CBIC Extends Penalty-Free Transition Window for Sea Cargo Electronic Filing to 31 August 2026
India’s nationwide rollout of electronic sea cargo messaging under the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations (SCMTR), 2018 has crossed a critical threshold. As of 1 July 2026, nearly all prescribed message types are fully operational across all customs locations. Only Import Transshipment (ITP) messages remain pending.
India Tightens Scrutiny of Chinese Herbicide Imports: CBIC Orders Additional Guarantee on Glufosinate Pending Anti-Absorption Probe
India has further strengthened its trade enforcement measures by introducing additional safeguards on Glufosinate and its salts imported from China. As per CBIC Instruction No. 13/2026-Customs dated 3 July 2026, customs authorities across India have been directed to undertake provisional assessment of imports and obtain an additional guarantee of USD 7.04 per kilogram from importers while the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) completes its anti-absorption investigation.
Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026: A Faster, No-Audit Route to BIS Licensing
DPIITs Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 lets Indian importers sponsor a restricted BIS license for overseas manufacturers across 10 QCOs – toys, footwear, ACs, water heaters, washing machines, hinges, furniture, and more – without a factory audit.
DGFT Overhauls TRACE Reimbursement Under Export Promotion Mission – MSME-Tiered Support Up to 95%
DGFT Trade Notice 09/2026-27 replaces the flat 25 lakh TRACE reimbursement with MSME-tiered support up to 95%, a two-instalment claim process tied to export evidence, and a consolidated 462-entry list of eligible international certifications.
DGFT to Review & Re-Allocate Wheat Flour Export Quota – Respond by 10 July 2026
DGFT Trade Notice 08/2026-27 requires wheat flour export quota holders to submit a CA utilization certificate and any additional or surrender requests by 10 July 2026; quota utilized under 50% may be moved to a common pool for reallocation.
DGFT Extends TRQ Authorisation Validity for Gold Imports Under India-UAE CEPA
DGFT Public Notice 18/2026-27 automatically extends the validity of FY 2025-26 TRQ Authorisations for gold imports (CTH 7108) under the India-UAE CEPA from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026 – no application or fee required.
DGFT Relaxes NFMIMS Registration Deadline for Copper & Aluminium Imports
DGFT Notification 22/2026-27 lets copper and aluminium importers complete NFMIMS registration any time before the Customs Out of Charge order, instead of before the consignments arrival – easing import compliance.
Delay in MeitY Consent to BIS Disrupts India’s Electronics & IT Supply Chain
India’s push to become a global electronics manufacturing hub has been accelerating — but a procedural bottleneck is quietly straining the supply chains of companies that source products from China or rely on Chinese ODMs. The culprit: delays in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) granting prior consent for BIS registration applications under CRS Scheme-II.
A Bold Step Towards Ease of Compliance: Welcoming the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026
India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry has issued the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 — a landmark regulatory move that creates a formal transition pathway for businesses struggling to complete BIS Scheme-II certification under 10 live QCOs covering toys, footwear, furniture, electrical appliances, and more.
Linear Alkyl Benzene QCO Temporarily Suspended: What Manufacturers and Importers Need to Know
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has suspended the Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Order, 2022 for three months — from 1 July to 30 September 2026 — citing global supply chain disruptions. The QCO returns in full force on 1 October 2026.