold.
Amendment to Schedule I (Imports) of the ITC(HS) Classifications under FTP 2004-09 places betel nuts (whole, split, ground, other) under a Free import regime. Imports are permitted freely provided the CIF value per kilogram meets or exceeds the prescribed threshold specified in the notification.

Import classification amendment: sandalwood removed and explicitly excluded from timber HS codes under foreign trade policy.
The notification deletes the sandal wood item under Exim Code 44039919 and instructs that Exim Code 4401 descriptions be amended to state that those codes exclude all species of sandalwood, as an administrative amendment to Schedule I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) classification under the Foreign Trade Policy framework.

Export of cement: limited exemption permits specified shipments to Maldives under a bilateral project, subject to HS and port conditions.
The ITC(HS) Schedule entry for tariff heading 2523 and subheadings is amended to show Free export status for the listed HS codes, while a specific exemption allows M/s IDEB Projects (P) Limited to export cement from Tuticorin Port to the Maldives for a bilateral construction project in prescribed quantities and schedule, subject to compliance with specified cement standards.

Export liberalization of cement: reclassification permits export while noting prior prohibition with SEZ and Nepal exceptions.
The amendment immediately reclassifies cement entries at Sl. No. 72A, Chapter 25, in Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) as Free for export (specified HS subheadings), issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and Foreign Trade Policy, and notified as being in the public interest; it contrasts with the prior Prohibited classification which had specific exceptions for supply to SEZ units/developers for use within SEZ and for export to Nepal.

Ban on edible oil exports includes a specific exemption for exports to Bhutan; immediate effect under FT Act.
The amendment enacts an immediate prohibition on the export of edible oils under powers granted by the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and the Foreign Trade Policy, while carving out an express operational exception permitting a specified quantity of edible oil exports to Bhutan; the change is issued in public interest by the executive notification.

Exemption in export prohibition for pulses permits specified exports to Bhutan under amended foreign trade notification.
The amendment to Notification No.15 (RE-2006)/2004-2009 exempts a specified quantity of pulses from the prohibition in Para 3(i), permitting export of pulses to Bhutan, with immediate effect, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and applicable Foreign Trade Policy provisions, and stated to be in the public interest.

Export exemption for non-basmati rice allows authorised shipment to Bhutan under amended foreign trade policy with immediate effect.
The amendment creates a narrow regulatory exception to the prohibition on export of Non Basmati rice at Sl. No.45A by authorising a limited shipment to Bhutan, effective immediately, without altering the general ban and integrating the allowance into the existing Foreign Trade Policy framework.

Export permission for basmati rice granted as a relief consignment, exempting a port restriction under the foreign trade policy.
Amendment authorises export of 400 MTs of basmati rice from Chennai port to Myanmar as a relief consignment sent by the Government of France, exempting that shipment from the port restriction applicable to Sl. No. 45AA in Notification No. 38 (RE-2007)/2004-2009 read with Notification No. 93 (RE-2008)/2004-2009. The amendment is made under Section 5 read with Section 3(2) of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and relevant Foreign Trade Policy provisions, with immediate effect in the public interest.

Removal of port restriction: betel nut imports from Myanmar exempted from prior port limitations with retrospective effect.
Imports of betel nuts from Myanmar under the Border Trade Public Notice are exempted from the previously notified port restriction provisions in Schedule I of the ITC (HS) classifications; this exemption is made effective retrospectively from 20.02.2007 and is issued under the authority of the Foreign Trade Act and the Foreign Trade Policy framework.

Export benefit exclusion: milk and milk products removed from Focus Market Scheme for exports with effect from April 2008.
Exports of milk and milk products covered by ITC HS codes 0401-0406, 19011001, 19011010, 2105 and 3501 shall not be eligible for Focus Market Scheme benefits for exports with effect from 17.4.2008, pursuant to addition of sub paragraph 3.9.2.2(n) to the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009.

Export of cement policy relaxed: specified HS coded cement reclassified as free for export, replacing the prior prohibition.
The Foreign Trade Policy entry for S.No. 72A in Chapter 25 has been substituted to list specified HS codes for cement and to change the export policy for those codes to Free, replacing a prior Prohibited classification that had allowed supplies from the Domestic Tariff Area to Special Economic Zones for use within the SEZ.

