Legal Updates

Punjab Excise Policy 2026–27

The Government of Punjab has introduced the Excise Policy for FY 2026–27 with the objective of maximizing excise revenue and ensuring regulated distribution of liquor across the State. The policy continues the low duty–high license fee model adopted in previous years and sets a revenue target of ₹12,800 crore for the financial year. It regulates the liquor trade through provisions governing the retail, wholesale, and manufacturing/import sectors, while maintaining transparency and efficiency in licensing and supply chain management.

Under the policy, existing L-2 and L-14A retail licenses may be renewed on payment of a renewal fee of 0.6% of the prescribed license fee, with the reserve price of retail groups increased by 6.5% over the previous year’s discovered license fee. The annual quota of Punjab Medium Liquor (PML) has been increased to 8.790 crore proof litres, while the open quota system for IMFL, IFL and beer continues, allowing retailers to lift stock based on market demand. The policy also prescribes revised duties, eligibility criteria for license holders, and compliance requirements to strengthen regulatory oversight of the liquor trade in the State.

For more information, please refer to the attached document.

Foreign Liquor (Amendment) Rules, 2026 

The Government of Kerala has issued a notification amending the Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953. Under this amendment, operating hours for license holders under Form FL-3 (serving liquor in hotels rated three-star and above) and Form FL-11 (serving liquor in wine and beer parlours) are restricted to between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight. However, FL-3 license holders with a five-star classification may extend operations beyond midnight for up to three additional hours upon payment of an annual rental fee of ₹5 lakh.

For more information, please refer to the specified document.

CBIC launches a new facility for filing applications for withdrawal under Rule 14A

CBIC has launched a new facility facilitating taxpayers who have opted for registration under Rule 14A to apply for withdrawal by filing Form GST REG-32 through the portal.

This facility is available only to taxpayers registered under Rule 14A and may be availed subject to the following conditions:

(a) Returns must be furnished for a minimum period of three months, if Form GST REG-32 is filed before 1 April 2026;
(b) Returns must be furnished for a minimum of one tax period, if Form GST REG-32 is filed on or after 1 April 2026; and
(c) All returns due from the effective date of registration up to the date of filing Form GST REG-32 must be furnished.
For more information, please refer to the attached document.

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RBI issues a notification for Authorised Dealers on the export and import of goods and services

RBI has through a recent notification clarified that under the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, Authorised Dealers while performing export and import of goods and services are required to route all references to the Reserve Bank through the PRAVAAH portal and report any doubtful transactions to the Directorate of Enforcement (DoE) with effect from 1st October, 2026.

For more information, please refer to the below mentioned document.

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Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, effective from 01st October, 2026.

By virtue of these regulations, a detailed procedure has been prescribed to be followed by exporters of goods and services as well as by the Authorised Dealer, i.e., the bank, while undertaking export of goods and services, with the objective of facilitating ease of doing business, such as:

An exporter of goods must submit an Export Declaration Form (EDF) to the specified authority at the time of export, declaring the full export value of the goods.

An exporter of services must submit an EDF to the specified authority within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoice for services is raised, declaring the full export value of the services.

An Authorised Dealer (bank) shall credit or debit the exporter’s or importer’s account for export receipts or import payments only after verifying the genuineness of the transaction and shall update or close the relevant entry in EDPMS or IDPMS accordingly.

For more information, please refer to the attached document.

Anti-Dumping Duty on Imports of 4-Ethyl Hexanol

CBIC (Customs) has extended the anti-dumping duty on imports of 2-Ethyl Hexanol originating in or exported from the European Union, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United States of America, up to 26 June 2026. CBIC (Customs) has extended the anti-dumping duty on imports of 2-Ethyl Hexanol originating in or exported from the European Union, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United States of America, up to 26 June 2026.