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September 2026
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Foreign TradeRoSCTL scheme for apparel, garments and made-ups extended for three months, 1 October to 31 December 2026, at existing rates
RoSCTL till 31 December 2026ExtendedThe Ministry of Textiles has extended the RoSCTL Scheme for exports of apparel/garments and made-ups for a further three months, from 1 October to 31 December 2026, at the existing rates and under the prevailing guidelines. The Ministry says the Scheme benefited more than 15,400 exporters during 2025–26, most of them MSMEs.
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CustomsSAED on diesel exports cut to ₹16 per litre and on ATF exports to ₹10.5 per litre from 1 October 2026: Notifications 52 and 53/2026-Central Excise
Diesel ₹16, ATF ₹10.5 per litreReliefTwo Central Excise notifications dated 30 September 2026 revise the Special Additional Excise Duty on exports of diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel with effect from 1 October 2026: diesel from ₹20 to ₹16 per litre and ATF from ₹15 to ₹10.5 per litre. The notifications issued since 3 August show the rate on diesel falling from ₹24 and on ATF from ₹22.
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Foreign TradeRoDTEP scheme continued up to 31 December 2026 at existing rates and value caps: DGFT Notification No. 41/2026-27
RoDTEP till 31 Dec 2026ExtendedDGFT has notified that the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme will continue up to 31 December 2026 for exports by DTA units, Advance Authorisation holders, SEZ units and EOUs. The rates and value caps in Appendix 4R and Appendix 4RE, as applicable on 30 September 2026, stay unchanged.
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CustomsSurat rough-diamond Special Notified Zone to shift to Surat Diamond Bourse, Khajod: CBIC Circular 44/2026-Customs
SNZ at Surat Diamond BourseNew facilityCBIC has allowed a Special Notified Zone for rough diamonds at Surat International Diatrade Centre, 2nd Floor, Tower-B, Surat Diamond Bourse, Khajod. Imports only by air cargo, re-packing of lots within 60 days and export of unsold lots within 75 days of import. The old SNZ at Gujarat Hira Bourse, Ichhapore is to be de-notified after the new one starts.
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CustomsIndia–UK CETA: importers need not file Form-I with the Bill of Entry to claim preferential duty, CBIC clarifies
No Form-I at filingClarifiedCircular 43/2026-Customs says a valid Origin Declaration by the UK exporter is the proof of origin, Form-I under CAROTAR is not a precondition, and an earlier denial cannot be applied to later imports without hearing the importer.
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CustomsCampbell Bay and Car Nicobar notified as customs ports for imports and exports: Notification 76/2026-Customs (N.T.)
Two new ports in A&N IslandsNew facilityCBIC has added Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar to the list of customs ports in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar. Under Notification No. 76/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 23 September 2026, both are appointed for unloading of imported goods and loading of export goods, or any class of such goods.
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FEMA & RBIExim Bank’s ₹4,850 crore line of credit to Maldives: at least 75% of contract value to be supplied from India, no agency commission — A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 22
₹4,850 crore LoC to MaldivesNew facilityRBI has notified the terms of the Government of India supported Line of Credit of ₹4,850 crore extended by Exim Bank to the Government of Maldives for developmental projects. The agreement is effective from 27 August 2026. Goods, works and services worth at least 75% of the contract price must be supplied from India, and no agency commission is payable on exports under the LoC.
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Foreign TradeIndia–New Zealand FTA enters into force on 20 October 2026; zero duty on all Indian exports from day one
20 October 2026New facilityEvery tariff line covering India’s exports to New Zealand becomes duty-exempt on entry into force. Dairy, sugar and edible oils stay excluded from India’s concessions.
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CustomsICD Dhanakya, Jaipur added as a point of entry for food imports; list now has 172 points — CBIC Instruction 16/2026-Customs
172 food import entry pointsNew facilityFSSAI, by a notification dated 15 September 2026, has notified authorised officers at ICD Dhanakya, Jaipur (port code INDNK6) in addition to the 171 points of entry already specified for food imports. CBIC has circulated the updated list of 172 points of entry and their authorised officers through Instruction No. 16/2026-Customs.
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SEBISEBI extends Samuhik Prativedan Manch common reporting platform to clearing members who are also stock brokers; first phase proposed from 30 September 2026
14 reports, one platformNew facilitySEBI, in consultation with Clearing Corporations, is extending the Samuhik Prativedan Manch — the common reporting platform for stock brokers — to members of Clearing Corporations who are also stock brokers. The first phase, proposed from 30 September 2026, covers 14 compliance reports, about 60% of their reporting requirements. Around 1066 clearing members stand to benefit.
