DGFT NOTIFICATION
Govt bans export of unsorted battery waste, scrap
The government has implemented a ban on the export of unsorted waste and scrap from certain batteries. This ban applies specifically to primary cells, batteries, and electric accumulators lacking hazardous substances. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification establishing this prohibition, which is effective immediately. Previous regulations classified these exports as 'Free', but now they are categorized as 'Prohibited'.
India extends Halal certification for meat exports to Egypt
The government has extended the implementation of the mandatory i-CAS-Halal for meat exports to Egypt by three months. This extension aims to facilitate the accreditation process of Egyptian Halal certification bodies. Additionally, the government specified that the Certificate of Inspection for rice exports is limited to certain European countries. Exemption from this requirement will continue until April 2027 for other European nations.
Import window for duty-free raw sugar extended till Dec 31
The government has extended the deadline for duty-free imports of 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar to December 31, as domestic imports have lagged at just 3 lakh tonnes due to price control measures. This decision aims to mitigate supply constraints following record high sugar prices linked to reduced domestic production and exports.
Government allows 5,841 tonnes of sugar export to EU under quota-based duty concession scheme
"The quantity of 5,841 MT of sugar to be exported to the EU from India under TRQ (tariff rate quota) for the year 2026-27 (October 2026 to September 2027) has been notified," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a public notice dated October 9.
Export schemes extended amid West Asia crisis
The Centre extended the duty refund scheme Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for exporters of apparel, garments and made-ups by three months to December 31 along with continuing the enhanced insurance cover against payment defaults until March 31, 2027, for export consignments to West Asia under the Export Promotion Mission.
India extends RoDTEP scheme till December 31, keeps export refund rates unchanged
The government extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products scheme until December 31, 2026. This extension ensures that exporters receive continued refunds for eligible duties and taxes incurred during production. The existing rates and caps for the scheme remain unchanged during this period. RoDTEP was introduced to help prevent embedded taxes from affecting the pricing of Indian goods abroad.
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Govt extends import price curbs on two pharma raw materials
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has announced an extension of the minimum import price validity period. This extension will apply to two pharmaceutical raw materials, namely ATS-8 and Sulfadiazine API. The minimum import price for ATS-8 will be set at USD 111 per kg in the upcoming months. Sulfadiazine API will have a minimum import price of USD 1,774 per kg during this period.
Enhanced insurance cover for West Asia exports extended to March 2027
Indian exporters will continue to receive upgraded insurance protection against buyer payment defaults until March 31, 2027. The expanded coverage is part of an initiative to support exporters during ongoing challenges. Previously, the eligibility was set to expire after September 30, affecting shipments to West Asia.
Forced labour and import: Reading India’s latest foreign trade policy additions
With this notification in place, India has tried to put a protective layer for the domestic industry from unfair foreign competition.
Rules eased to help exporters receive payments in rupees
India has eased rules for rupee-based export payments, allowing exporters to invoice and receive payments in Indian currency or foreign currencies from non-ACU countries. Rupee export realisations will now qualify for trade-policy benefits and count towards export obligations, helping promote wider use of the rupee in international trade.
India imposes minimum import price on clear float glass to curb cheaper imports
To safeguard its local glass industry, India has enacted a minimum import price for clear float glass, directly benefiting manufacturers like Saint-Gobain. This policy, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, will restrict imports priced below thirty-four thousand rupees per tonne and will be in effect for the next year, aiming to enhance domestic production.
India bans import of goods made with forced labour
India has amended its foreign trade policy to ban goods produced using forced labour. This move comes amid a US investigation into forced labour practices globally. The new policy prohibits imports of goods manufactured wholly or in part through forced labour. This prohibition will take effect after a 30-day period from its official gazette publication. The government can issue notifications to ban specific goods based on evidence of forced labour.
Imports of roasted areca nuts below ₹351/kg restricted
India's latest import regulations see the prohibition of roasted Areca nuts valued below ₹351 per kilogram, a step aimed at stabilizing the market. Notably, this ban does not extend to imports by fully export-oriented firms in SEZs or those operating under the Advance Authorisation framework.
