India Trade & Customs Updates: Key Changes Issued Between 09 to 15 August 2026

India’s trade and customs authorities issued several important regulatory updates during the week, covering wheat export quota utilisation, NBFC-linked inward remittance reporting and eBRC, trade-risk advisory, and customs tariff values.

Here’s a quick overview of the key developments and what businesses need to know.

1. CBIC Updates Customs Tariff Values

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued Notification No. 69/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 10 August 2026, substituting the tariff-value tables under Notification No. 36/2001-Customs (N.T.).

The notified tariff values for Crude Palm Oil, RBD Palm Oil, Palmolein, Crude Soybean Oil, and Brass Scrap remain unchanged.

Key tariff values notified include:

• Gold: USD 1,395 per 10 grams

• Silver: USD 2,076 per kilogram

• Areca Nuts: USD 10,785 per metric tonne

The notification came into force on 11 August 2026.

2. DGFT Reviews Wheat Export Quota Utilisation

Through Trade Notice No. 18/2026-27 dated 10 August 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced a review of the utilisation and re-allocation of the export quota for wheat under HS Codes 10011900 and 10019910.

Exporters who have already received wheat export authorisations are required to submit a Utilisation Certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant, indicating the quantity exported against the allocated authorisation up to 26 August 2026, along with relevant Shipping Bill details.

Exporters requiring additional wheat quantities must also provide justification for the requirement and copies of valid export contracts or purchase orders. The required information must be submitted by 31 August 2026.

Where more than 50% of the allocated quantity has been utilised, the exporter may be considered for further re-allocation. Where utilisation is below 50%, the unutilised quantity may be transferred to the common pool unless valid export contracts or purchase orders are provided.

Failure to submit the required information within the stipulated timeline may lead to re-allocation of the unutilised quota and may also affect future restricted export authorisations.

3. DGFT Advises Caution While Dealing With Two Bhutanese Firms

Through Trade Notice No. 19/2026-27 dated 11 August 2026, DGFT issued an advisory concerning two Bhutanese entities:

• M/s Legoy Powersports, Thimphu

• M/s Druk A-Z Store, Thimphu

The advisory follows a complaint involving these entities. DGFT stated that despite repeated efforts and follow-up communications through appropriate diplomatic and administrative channels, no substantive response had been received from the concerned firms or relevant authorities.

DGFT has therefore advised stakeholders to exercise enhanced caution and comprehensive due diligence before entering into commercial arrangements or transactions with these entities.

Stakeholders should also carefully assess the risk profile of proposed transactions and promptly report any adverse experience, payment-related issues, contractual disputes, or other relevant information to DGFT.

DGFT has clarified that the advisory is a precautionary measure based on the information presently available, intended to alert the trading community to potential risks associated with dealings involving these entities.

2. DGFT Proposes SOP for NBFC Factor Remittances and eBRC

DGFT issued Trade Notice No. 20/2026-27 dated 12 August 2026, inviting comments and suggestions on a Draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reporting Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) pertaining to NBFC Factors.

The proposed SOP aims to streamline the reporting of inward remittances relating to export transactions involving NBFC Factors and facilitate seamless self-generation of Electronic Bank Realisation Certificates (eBRCs).

Under the proposed procedure, NBFC Factors will use the specified “AD-AD(P0092) EXP FACTORING PROCEED” text in SWIFT messages while remitting factoring proceeds in foreign currency to AD-I Banks. This is intended to ensure that AD-I Banks do not create IRMs against foreign-currency funds received from Factors.

The enhanced system will facilitate the integration of remittance data associated with NBFC Factors, allowing exporters to view these IRMs on the DGFT portal and self-certify their eBRCs by matching remittance details with the corresponding invoice or Shipping Bill records.

DGFT has invited exporters, banking institutions, NBFC Factors, Export Promotion Councils, Trade Bodies and other stakeholders to submit their comments and suggestions within 30 days from the publication of the Trade Notice.

Conclusion

The trade and customs updates issued during the week highlight important developments across export quota management, digital remittance reconciliation, transaction due diligence, and customs valuation.

Wheat exporters should particularly take note of the 31 August 2026 submission deadline, while exporters using factoring arrangements should review the proposed NBFC Factor–IRM and eBRC mechanism. Businesses dealing with the identified Bhutanese entities should strengthen their due diligence, while importers should ensure that the latest notified tariff values are considered in their customs processes.

Keeping track of DGFT and CBIC notifications and acting on applicable deadlines can help businesses maintain compliance and avoid unnecessary disruptions in cross-border trade.