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Foreign TradeExport consignments up to ₹3,00,000 no longer need an RCMC
₹3,00,000ReliefA new paragraph 2.57(c) in the Foreign Trade Policy exempts low-value export consignments from the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate requirement, with immediate effect. It is aimed at postal and courier exports.
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FSSAIFood sample analysis: reports within 14 days, import samples within 5 days from 1 April 2027 — FSS (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2026
Reports in 14 days; imports in 5Rule changeFSSAI has amended the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011. From 1 April 2027, the Food Analyst must issue a signed report within fourteen days of receiving a regulatory sample, the referral laboratory within fourteen days in appeal, and the notified or referral laboratory within five days for import samples. New regulations on the method of analysis are added, and Forms A and B are omitted.
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Foreign TradeDGFT proposes to rewrite Para 2.93 of the Handbook of Procedures on non-preferential Rules of Origin, for exports and imports: Trade Notice 27/2026-27
Comments within 15 daysComments invitedDGFT has published a draft Public Notice that would replace Para 2.93 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 so that it prescribes non-preferential Rules of Origin for both exports and imports. For imports, the draft proposes origin by change in tariff heading or 35% value addition, declared by the importer through a self-declaration. Comments are invited within 15 days.
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CustomsPlastic packaging imports: Customs to accept EPR certificates showing one-year validity as one-time registration — CBIC Instruction 15/2026-Customs
EPR certificate: no renewalReliefCBIC has asked Customs officers to clear consignments of plastic packaging, goods in plastic packaging, plastic raw material and intermediate material on verification of the importer’s EPR registration certificate. Certificates that show a one-year validity are to be treated as one-time registration certificates that need no renewal, and accepted as valid proof of EPR registration.
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Trademark & IPDesign applications: First Examination Reports to be sent only by e-mail from 2 October 2026; postal dispatch ordinarily stops
Design FER: e-mail onlyNew facilityThe Office of the CGPDTM has notified that, from 2 October 2026, First Examination Reports in design applications will ordinarily be communicated only to the e-mail address given in Form-1 under “Address for Service in India”. Physical dispatch by post is ordinarily discontinued from that date.
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CustomsImporting cosmetics, drugs or medical devices: Customs to check CDSCO documents before out-of-charge — upload them on e-SANCHIT
7 checklistsAction neededCircular 40/2026-Customs circulates seven CDSCO checklists of licences, permissions and registration certificates that the Customs officer is to verify before releasing such imports, while their integration under SWIFT 2.0 is in process.
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FEMA & RBIRBI drops two reports on Rupee accounts of non-resident banks: yearly branch list and overdrawal reporting dispensed with — A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20
Two FEMA reports droppedReliefBy A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20 dated 2 September 2026, RBI has dispensed with two reporting requirements on Rupee accounts of non-resident banks that dated from April 2003: the annual list of branches maintaining such accounts, and the report of temporary overdrawals not adjusted within five days. The change applies with immediate effect.
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CustomsSea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018 go live port by port from 1 September 2026; no penal action in the roll-out phase — CBIC Circular 38/2026-Customs
SCMTR: all ports by 15 OctAction neededCBIC has made the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018 operational from 1 September 2026 in a phased manner. Goa and Bombay started on 1 September; Chennai follows on 9 October, and Nhava Sheva and all remaining ports on 15 October 2026. No penal action is to be taken during the implementation phase.
August 2026
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SEBISEBI aligns its Cyber Incident Reporting Portal with the FIRE format: portal to take incident reports in stages, from first report to closure
Cyber reports in FIRE formatAction neededSEBI has aligned its Incident Reporting Portal with the Format for Incident Reporting Exchange (FIRE) developed by the Financial Stability Board. Regulated entities report cyber incidents through the Cyber Incident Reporting Portal at siportal.sebi.gov.in, which will facilitate reporting in stages from initial report to final closure. The existing timelines — email within 6 hours and portal within 24 hours — are restated.
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Foreign TradeExport proceeds can be realised in any foreign currency or in Indian Rupees; rupee realisations get FTP benefits — Paras 2.52 and 2.53 amended by DGFT Notification 30/2026-27
Rupee exports get FTP benefitsRule changeDGFT has rewritten Paras 2.52 and 2.53 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Export contracts and invoices (other than with ACU member countries) may be denominated in foreign currency or Indian Rupees, and proceeds realised in either. Exports realised in rupees through rupee accounts of non-residents qualify for export benefits and export obligation, at par with foreign currency.
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