India Simplifies Verification of High-Capacity Weighing Instruments Under Legal Metrology Rules
In a major Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) initiative, the Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 to simplify the verification process for high-capacity weighing instruments such as weighbridges and industrial scales.
India Exempts Temporary Import of Animals for Shows and Public Events Under UK Trade Pact
As part of the implementation of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), India will exempt certain animals temporarily imported for shows, exhibitions, and public events from Customs Duty and Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) with effect from 15 July 2026.
CBIC Introduces Provisional Guarantee Requirement for Imports of Insoluble Sulphur from China
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has issued Instruction No. 12/2026-Customs dated 3 July 2026, directing customs authorities to obtain a provisional financial guarantee from importers of Insoluble Sulphur originating in or exported from China.
DGFT Introduces Investigation Procedure for Forced Labour Imports: What Importers Need to Know
India has strengthened its trade compliance framework by introducing a formal procedure for investigating whether imported goods are produced using forced labour.
Steel Tube Importers Face Continued Anti-Dumping Duty as Government Extends Validity on Chinese Seamless Tubes
The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, has amended the anti-dumping duty notification governing imports of Seamless Tubes, and other Iron, Alloy or Non-Alloy Steel products, originating in or exported from China PR. The amendment inserts a new paragraph into the principal notification to explicitly extend the validity of the existing anti-dumping duty, ensuring the duty remains in force while the underlying review process is completed, rather than lapsing on its own.
Indian Exporters Get Zero-Duty Access to UK Market as India–UK CETA Enters Into Force
The India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), together with the Agreement on Social Security (Double Contribution Convention), has formally entered into force. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry confirmed that the Agreement provides zero-duty market access for nearly 99% of India’s exports to the UK, with trade facilitation measures, including a new digital Certificate of Origin process, already operational to let exporters claim benefits from day one.
Essilor Group Gets Fresh Dumping-Margin Review as DGTR Reopens Anti-Dumping Probe on Chinese Ophthalmic Lenses
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Department of Commerce, has initiated a remand proceeding in the anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of Semi-Finished Ophthalmic Lenses originating in or exported from China PR. The proceeding follows a direction from the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) to reconsider how the Essilor Group’s dumping margin was determined in the original 2022 findings, and reopens the case specifically for that limited purpose.
DGFT Bans Import of Goods Made Using Forced Labour, Inserting New Para 2.20B and Para 11.64 in FTP 2023
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has amended the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 to prohibit the import of goods produced or manufactured using forced labour. The amendment inserts a new Para 2.20B establishing the prohibition and enquiry mechanism, along with a new Para 11.64 defining “Forced Labour” in Chapter 11 of the FTP.
DGFT Import Licence for Servers in India: A Guide for Importers
India’s digital economy continues to expand, with sustained investment in data centres, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence computing, enterprise IT systems, fintech platforms, and large-scale digital transformation initiatives. Servers form the foundation of this infrastructure.
SEZ Units Get More Time to Utilize Duty-Free Goods as Government Extends BLUT Compliance Timeline
In a significant compliance relief for businesses operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has amended the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006, extending the timeline for SEZ units to utilize or account for duty-free imported or procured goods under the Bond-cum-Legal Undertaking (BLUT).