Import for execution of export orders for jobbing: reference replaced by ITC (HS) classification as operative standard.
Amendment to the exemption notification for import for execution of an export order for jobbing substitutes in condition (vii) the words "Export and Import Policy" with "ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import items as declared by the Government of India, in the Ministry of Commerce," thereby changing the operative reference standard for that condition.

Rescission of customs exemption notifications removes specified prior exemptions in the public interest under Customs Act authority.
The Central Government, exercising authority under section 25(1) of the Customs Act and acting in the public interest, has rescinded a series of miscellaneous customs exemption notifications, thereby terminating the legal effect of those listed instruments and withdrawing the exemptions they previously conferred.

Import exemption for bonafide gifts limited by a value cap, excluding postal and air freight charges from valuation.
Amendment imposes a value limit that bonafide gifts imported by post or as air freight are exempt only where their value does not exceed rupees five thousand, and clarifies that postal charges or air freight shall not be taken into account for determining that value limit.

Import value limits for commercial samples and prototypes revised; postal and air freight excluded from value calculation.
The notification amends Notification No. 154/94 Customs by (i) substituting condition (iv) for serial 3 to impose an import limit measured by value or by unit count within a twelve month period and restating condition (v)(A)(b) to reflect the same aggregate import limit, and by correcting a cross reference; and (ii) substituting condition (ii) for serial 5 to set a per shipment value ceiling for samples or prototypes and revising the Explanation to exclude postal charges and air freight from that value calculation.

Imports for project execution now require specified government certificates confirming necessity and project approval at customs clearance.
The amendment narrows exemption scope to goods imported for execution of projects financed by the United Nations or an international organisation and requires specified certificates at customs clearance: for UN financed approved projects, a certificate from an officer not below Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs); for projects financed by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank or other international organisations approved by the Government of India, a certificate from the executive head of the Project Implementing Authority countersigned by a Joint Secretary in the concerned Line Ministry; and where implementation is by a State/UT, countersignature by the Principal Secretary or Secretary (Finance) of that State/UT. The Explanation defines "international organisation" and "Line Ministry."

Customs exemption amendment adds supply of goods to Talcher II projects under special imprest licence per public notice.
Amendment adds a new sub clause to the Explanation to Notification No. 36/97 Customs, inserting an express authorisation for supply of goods to Talcher II and Talcher II transmission projects to be imported against the special imprest licence, in accordance with the Government's Public Notice No. 18 (RE: 99)/1997 2002, thereby expanding the exemption category under the notification.

Customs privilege engine-capacity threshold removed, broadening vehicle import eligibility for foreign privileged persons under amended rules.
Amendment removes the engine-capacity limitation from specified provisions of the Foreign Privileged Persons' (Regulation of Customs Privileges) Rules, 1957 by omitting the words and figures referring to engine capacity in rule 4A(2)(d) and in rule 5(1A), thereby altering the eligibility criterion tied to vehicle engine capacity for customs privileges available to foreign privileged persons.

Anti-dumping duty on polytetrafluoroethylene imports from Russia imposed to counteract dumping and industry injury.
The Central Government, relying on the Designated Authority's findings that PTFE from Russia was dumped and caused injury to the domestic industry, imposed an anti-dumping duty on PTFE falling under sub-heading 3904.61 when originating in or exported from Russia and imported into India; the measure is effected under the Customs Tariff Act and the Anti-dumping Rules and specifies a stated duty rate and period of effectiveness.

Safeguard duty on phenol imposed, with higher initial rate then reduced rate, and specified licence and developing-country exemptions.
A safeguard duty is imposed on Phenol (sub-heading 2907.11) for two years based on findings of threat to domestic industry, with a higher initial rate followed by a reduced rate for the later part of the period. Exemptions apply to imports under specified Advance Licences (subject to non-transferable and actual-user conditions and restricted use for export obligation discharge or replenishment) and to imports from notified developing countries, excluding one specified country; the notification defines eligible Advance Licences by reference to Export and Import Policy provisions.

Duty Entitlement Pass Book validity extended - amendment deems passes valid until month end when expiry falls earlier.
The amendment inserts a proviso to Notification No. 34/97-Cus condition (iv) deeming a Duty Entitlement Pass Book valid until the last day of the month when its expiry falls before that day, and substitutes the phrase "Provided further that" for "Provided that" in the following proviso.

