Insights on Indian customs, freight, and trade policy
Practical knowledge from a decade of clearing shipments at India's busiest ports. Port-specific guides, scheme deep-dives, and quarterly DGFT policy updates.
Weekly Trade Recap: UK CETA Documentation, Sugar Bans, and Port Expansions
CBIC relaxes CAROTAR Form-I rules for UK CETA imports, DGFT imposes strict prohibitions on sugar exports, and four major gateways earn mega-port status.
CBIC Speeds Up AEO, New PoE at Jaipur, and DGFT Slashes Pre-Shipment Timelines
CBIC moves towards time-bound AEO processing and notifies Jaipur ICD for food imports, while DGFT cuts PSIC turnaround to 48 hours and eases RCMC rules.
CBIC Mandates BIS for Screen Protectors & Tightens Chemical Import Permits
CBIC mandates BIS registration for smartphone screen protectors and enforces strict import permits for insecticide-listed industrial chemicals.
CBIC Insecticide Permit Mandate and RoDTEP Scheme Extension
CBIC mandates import permits for scheduled chemicals imported for non-insecticidal use, while DGFT extends the RoDTEP scheme through December 31.
RoDTEP Extended to December 2026; Mundra Depot Crisis Resolved
DGFT extends RoDTEP through December 31, 2026 across DTA, AA, SEZ, and EOU units, while Mundra resolves its off-dock empty depot dispute.
Mundra Depot Codes Restored; India-UK CETA Form-I Clarified
Mundra empty yard operations normalize as depot codes are restored, while CBIC waives mandatory Form-I filing for India-UK CETA tariff claims.
Scrap Clearance Alert: DGFT De-Lists 15 PSIAs; India-UK Origin Ease
DGFT withdraws 15 Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies creating metal scrap clearance risks, while CBIC drops origin check sheets for India-UK trade.
CBIC Drops Origin Check Sheet Requirement for India-UK CETA Cargo
CBIC has instructed customs field formations to eliminate mandatory Form-I Origin Check Sheets for India-UK CETA cargo backed by valid Origin Declarations.
CBIC Waives Form-I for UK CETA Origin Proof; Mundra Depot Stir Resolves
CBIC rules that UK CETA origin declarations override CAROTAR Form-I, while Mundra resolves empty box depot strikes to unclog gateway evacuation.
CBIC Clarifies CAROTAR vs CETA Rules; Scrap Inspectors Delisted
CBIC confirms bilateral FTA terms override domestic CAROTAR provisions, while DGFT derecognises 15 pre-shipment inspection agencies for metal scrap.
Textile Export Rules Tighten; Mega Ports Notified at Mundra & Paradip
CBIC mandates additional qualifiers for textile exports from November 1; Centre notifies India's first Mega Ports including Mundra and Paradip.
CBIC Deferred Duty for Manufacturers and Edible Oil Tariffs Slashed
CBIC rolls out deferred customs duty payments for eligible manufacturer importers, while the Centre slashes basic customs duty on major edible oils.
CBIC Section 28AAA Scrip Norms and Draft Warehousing Rules 2026
CBIC clarifies Section 28AAA recovery jurisdictions for DGFT scrips, while publishing the Draft Warehousing Operations Regulations, 2026.
Sugar Exports Prohibited Till Sept 2026; CBIC Clarifies Section 28AAA
DGFT shifts sugar exports from restricted to prohibited through September 2026, while CBIC streamlines adjudication for fraudulently obtained scrips under Section 28AAA.
CBIC Revamps Warehousing Norms; DGFT Prohibits Sugar Exports Through Sept 2026
CBIC drafts Warehousing Operations Regulations 2026 to tighten compliance, while DGFT reclassifies sugar exports as 'Prohibited' until September 2026.
India-China Trade Shifts and Metal Recycling Reforms Accelerate
Indian exports to China surge 40% amid shifting flows, while the Mines Ministry readies fast-track regulatory overhauls for metal recycling.
US Tariff Threats on Indian Textiles & Red Sea Security Risks
US trade sanctions threaten Indian garment exports while Red Sea escalation prompts energy cargo protection requests.
India-NZ Trade Deal Set for October; US Sanctions Hit Russian Oil Trade
India and New Zealand finalise a comprehensive trade pact effective October, while new US secondary sanctions target Russian crude buyers and shadow fleets.
Tughlakabad ICD (TKD) Customs Clearance — A Practical Guide for Delhi NCR Exporters
TKD is the customs gateway for Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad. Walks through Shipping Bill filing, RoDTEP claims, EPCG redemption, FTP advisory, and the operational quirks that catch first-time NCR exporters.
ICEGATE & e-Sanchit Complete Walkthrough (2026) — Everything Indian Importers Must Know
IEC registration, AD Code linking, BoE/SB filing on ICEGATE 2.0, e-Sanchit IRN workflow, ledger reconciliation, common errors that delay clearance. The end-to-end walkthrough as it actually works in 2026.
RoDTEP Scheme 2026 — Maximising Export Refunds for Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan & MP Exporters
2026 RoDTEP rates by HS code, how to claim correctly via ICEGATE, scrip utilisation strategy, region-specific opportunities for North and West Indian exporters.
AEO Certification in India — Tier-1, Tier-2, Tier-3 Explained for 2026 Exporters & Importers
What Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status actually does for Indian exporters and importers — facilitation benefits at each tier, the application workflow, timelines and what catches first-time applicants.
Lithium Battery Imports to India — 2026 Compliance Checklist (BIS CRS · UN 38.3 · DG Class 9)
Lithium-ion battery and EV cell imports into India have layered compliance: BIS CRS, UN 38.3 testing, IATA-DGR / IMDG shipping rules, and the new ALMM-equivalent benchmarking. A practical checklist for 2026.
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