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08 March, 2018

March 8, 2018

As per Notification 52/2015-2020 dated 7 March, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT amendment in Para 2.17 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 on "Prohibition on direct or indirect import and export from/to DPRK (Democratic People`s Republic of Korea) in terms of UNSC resolutions concerning DPRK.

As per Public Notice 64/2015-2020 dated 5 March, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT, inputs/import items specified in Appendix 4J has been amended.

As per Public Notice 63/2015-2020 dated 22 February, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT amendments have been made in Ayat Niryat Forms (ANF) 4F & 4G of Handbook of Procedures 2015-2020 in light of implementation of GST and non-issuance of EP copies of Shipping Bills by Customs Authorities.

The DGFT has published Circular 04/2015-20 dated 26 February, 2018 (Click Here) pertaining to clarification regarding export policy of onions - removal of Minimum Export Price (MEP) and Letter of Credit (LC).

As per Notification 28/2018-Cus dated 1 March, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the CBEC BCD tariff rate on Chickpeas, (ITC-HS code 0713200) has been increased from 40% to 60% by invoking section 8A (1) of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published following:
- Direction under Section 16 (5) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 dated 5 March, 2018 (Click Here) regarding labelling requirements for seasoning.
- Notification dated 1 March, 2018 (Click Here) on the authorization of 16 NABL Accredited food testing laboratories for analysis of sample under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Regarding the methods of analysis of various food products dated 20 February, 2018 (Click Here) which have been approved by the Scientific Panel on Methods or Sampling and Analysis, Scientific Committee and Food Authority.

The Ministry of Finance, Malaysia published Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) Order 2018 dated 23 February, 2018 (Click Here) prohibiting importation of specified goods into Malaysia, except under an import licence.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China published Notification 2018 No. 2 dated 1 March, 2018 (Click Here) pertaining to reviewed and approved new variety of enzymes for the food industry fructosyltransferase (also known as β-fructosyltransferase) and Food additives such as single, diglycerol fatty acid esters and other 7 species to expand the scope of use.

Ministry of the Environment and Food, Denmark published decree no 181 (Click Here) and 182 (Click Here) on 8 March, 2018 regarding import of feed with special restrictions and on penalties for breach of various EU acts. The Decree 181 state provisions for risk of contamination with pentachlorophenol and dioxins of feed and Decree 182 state control measures for okra, curry leaves, sesame seed and leafy leaves imported from India.

South Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) has published following:
- Notice No. 2018-14 on 2 March, 2018 (Click Here) on revising standard for manufacture of quasi-drugs.
- Revision Notice No. 2018-13 on 2 March, 2018 (Click Here) regarding quasi-drug product permission, report, and examination regulation.
- Notice No. 2018-15 on 5 March, 2018 (Click Here) on regulations on the classification of medical devices and items

Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) of Mexico published following amendments of its food additive regulations dated 2 March, 2018:
- Annex I: Additives with various functional classes and with an established ADI (Click Here).
- Annex VI: Enzymes (Click Here).

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan published Heisei 30 Labor and Welfare Notification 38 dated 28 February, 2018 (Click Here) to revise a part of the standards of foods, additives and pesticides MRL.

National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) of Argentina published updates to six chapters of the Argentine food code, as under

United Kingdom Statuary Instrument No 289 published on 5 March, 2018 (Click Here) revising import inspection fees under the Plant Health etc. (Fees) (England) Regulations 2018. This new rates will be effective from 6 April 2018.

Eurasian council for Economic (ECE) has published following:
- Decision no 13 on 27 February 2018 (Click Here) in connection with Russia’’s accession to the WTO established new reduced rates of import customs duties for linoleum (HS code 5904100000), household freezers (HS codes 8418402001, 8418408001), semitrailers automobile (HS 8716398003, 8716398004). The decision comes into force after 30 calendar days from the date of its official publication. The document is published on the ECE website on 22 February 2018.
- A zero rate of import duty on polyethylene is fixed for a period of 8 months from 1 January 2018 to 30 September 2018 as per decision no 14 published on 27 February 2018 (Click Here).The rate apply to factory three-layer anticorrosion coating on large diameter pipes classified under the HS code 3901209001.

The Australian Ministry of Agriculture Water Resources (DAWR) changes import conditions for retorted goods dated 26 February, 2018 (Click Here). According to new conditions retorted goods must now be imported with an import permit that requires a government health certificate to accompany each consignment and transition period during which retorted goods can be cleared under the previous commodity-specific import conditions has been extended to 30 June, 2018.

The European Union published following:
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/328 dated 5 March 2018 (Click Here) concerning the authorisation of the preparation of Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying.
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/327 dated 5 March, 2018 (Click Here) concerning the authorisation of a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced by Trichoderma citrinoviride Bisset (IMI SD135) as a feed additive for carp.
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/290 dated 27 February, 2018 (Click Here) amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of glycidyl fatty acid esters in vegetable oils and fats, infant formula, follow-on formula and foods for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children.
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/296 dated 27 February 2018 (Click Here) concerning the non-approval of the active substance Reynoutria sachalinensis extract, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a guidance for industry entitled “Proper Labeling of Honey and Honey Products” dated 2 March, 2018 (Click Here). The guidance advises firms on the proper labeling of honey and honey products to help ensure that honey and honey products are not adulterated or misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended following tolerances for residues:
- Fluopicolide dated 7 March, 2018 (Click Here) in or on multiple commodities.
- Kasugamycin dated 6 March, 2018 (Click Here) in or on the cherry subgroup 12-12A and walnut.
- The fumigant Methyl Bromide, including its metabolites and degradates dated 1 March, 2018 (Click Here) in or on post-harvest imported/domestic agricultural commodities.
- Indaziflam dated 23 February, 2018 (Click Here) in or on grass, forage, fodder, and hay, group 17, grown in rangeland, pastures, and areas subject to the CRP.