Newsletter V6 (11/7/25)

Your Guide To The Latest Insights, Trends, And Updates In The World Of Trade and Customs

Stay informed with this month’s key updates from DGFT, Customs, and related trade authorities. Below is a comprehensive roundup of critical policy changes, compliance alerts, and incentives relevant to Indian importers, exporters, and manufacturers.

TRADE AND POLICY UPDATES

1. Import Policy Amendment for Precious Metal Compounds

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has announced an immediate amendment to the import policy for items under Customs Tariff Heading (CTH) 2843.

Key updates:

• Revised Import Policy: The import policy for all items covered under CTH 2843, which includes colloidal precious metals, inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, and amalgams of precious metals, has been changed from "Free" to "Restricted".

• Immediate Effect: This amendment is effective immediately.

• Affected Items (Examples): This change impacts various gold and silver compounds, as well as other noble metal solutions

2. Import Policy Update for Platinum Group Metals

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued an amendment to the import policy for specific items under Chapter 71 of ITC (HS) 2022, with immediate effect.

Key details:

• Import Policy Status: The import policy for ITC (HS) codes 71102100, 71102900, 71103100, 71103900, 71104100, and 71104900 remains "Free". These codes cover unwrought or powder forms and other forms of Palladium, Rhodium, Iridium, Osmium, and Ruthenium.

• Restriction on Gold Alloys: However, the import of alloys of Palladium, Rhodium, and Iridium that contain more than 1% (one percent) gold by weight is "Restricted".

• Immediate Implementation: These changes are effective immediately.

3. Amendment to Export Policy for Pharma Grade Sugar

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended the export policy for Pharma Grade Sugar under Chapter 17 of Schedule-II (Export Policy), ITC (HS) 2022, with immediate effect.

Key updates:

• Permitted Exports: Export of Pharma Grade Sugar is now permitted up to a total of 25,000 MTs per financial year.

• Authorization Required: This is allowed for bonafide Pharma Exporters against a "Restricted Export Authorization".

• Conditions for Export: Exporters must meet the following safeguards:

  • Possess a valid drug manufacturing license from the concerned State Licensing Authority.

  • Provide necessary test reports and certification from NABL accredited laboratories confirming compliance with Pharma Grade Sugar specifications at the time of actual exports.

• Existing Restrictions Remain: The existing "Restricted" policy for other types of sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar, Refined Sugar, and Organic Sugar) remains in effect, requiring specific permission from the Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).

• EU and USA TRQ Exports: Exports to the EU under CXL Quota and to the USA under TRQ remain subject to existing conditions and quantitative ceilings.

• UK TRQ Exports: Exports to the UK under TRQ will continue to be operated by APEDA, New Delhi, as the implementing agency

4. Port Restrictions on Imports from Bangladesh to India

The Central Government has introduced new port restrictions, effective immediately, on the import of certain goods from Bangladesh to India.

Key restrictions:

• Goods Affected: This includes items such as Flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock), Jute and other textile bast fibers, raw or retted, Jute (excluding flax, true hemp and ramie), Single flax yarn, Single yarn of jute or of other textile bast fibers, Multiple folded, and Woven fabrics of flax and jute.

• Land Port Prohibition: Import of these goods from Bangladesh will not be permitted through any land port on the India-Bangladesh Border.

• Sea Port Exemption: However, import of these goods is allowed only through Nhava Sheva Seaport.

• Transit to Nepal/Bhutan: These restrictions do not apply to Bangladesh exports transiting through India to Nepal or Bhutan.

• Re-export Restriction: Re-export of the aforementioned Bangladesh goods to India from Nepal/Bhutan is not allowed

5. Mandatory Registration for Plastic Raw Material Importers

Customs authorities are instructed to verify the registration of plastic raw material importers on the 'Centralized EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging' during consignment clearance.

Key points:

• Definition of Importer: As per the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (dated March 14, 2024), an "Importer" is defined as any person who imports for commercial use:

  • Plastic packaging.

  • Any commodity with plastic packaging.

  • Carry bags or plastic sheets or similar materials.

  • Plastic raw material, including resin or pellets.

  • Intermediate material used for manufacturing plastic packaging (e.g., films or preforms).

• Registration Requirement: All such importers must be registered on the EPR Plastic Portal as per Section 6 of the EPR Guidelines.

• Purpose: This instruction reinforces previous communications requesting the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs to ensure importers of plastic packaging are registered on the Centralized EPR Portal.

6. Quantitative Restrictions Extended on Low Ash Metallurgical Coke Imports

The Central Government has extended the existing country-wise quantitative restrictions on the import of "Low Ash Metallurgical Coke" (HS Codes 27040020, 27040030, 27040040, 27040090).

Key details:

• Extension Period: The restrictions are extended for an additional six months, from July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

• Affected Countries & Quotas:

  • Australia: 51,276 MT (25,638 MT per quarter)

  • China PR: 78,646 MT (39,323 MT per quarter)

  • Colombia: 249,771 MT (124,886 MT per quarter)

  • Indonesia: 66,364 MT (33,182 MT per quarter)

  • Japan: 209,980 MT (104,990 MT per quarter)

  • Poland: 506,336 MT (253,168 MT per quarter)

  • Qatar: 1,620 MT (810 MT per quarter)

  • Russia: 89,182 MT (44,591 MT per quarter)

  • Singapore: 46,478 MT (23,239 MT per quarter)

7. Minimum Import Price (MIP) Condition Extended for Soda Ash Imports

The Central Government has extended the Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition on the import of Soda Ash (Disodium Carbonate).

Key details:

• Extension Period: The MIP condition is extended for a further period of six months, from July 1, 2025, up to December 31, 2025.

• Affected HS Codes: This extension applies to HS Codes 28362010, 28362020, and 28362090.

• MIP Rate: The Minimum Import Price is set at ₹20,108 per metric ton.