India Trade & Customs Updates: Key Changes Issued Between 27 September to 03 October 2026

The period from 27 September to 03 October 2026 saw several important developments across India’s customs, foreign trade, export promotion and indirect tax framework. Notifications and circulars issued by the DGFT and CBIC covered areas such as RoDTEP continuation, Minimum Import Price conditions, customs tariff values, Central Excise rates, trade finance, export-support measures and diamond trade facilitation.

Here are the key updates businesses should be aware of.

1. RoDTEP Scheme Extended Until 31 December 2026

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme up to 31 December 2026.

The scheme will continue to be available for exports made by:

• Domestic Tariff Area units

• Advance Authorisation holders

• Special Economic Zone units

• Export Oriented Units

The notification also confirms that the existing RoDTEP rates and value caps under Appendix 4R and Appendix 4RE, as applicable on 30 September 2026, will continue unchanged during the extension period. Other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Why it matters

The extension provides continuity to exporters claiming remission of eligible embedded duties and taxes. Exporters should continue checking applicable product classifications, rates and value caps while preparing export documentation.

2. Minimum Import Price on Virgin Multi-Layer Paper Board Extended

DGFT Notification No. 38/2026-27 extends the Minimum Import Price condition applicable to specified Virgin Multi-layer Paper Board products.

The prescribed MIP is:

₹67,220 per metric tonne on CIF value

The condition has been extended up to 31 March 2027.

The notification applies to specified ITC (HS) codes including 48059100, 48059200, 48059300, 48109200 and 48109900.

What importers should check

Importers should verify the applicable tariff classification and declared CIF value before filing import documentation for affected products.

3. MIP on Specified Chapter 29 Chemical Products Extended

DGFT also extended the Minimum Import Price condition on certain chemical products covered under Chapter 29 of ITC (HS), 2022.

The MIP is set at:

USD 111 per kg on CIF value

The extension applies up to 30 November 2026 for the specified products and tariff codes covered by the notification.

Businesses dealing in these chemicals should continue monitoring classification and import value requirements before shipment.

4. MIP on Sulfadiazine API Extended

A separate DGFT notification extended the Minimum Import Price condition applicable to Sulfadiazine API.

The MIP is:

₹1,774 per kg on CIF value

The condition continues up to 30 November 2026.

This update is particularly relevant to pharmaceutical importers dealing with products under the affected Chapter 29 classifications.

5. Customs Tariff Values Revised from 1 October 2026

CBIC issued Notification No. 80/2026-Customs (N.T.) revising tariff values for a number of commodities.

The revised tariff values include:

Commodity	Tariff
Crude Palm Oil	USD 1,229/MT
RBD Palm Oil	USD 1,240/MT
Other Palm Oil	USD 1,235/MT
Crude Palmolein	USD 1,248/MT
RBD Palmolein	USD 1,251/MT
Other Palmolein	USD 1,250/MT
Crude Soyabean Oil	USD 1,280/MT
Brass Scrap	USD 8,149/MT

Specified gold imports carry a tariff value of USD 1,339 per 10 grams, while specified silver imports carry a tariff value of USD 1,965 per kilogram.

The tariff value of areca nuts remains unchanged at USD 11,574 per metric tonne. The notification came into effect on 1 October 2026.

Why it matters

Tariff values influence customs valuation for notified commodities and can directly affect duty calculations. Importers and customs brokers should make sure current tariff values are reflected in declarations filed from the effective date.

6. Central Excise Rate Revised to ₹16 per Litre

Notification No. 52/2026-Central Excise amended an earlier notification and substituted the applicable entry against serial number 2 with:

₹16 per litre

The revised rate became effective from 1 October 2026.

Businesses covered by the underlying notification should update relevant excise calculations and internal records accordingly.

7. Central Excise Rate Revised to ₹10.50 per Litre

Notification No. 53/2026-Central Excise also introduced a revised excise rate.

The new rate is:

₹10.50 per litre

The change applies from 1 October 2026.

Companies affected by this notification should ensure billing, tax calculations and ERP configurations reflect the revised rate.

8. Special Notified Zone Approved at Surat Diamond Bourse

CBIC Circular No. 44/2026-Customs permits establishment of a Special Notified Zone at Surat International Diatrade Centre, located on the second floor of Tower B at Surat Diamond Bourse, Khajod, Surat.

The facility is intended to enable eligible foreign mining companies to bring rough diamonds into India for:

• Viewing

• Tendering

• Auction

• Sale

• Re-export of unsold lots

The SNZ can begin operations only after written authorisation from the jurisdictional Customs authority.

Key operational conditions

Imports of rough diamonds will be permitted only through air cargo mode. Hand carriage and express courier imports will not be allowed. Shipments must be accompanied by relevant commercial and compliance documents, including a Kimberley Process Certificate.

For sold lots, the buyer must file a Bill of Entry at Surat Diamond Bourse, and goods cannot be removed until assessment, duty payment and Out-of-Charge are completed.

Unsold goods must be exported under a Shipping Bill filed within 75 days from the date of import.

9. Deadline Extended for Surrender of Unutilised Raw Sugar TRQ

DGFT extended the deadline for surrender of unused quantity allocated under the Tariff Rate Quota for import of raw sugar.

TRQ holders may surrender unused quantities up to:

15 October 2026

The surrender is subject to payment of an amount equal to 0.5% of the CIF value of the surrendered quantity.

TRQ holders should review expected utilisation and decide whether any unused allocation needs to be surrendered within the extended period.

10. RELIEF Export-Support Timeline Extended to 31 March 2027

DGFT Notification No. 37/2026-27 extended timelines under Component II of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) under the Export Promotion Mission.

The eligibility timeline has been extended up to:

31 March 2027

for shipments meant for delivery or transshipment under the intervention. The notification states that the extension is intended to support exporters and help mitigate logistics challenges arising from the continuing West Asia crisis.

11. Trade Finance Sub-Committee Reconstituted

DGFT Trade Notice No. 29/2026-27, dated 1 October 2026, revised the composition of the Sub-Committee on Trade Finance under the Niryat Protsahan sub-scheme of the Export Promotion Mission.

The revised composition will apply uniformly across all Trade Finance interventions under Niryat Protsahan. Other provisions of earlier Trade Notices remain unchanged.

The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of MSME, Department of Commerce, Department of Financial Services, DGFT, CGTMSE, EXIM Bank and NCGTC, along with invitees from ECGC, IBA, IFSCA and factoring NBFCs.

The Sub-Committee may also co-opt domain experts or industry representatives when required for technical appraisal or other matters.

What Importers, Exporters and Customs Brokers Should Do

Businesses should closely review these updates for any impact on upcoming imports, exports and customs filings.

Importers should check MIP conditions, revised tariff values and applicable ITC (HS) classifications before filing declarations.

Exporters should review the extended validity of RoDTEP and RELIEF support measures and confirm whether their shipments remain eligible.

Customs brokers should ensure that effective dates, tariff values, notification references and valuation details are correctly reflected in filing workflows.

Conclusion

The period from 27 September to 03 October 2026 brought several important changes across India’s customs and foreign-trade framework. The most notable developments include the extension of RoDTEP, revised customs tariff values, continued MIP restrictions, new Central Excise rates, the Surat Diamond Bourse SNZ, RELIEF timeline extension and changes to the trade-finance governance structure.

With several measures taking effect from 1 October 2026, businesses involved in cross-border trade should review affected transactions promptly and ensure that their compliance processes reflect the latest regulatory requirements.