Updates
Policy moves, disruptions and the latest developments across global trade.
From 1 Nov 2026, CBIC Notification No. 03/2026-Central Tax (26 Oct) commences Sections 153-155 of the Finance Act 2026: 90% provisional refunds extend to inverted-duty-structure claims, the ₹1,000 minimum refund floor is removed for IGST-paid goods exports, and post-sale discount/credit-note rules are eased.
India's DGTR has recommended continuing the anti-dumping duty — reported at about USD 268/MT — on seamless steel pipes, tubes and hollow profiles from China for a further five years, following a sunset review. The current duty is set to lapse on 27 January 2027; a CBIC notification would make the continuation binding.
Public Notice No. 126/2026 from JNCH (Nhava Sheva), dated 7 Oct 2026, confirms that exports under the Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) scheme are not eligible for RoDTEP, and directs exporters who wrongly availed the benefit (Mar 2024–Sep 2026) to repay it with any applicable interest within 30 days. Affected IECs must act now.
DGFT Trade Notice No. 31/2026-27 (21 Oct 2026) advises Indian exporters, EPCs, banks and ECGC to exercise heightened caution and due diligence in dealings with M/s Julfikar Fashions Ltd (Bangladesh) after an unresolved quality/trade dispute. It is a precaution, not a ban — the firm is not on any prohibited list.
Beyond the electrical-appliances QCO, several other BIS Quality Control Orders became mandatory in October 2026 — hand tools (wrenches, spanners, pliers), wrought-aluminium utensils, aluminium beverage cans, and HDPE/PP woven and laminated sacks. From 1 and 6 Oct 2026, covered goods need BIS certification and the ISI mark to be imported or sold in India.
India's merchandise exports rose 23.04% year-on-year to US$44.40 billion in September 2026, with the merchandise trade deficit narrowing to US$30.21 billion from US$33 billion a year earlier (data released 15 Oct 2026). Overall exports (goods + services) hit a record Q2, giving exporters a strong read-through on demand.
The 57th GST Council (Oct 2026) recommended removing the 'distinct person' bar and IGST Sec 13(3)(a) from the export-of-services rules — potentially letting overseas-branch and India-based testing/repair services qualify as exports. Input-service inverted-duty refunds apply from 1 Nov 2026.
DGFT Trade Notice No. 31/2026-27 (21 Oct 2026) advises Indian exporters and trade stakeholders to exercise heightened due diligence in dealings with M/s Julfikar Fashions Limited, Mirpur, Bangladesh, after an unresolved quality-control and trade-dispute complaint. The advisory is precautionary.
The Ministry of Textiles has extended the RoSCTL scheme for exports of apparel, garments and made-ups from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026 (F. No. 12015/12/2026-TTP(Pt.1), 30 Sep 2026), keeping the rebate terms unchanged. Garment and made-up exporters retain their state-and-central levy rebate through the festive quarter.
US CBP has extended the mandatory start of its "Entry Type 13" electronic informal-entry process for international mail from 22 Oct 2026 to 20 Jan 2027 — a 90-day reprieve. The $800 de minimis suspension and duties on postal parcels still stand; only the ACE filing deadline moves.
CDSCO has clarified that a separate export NOC is not required for approved recombinant-DNA (r-DNA) drugs exported under a new brand name, where the approved composition, specifications and strength are unchanged. Eligible biologics exporters can apply directly to the State Licensing Authority via the online system — cutting a step for pharma shipments.
DGFT Trade Notice No. 31/2026-27 (21 Oct 2026) advises Indian exporters, EPCs, banks and ECGC to exercise heightened due diligence in dealings with Bangladesh-based M/s Julfikar Fashions Limited, following an unresolved trade-dispute complaint and the firm's non-response. It is a precautionary advisory; the firm is not on any prohibited list.
In late October 2026 CBIC turned the 57th GST Council's recommendations into law: Notification 05/2026-Central Tax automates refunds (90% provisional, 10-day acknowledgement) and eight circulars (257–264/2026-GST) clarify registration, ITC, export proceeds and Rule 96(10). Most changes take effect 1 November 2026, the simplified RFD-01 from 1 December — with some reforms still pending.
The 57th GST Council (8 Oct 2026) recommended faster refunds — acknowledgement in 10 days, 90% sanctioned on risk basis, orders in 3 working days — plus refunds on plant & machinery, decriminalisation and a higher prosecution threshold. Changes take effect only via CBIC notifications.
Adani Airport Holdings has reportedly restricted acceptance of Russia-bound air cargo booked on Aeroflot and OFAC-designated Volga-Dnepr at Mumbai, citing US sanctions. Reports put stranded freight (pharma, machinery, spares) at roughly 15 to 150 tonnes with demurrage mounting. Exporters shipping to Russia via Mumbai should re-route.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal announced on 7 Oct 2026 a new FTA Utilisation Cell to help businesses tap India's trade pacts — EFTA TEPA, the UK CETA (in force since 15 July) and the coming EU deal. Working with Export Promotion Councils, industry bodies and states, it aims to turn signed agreements into actual preferential-tariff uptake.
Around 6 Oct 2026, DGTR launched five anti-dumping investigations covering persulphates, clavulanic acid, counterbalance forklifts, internally grooved copper tubes and caprolactam — mainly from China, plus the EU, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia and the US. A separate countervailing probe targets the copper tubes.
DGFT Public Notice No. 31/2026-27 (30 Sep 2026) again extends the timeline for holders to surrender unutilised Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocated for the import of 10 lakh MT of raw sugar. It affects TRQ allottees who could not use their full quota and gives them more time to hand back the balance.
Through Trade Notice No. 27/2026-27 (14 Sep 2026), DGFT has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of India's non-preferential rules of origin by amending Para 2.93 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023. The draft sets clear origin tests — substantial transformation beyond 'simple operations', change in tariff heading or 35% value addition — and keeps Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin issuance online via trade.gov.in, with self-certification for status-holder manufacturers.
India's DGTR has initiated seven anti-dumping investigations through separate notifications issued between 23 and 28 September 2026, covering Chinese imports of pharma APIs (Penicillin G, 6-APA, Amoxycillin Trihydrate, Montelukast Sodium), a rubber tackifier resin, elevator guide rails and copolymer polyol. The 6-APA probe also covers the EU. Importers of these goods face possible provisional duties.