EPCG scheme exemption expanded to include marine products and specified freezing, refrigeration and packing machinery.
Amendment expands the scope of the EPCG Scheme exemption to include marine products with corresponding changes to the proviso and Explanation, renumbers the original annexure as Annexure I, and inserts an Annexure II listing plant, machinery, equipment and accessories (freezing, refrigeration, packing, weighing, handling and cold storage systems) that qualify for exemption when imported for marine products under the notification.

Anti-dumping duty rescission removes prior levy on Bisphenol-A imports from specified countries under Customs Tariff authority.
Anti-dumping duty on imports of Bisphenol-A from Brazil and Russia is rescinded by the Central Government under powers conferred by the Customs Tariff Act and the anti-dumping rules, withdrawing Notification No. 169/95-Customs and removing the legal basis for assessment and collection of that duty for those imports.

Anti-dumping duty continuation on Bisphenol-A imports from Russia and Brazil maintained under Customs Tariff Act, duties notified.
The Central Government, under section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act and rule 23 of the Anti-dumping Rules, confirms continuation of anti-dumping duties on Bisphenol-A imports originating in or exported from Russia and Brazil at the existing per-metric-tonne rates specified by the designated authority's review, applicable to goods under Chapter 29 of the First Schedule; the notification remains in effect up to and inclusive of 21 December 2000.

Safeguard duty amendment narrows application by exempting specified developing countries and adjusts the applicable duty rate.
The government amends three safeguard-duty notifications to exempt imports from countries designated as developing countries except specified jurisdictions, to substitute a lower percentage duty rate in one notification for imports up to a stated date, and to expand each notification's Explanation to include Annual Advance Licence instruments issued under the referenced export import policy.

Exchange rate determination for export goods: prescribed currency-to-rupee conversion rates govern export valuation and compliance.
Determines exchange rates for conversion between specified foreign currencies and Indian rupees for export goods under statutory authority, superseding the prior notification, and prescribes specific rupee equivalents in Schedule I (per unit) and Schedule II (per 100 units) to be applied for export valuation, documentation and compliance from the stated commencement date.

Exchange rate determination set for imported goods, governing stamp duty and customs valuation as per prescribed schedules.
Prescribes exchange rates for specified foreign currencies to be used for calculating stamp duty under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and for determinations under section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 in relation to imported goods; supersedes the prior notification and fixes the applicable rupee equivalents in Schedule I and Schedule II, effective from 1st July, 1999.

Customs port designation: Jaigad added for loading of molasses for export under statutory powers notification.
Amendment designates Jaigad as a notified customs port for the specific purpose of loading molasses for export by inserting item (9) Jaigad in the notification Table and recording Loading of Molasses for export as the authorised activity, effected under the powers conferred by clause (a) of Section 7 of the Customs Act, 1962.

Anti-dumping duty extension on Bisphenol-A continues pending review, notification amends earlier order to extend enforcement.
The Central Government amended Notification No. 63/98-Customs to insert an operative paragraph extending the anti-dumping duty on Bisphenol-A originating in or exported from Japan, maintaining the existing levy pending review investigations, pursuant to powers conferred by the Customs Tariff Act and the rules governing identification, assessment and collection of anti-dumping duty.

Customs port designation: Ranpar Port authorised for unloading specified imported hydrocarbons and petroleum products under amended notification.
Amendment designates Ranpar Port as a specified customs port by substituting Item (a) in the Table to Notification No. 62/94-Customs (N.T.) under the powers of clause (a) of Section 7 of the Customs Act, 1962, to list permitted unloaded imported goods: ethylene; ethylene dichloride; vinyl chloride monomer; liquefied petroleum gas; and kerosene.

Exemption from anti dumping duty for imports under Annual Advance Licence when used to meet export obligation.
Exemption from anti-dumping duty applies to imports made against an Annual Advance Licence, provided the exempted articles are not disposed of or utilised except for discharge of the export obligation specified in that licence; the exemption covers the whole of the anti-dumping duty when the utilisation condition is complied with.