Export prohibition on cement reinstated, with exceptions for supplies from DTA to SEZ and exports to Nepal.
The notification amends ITC(HS) Schedule 2 by inserting tariff heading 2523 for cement and related subheadings and establishes a prohibition on export of cement under those HS codes. Subsequent substitutions reaffirm the export ban while carving out two exceptions: supplies from the Domestic Tariff Area to SEZ units or SEZ Developers/Co Developers for use within the SEZ, and exports to Nepal.

Export restrictions on edible oils relaxed, allowing specified exemptions for certain oils and conditional deemed exports.
Paragraph 1.1 of the notification is substituted to exempt certain exports from the prohibition: Castor Oil; Coconut Oil exported via Kochi Port; deemed exports of edible oils to 100% export oriented units where the final product is non edible; oils produced from specified minor forest produce listed by ITC (HS) codes even if edible; and exports from the Domestic Tariff Area to SEZs for consumption in manufacture of processed food products.

Port operational scope revised: scheme restricted to specified ports while allowing cross-port import-export interchangeability.
The amendment limits the scheme for Chapter 44 wood items to specified ports and permits importers to import wood logs at one listed port and export sawn timber from a paired or other listed port, treating Mangalore and Tuticorin as the same port and providing a similar interchangeable facility among Kandla, Mumbai, Mundra and Nhavasheva to allow imports at any of those ports and exports from the same or any remaining ports.

Foreign Trade Policy update consolidates Annual Supplement under statutory authority, bringing the revised policy into force.
Central Government, under the powers conferred by Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 read with paragraph 1.2 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-2009, notifies the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-2009 incorporating the Annual Supplement updated on 11 April 2008 as contained in the Annexure, with the consolidated policy effective from 1 April 2008.

Ban on non-basmati rice exports: limited exemptions permit conditional exports subject to registration, port restrictions and minimum FOB pricing.
The notification bans exports of non-basmati rice while authorising conditional exports from privately held stocks or through designated PSUs for specified relief, food-aid and bilateral programmes, organic and seed-quality exceptions; exports require prior contract registration with DGFT or APEDA, confirmed letters of credit, performance bank guarantees, adherence to Minimum Export Price or minimum FOB pricing where prescribed, and, for certain categories, restricted port shipments and pre-shipment quality certification.

Export prohibition on edible oils limited by exemptions for castor, coconut via Kochi, deemed EOU inputs, SEZ supplies.
Immediate export prohibition on edible oils is imposed under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and FTP, subject to specified exemptions: export of castor oil; export of coconut oil through Kochi/Cochin port; deemed exports of edible oils from DTA to 100% EOUs for production of non edible goods; export of oils from minor forest produce listed by ITC (HS) codes; and export from DTA to SEZs for consumption by SEZ units in manufacture of processed food products.

Prohibition on export of pulses extended, excluding Kabuli Chana, under Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act authority.
The Central Government, under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009, substitutes Para 3(i) of a prior notification to extend the prohibition on exports of pulses, excluding Kabuli Chana, thereby continuing the administrative export ban and noting the measure is issued in the public interest.

Amendments to import classification impose restrictions on nuclear-related materials and tie licensing to Atomic Energy Act.
The notification amends Schedule I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) Classifications to designate specified HS tariff lines as Restricted or Free, with numerous nuclear related items listed as Restricted and subject to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and rules. It deletes the "List of Prescribed Substances" under Chapter 26 and amends Import Licensing Note No.1 of Chapters 26 and 28 to require that imports of "Prescribed substances" notified by the Department of Atomic Energy comply with the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and corresponding rules.

Export controls on rice maintain conditional export permissions subject to quality certification and minimum export price requirements.
Basmati rice exports are designated free subject to conditions: exports to the Russian Federation require pre-shipment quality certification by the Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research or another notified agency, and exports are permitted only if a prescribed Minimum FOB price is met; non-basmati rice exports are exempted from the prohibition where the Minimum FOB Export Price satisfies the specified threshold. Transitional relief under Para 1.5 is excluded for this ban, while Para 9.12 of the Handbook of Procedures remains applicable.