Govt lifts port restrictions on leather export, levies import checks on cabinet hinges
The government has eliminated port restrictions on specific leather exports, including finished, wet blue, and El tanned varieties, a decision celebrated by industry exporters. Simultaneously, import restrictions have been imposed on cabinet hinges priced below Rs 280 per kilogram to curb inexpensive imports.
India bans direct, indirect imports from Pakistan
In response to national security concerns and public policy, India has officially banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan, effective immediately. This decision, formalized in a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, follows a recent terror attack and impacts goods originating from or exported through Pakistan.
Requirement for inspection certificate for rice exports limited to certain EU nations: DGFT
New Delhi announced that the certificate of inspection requirement for rice exports from government bodies mainly applies to EU member states, including the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The rule is exempt for other European countries for the next six months.
SC seeks response on plea challenging ban on export of non-basmati rice
The Supreme Court has requested responses from the government, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), National Cooperative Exports Ltd, and others regarding a plea challenging the validity of two notifications that have prohibited the export of non-basmati white rice since July 20. The petition, filed by Rika Global Impex Ltd, also disputes a DGFT notification from September last year that allowed the export of 75,000 MT of non-basmati white rice to the United Arab Emirates only through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd.
Supreme Court seeks government's response on non-basmati rice export ban
The Supreme Court requested responses on a plea by Rika Global Impex Ltd. challenging bans on exporting non-basmati white rice. The court will examine claims that notifying restrictions opposed public interest and breached Foreign Trade Policy. The petitioner seeks to annul the notifications and gain export approval for previously acquired rice stock.
India allows additional 10,000 tonne of onion exports to UAE
India has authorized an extra 10,000 tonnes of onion exports to the UAE through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL), as stated in a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The government had previously allowed shipments of 14,400 tonnes to the emirates while extending the ban on onion exports until further notice, originally imposed from December 8, 2023, until March 31, 2024.
Govt exempts rice exports to some European nations from inspection certificate for 6 more months
India deferred the mandatory requirement of a certificate of inspection by export inspection agencies for shipping both basmati and non-basmati rice to certain European countries by six more months. EIC is the official export certification body of India which ensures quality and safety of products exported from India.
India allows non-Basmati white rice exports to Nepal, 5 African nations
Though exports of non-basmati white rice were banned on July 20 to boost domestic supply, exports are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to certain countries to meet their food security needs and on request.
Centre imposes minimum export price of $800 per tonne on onions till December 31
The DGFT notification indicates that the export poicy change will go into effect starting Sunday, October 29. The notification also laid out exceptions to the new regulation, stating that onions designated for export and already handed over to Customs are exempt as well shipments for which export duty has been paid before the notification was sent out.
Rice exports: Exporters who paid duties before ban notification can ship consignments
The government has clarified exporters who have paid the export duty before the issue of notification on the ban on rice exports on July 20 will be allowed to ship that consignment. On July 20, the government banned exports of non-basmati white rice to boost domestic supply.
DGFT changes import status of flat panel displays, camera modules to 'Free'
A DGFT notification dated February 9, and effective immediately, had said that the status of specific components, which were previously classified as ‘Free’, has been changed to ‘Restricted’. This had meant that shipments of key components such as flat panel displays and camera modules for smartphones were held up by customs since February 9. Industry executives had warned that handset factories will have to suspend production in the next couple of days if they aren’t cleared.
Govt allows import of potatoes from Bhutan till Jan 31, 2021
India on Friday allowed the import of fresh and chilled potatoes from Bhutan without any license, up to January 31, 2021. Their imports were restricted till now.
Face-shields, all PPE coveralls export banned; nylon, viscose mask export allowed
As per a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification, now PPEs- either as part of kits or individual items as medical coveralls, medical goggles, masks other than non-surgical/non-medical ones, nitrile/NBR gloves, and face shields- are prohibited for export.
India may ban import of mobile phones without radiation display
Industry executives present at the meeting expect notification to come within weeks since the new handset emission rules kick in from Sept 1, 2013.
Commerce ministry relaxes sugar export norms: Report
Ministry has liberalised export norms for sugar after the new rules it announced on Monday raised a storm of protest within the sugar industry.
Commerce Ministry asks sugar mills to register export contracts
The Commerce Ministry has asked sugar mills to register their contracts with it before making exports -- with a cap of 10,000 tonnes.
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