Regulations, news, guides & documentation — everything an exporter or importer needs.
A run of typhoons has closed and congested major Chinese ports, pushing Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index up for five straight weeks to $1,312 per 40ft as of early September 2026. Shanghai–Nhava Sheva spot rates jumped about 26% to $2,970 and vessel waiting times climbed. Indian importers sourcing from China, Vietnam and East Asia should build in buffers ahead of the festival season.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to large operators from 30 December 2026 (and to small operators from 30 June 2027). Indian exporters of coffee, leather, rubber, wood, cocoa, soy and palm-oil products to the EU must provide geolocation-based due diligence proving goods are deforestation-free — even though India is rated "low risk."
India's list of upcoming BIS Quality Control Orders shows HDPE/PP woven sacks for cement packaging (IS 11652, IS 17399, IS 16709) becoming mandatory from 6 October 2026, plus a wide QCO for household/commercial electrical appliances (IS 302 Part 1). Importers and manufacturers must hold valid BIS certification before enforcement.
Monsoon disruption, tight carrier capacity, equipment shortages and redirected cargo are straining Nhava Sheva/JNPA, with import-container evacuation reportedly exceeding seven days in cases. Traders should build in buffers and watch for congestion surcharges through September 2026.
India's DGTR has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into Nylon 6 chips and granules (RV below 3) from China and Russia (4 Sep 2026) and an anti-absorption probe on existing anti-dumping duty on glufosinate from China (1 Sep 2026). Importers of these inputs should assess exposure to possible new or higher duties.
DGFT Notifications No. 34/2026-27 and 35/2026-27 (24 August 2026) move wheat and wheat-flour products (atta, maida, sooji, wholemeal) from 'Prohibited' to 'Free' with immediate effect — reopening a major export line for grain traders and millers after years of curbs.
DGFT Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27 (5 Aug 2026) removes the need to submit physical duty-payment challans when closing Advance Authorisation and EPCG cases. For voluntary duty paid on or after 1 Aug 2026, licence-wise payment data flows automatically from ICEGATE into DGFT's system via API, cutting paperwork and closure delays.
CBIC Circular No. 36/2026-Customs (20 Aug 2026) continues facilitative transhipment measures for international cargo disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz closure — permitting FCL/LCL and bulk cargo diverted to Indian ports to be stored and re-exported without home-consumption clearance. In force to 31 October 2026.
CBIC Circular No. 28/2026-Customs lets Customs accept exporters' NABL- or EPC-accredited test reports for export consignments without mandatorily sending samples to Revenue (CRCL) laboratories, where there is no risk-based intervention — cutting duplicate testing and clearance delays. Import-sample testing is unchanged.
DGFT Public Notice No. 18/2026-27 (1 July 2026) automatically extends the validity of FY2025-26 TRQ authorisations for duty-concession gold imports under the India–UAE CEPA from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026. No fresh application, fee or endorsement is needed. Holders should complete imports before the new cut-off.
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
A practical walkthrough of the import customs clearance process in India — from advance Bill of Entry filing on ICEGATE through assessment, examination, duty payment, and Out of Charge, plus common delays and how to avoid them.
A plain-English guide to the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) — what it is, why it's mandatory for exporters in India, who needs it, the documents and ₹500 fee, how to apply on the DGFT portal, and the mandatory annual updation that keeps it active in 2026.
A guide to the government schemes supporting India's chemical and pharmaceutical cluster exports — PLI for Bulk Drugs, PLI for Pharmaceuticals, Bulk Drug Parks, PRIP, SPI and PCPIR — plus Pharmexcil and Chemexcil membership, the RELIEF intervention, and the GMP compliance layer that governs regulated-market access.