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Duty-free entry for low-value parcels is disappearing in India's biggest markets. The US ended its $800 de minimis exemption for most imports, with CBP running a voluntary Entry Type 13 test for mail shipments up to $2,500 from 22 September 2026 and a per-parcel fee due by 1 November. The EU scrapped its €150 duty exemption on 1 July 2026. A corridor read for Indian e-commerce exporters and forwarders.
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.
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.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said (4 Sep 2026) India will sign a trade deal with the US only once Washington offers a preferential tariff rate that keeps Indian exporters ahead of competitors. A corridor read on what the sticking point means for India-to-USA shippers and how to plan while talks continue.
In early September 2026, Asia–Europe spot rates eased as lines gradually returned to Suez, adding capacity into softening demand. Drewry's WCI held near $4,465/40ft while Shanghai–Rotterdam slipped ~5% to ~$4,092. A corridor read for India-to-Europe exporters on what the shift means for cost, capacity and contracting.
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."
Since 1 January 2026 the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive phase: EU importers of iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity must surrender certificates for verified embedded emissions. Indian exporters must supply verified emissions data or risk higher costs and lost EU orders.
India's food-import regime has tightened in 2026: Foreign Food Manufacturing Facility (FFMF) registration on ReFoM is now mandatory for high-risk categories, prior intimation via FICS is required before consignments arrive, and from 1 May 2026 all imported-food testing must use FSSAI-approved methods. A practical briefing for food importers and CHAs.
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.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to normal commercial traffic through 2026, India–Gulf trade faces higher freight, war-risk and bunker surcharges, longer transit via the Cape, and energy-supply pressure. A corridor read for exporters and importers on the India–UAE and India–Saudi Arabia lanes.
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.
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.
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.
DGFT Notification No. 30/2026-27 amends FTP 2023 so that eligible export proceeds realised in Indian rupees through prescribed banking channels count fully towards export incentives, benefits and export-obligation fulfilment — removing a long-standing ambiguity for rupee-settled trade.
DPIIT's Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 3417(E), 25 June 2026) exempts imports from a new QCO if the goods were dispatched or ordered before the QCO's start date and the Bill of Entry is filed within 180 days. Key with fresh QCO deadlines landing in September 2026.
With the Red Sea diversion now past 1,000 days, most carriers still route India–Europe cargo around the Cape of Good Hope — adding 10–14 days and keeping rates well above pre-crisis levels. A corridor read for exporters shipping to Germany, the Netherlands and wider Europe on cost, timing and mitigation.
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.
CBIC's Notification No. 73/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 1 September 2026 (SCMTR Third Amendment) pushes the specified Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment compliance date to 31 October 2026 — buying shipping lines, forwarders and CHAs more transition time on advance manifest filing.
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.