Feedback/ Help/ Queries

08 February, 2018

February 8, 2018

As per Notification 48/2015-2020 dated 2 February, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT requirement of Minimum Export Price (MEP) on export of onions as described stands removed till further orders and all varieties of onions can now be exported without any MEP.

As per Notification 49/2015-2020 dated 5 February, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT consequent to modification in Section 3(2) of the Food Safety & Standards (Import) Regulation, 2017, Para 4 (A) of General Notes Regarding Import Policy of ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule - I (Import Policy) stands updated.

As per Notification 50/2015-2020 dated 5 February, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT Import policy of Light black pepper classified under EXIM Code 09041120 under Advance Authorisation Scheme is laid down, in partial modification of Notification 42/2015-20 dated 6 December, 2017 (Click Here).

As per Public Notice 58/2015-2020 dated 5 February, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT amendment in procedure for seeking modification in IEC is notified.

The DGFT has published Trade Notice 23/2018 dated 6 February, 2018 (Click Here) advising exporters to promptly check Shipping Bill transmission status on ICEGATE and DGFT website.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has published following dated 6 February, 2018:
- Notification 24/2018-Cus (Click Here) to increase import duty on all types of sugar (raw sugar, refined or white sugar) of ITC (HS) ‘1701’ from 50% to 100%.
- Notification 25/2018-Cus (Click Here) increase BCD tariff rate on Chana (Chickpeas) of ITC (HS) ‘0713200’ from 30% to 40%.

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India published The Insecticides (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 1971 dated 2 February, 2018 (Click Here) which refers to the ports of entry (through sea, air, and rail) for import of pesticides in India.

The Ministry of Health, Malaysia published following:
- Directive for the Use of Drug Registration Guidance Document (DRGD) Second Edition dated 2 February, 2018 (Click Here).
- Notification of status update of ingredients In Annexes on Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia dated 7 February, 2018 (Click Here).

Health Canada published a notice of modification to the List of Permitted Food Enzymes dated 1 February, 2018. (Click Here) to enable the use Pectinase from Trichoderma reesei RF6197 and from Trichoderma reesei RF6201 in Single-strength Fruit Juices, Wine, and Unstandardized Fruit and Vegetable Products.

The South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety published regulations on safety screening of genetically modified foods (GMO) dated 30 January, 2018 (Click Here). This regulation pertains to revision of the revised fee for reviewing the safety of genetically modified foods and safety review of the later hybrid species, and notify the results of the safety screening of GMO.

The Government of Vietnam has published following:
- Decree No. 19/2018 / ND-CP dated 2 February, 2018 (Click Here) regulating the total volume or volume of narcotics in some articles of the Penal Code in 2015. According to this Degree, the calculation of the total volume or volume of narcotics must be objective and scientific, and be conducted according to the method and order prescribed in this Decree.
- Decree No. 15/2018 / ND-CP dated 2 February, 2018 (Click Here) replacing Decree No. 38/2012 / ND-CP guiding some articles of the Law on Food Safety. This degree pertains to procedures for registration of product announcement; ensure GMO safety; Certificate of food safety; state inspection of food safety for import and export; food labeling; food advertising; Conditions for ensuring food safety in production, trading and use of food additives; traceability of food; Assigning responsibility for state management of food safety.

The Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) published Heisei era 0205 No. 1 dated 5 February, 2018 (Click Here) to revise a part of the standards of foods, additives and 56 pesticides MRL.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take new measures to strengthen imported Food Safety Management dated 31 January, 2018 (Click Here). It has recognized the first accreditation body under the voluntary Accredited Third-Party Certification Program created by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FDA approved American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Quality Association (ASQ) formation of institutions to become the national certification body (ANAB). This certification is valid for 5 years.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confirming the effective date of 8 December, 2017, for the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of 7 November, 2017, and that amended the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of calcium carbonate to color hard and soft candy, mints, and in inks used on the surface of chewing gum dated 31 January, 2018 (Click Here).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended following tolerance:
- Exemption Bacillus thuringiensis Cry51Aa2.834_16 protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis dated 26 January, 2018 (Click Here) in or on cotton, when used as a plant-incorporated protectant.
- Exemption Calcium Salts of Phosphorous Acid dated 26 January, 2018 (Click Here) in or on food commodities.
- Fomesafen, pesticide tolerances dated 7 February, 2018 (Click Here) in or on the tuberous and corm vegetable subgroup 1C, the legume vegetable group 6, and the low growing berry subgroup 13–07G (except cranberry).
- Isoxaben, pesticide tolerances dated 7 February, 2018 (Click Here) in or on apple, the bushberry subgroup 13–07B, the tree nut group 14–12, and the small vine climbing fruit (except fuzzy kiwifruit) subgroup 13–07F.

The US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a FSIS notice number 06-18 dated 25 January, 2018 (Click Here). This notice contain additional information regarding instructional labeling statements for raw beef products shipped to intermediary official establishments prior to delivery to an official establishment for full lethality treatment to address Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia Coli (STEC).