Foreign Trade
DGFT policy, export schemes and import conditions.
44stories
September 2026
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Exporters can now connect their ERP to DGFT’s Certificate of Origin system
connect their ERPNew facilityAn Open API on the Trade Connect e-Platform lets an exporter’s own software file Certificate of Origin applications and verify issued certificates, for both preferential and non-preferential certificates.
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DGFT proposes to suspend 544 Standard Input Output Norms unused for three years; comments invited within 15 days: Trade Notice No. 26/2026-27
544 SIONs may be suspendedComments invitedAfter reviewing utilisation of Standard Input Output Norms, DGFT has listed 544 SIONs that were not used under the Advance Authorisation or DFIA schemes in the last three financial years and proposes to suspend them. Trade and industry may send comments, with reasons for retaining any SION, within 15 days of the trade notice dated 7 September 2026.
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Certificate of Origin can now be filed through an Open API from the exporter’s own ERP: DGFT Trade Notice No. 25/2026-27
CoO Open API releasedNew facilityDGFT has released an Open API facility for Certificates of Origin on the Trade Connect e-Platform. Exporters can connect their ERP, accounting or other software to DGFT’s CoO system to submit applications and verify certificates electronically. The trade notice carries a help manual with the technical steps.
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DGFT starts automatic issue of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates for eligible applications
Auto-issuedReliefEligible applications on the DGFT portal will be issued without manual scrutiny by the Regional Authority. Others continue on the manual route, and auto-approved cases can be flagged for review.
August 2026
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Free Sale and Commerce Certificates to be issued automatically on the DGFT portal: Trade Notice No. 24/2026-27
Automated FSC on DGFT portalNew facilityDGFT is enabling automated issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) on its portal, moving from manual verification by Regional Authorities to a rule-based, system-driven workflow. Applications that need verification may still go to the Regional Authority, and some auto-approved ones may be flagged for review later.
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Bank Guarantee Repository on DGFT portal gets expiry alerts, status tracking and digitally signed notices: Trade Notice No. 23/2026-27
BG expiry alerts: 60 and 45 daysNew facilityDGFT has deployed new features in the Bank Guarantee Repository Module on its portal. Exporters must now indicate whether a BG is a fresh submission or a replacement, and will get system emails 60 days and 45 days before a BG expires. Regional Authorities can issue digitally signed renewal, encashment and return communications through the portal.
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Wheat, atta, maida and suji can be exported again: DGFT moves them from “Prohibited” to “Free”
Prohibited → FreeReliefTwo notifications of 24 August 2026 revise the export policy of wheat under HS codes 10011900 and 10019910, and of wheat flour and related products under HS code 11010000, to “Free” with immediate effect.
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One Star Export House status on two years’ performance out of three; Diamond Imprest para drops Compensation Cess reference — DGFT Notifications 33/2026-27 and 32/2026-27
Two out of three yearsReliefTwo amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 dated 21 August 2026. Para 1.25(d) now lets an applicant (other than Gems & Jewellery) get One Star Export House status with export performance in any two of the three preceding financial years. Para 4.63 on Diamond Imprest Authorisation no longer refers to Compensation Cess, which stands discontinued from 1 February 2026.
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Export Obligation extension approved by PRC or EPCG Committee will now be issued by the system — no second application to the RA
No second applicationNew facilityTrade Notice 21/2026-27 introduces an automated facility for Advance Authorisation and EPCG cases: once the Committee approves, the exporter pays the fee on the DGFT portal and the extension letter is generated automatically.
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Export proceeds can be realised in any foreign currency or in Indian Rupees; rupee realisations get FTP benefits — Paras 2.52 and 2.53 amended by DGFT Notification 30/2026-27
Rupee exports get FTP benefitsRule changeDGFT has rewritten Paras 2.52 and 2.53 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Export contracts and invoices (other than with ACU member countries) may be denominated in foreign currency or Indian Rupees, and proceeds realised in either. Exports realised in rupees through rupee accounts of non-residents qualify for export benefits and export obligation, at par with foreign currency.
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Import of clear float glass (4 mm–12 mm) moved to “Restricted”; free only at CIF ₹34,000 per MT and above — DGFT Notification 29/2026-27
MIP ₹34,000 per MTRule changeDGFT has revised the import policy of clear float glass (4 mm–12 mm) under ITC (HS) codes 70051090 and 70052990 from “Free” to “Restricted”. Import stays “Free” where the CIF value is ₹34,000 or more per MT. The minimum import price condition does not apply to Advance Authorisation holders, EOUs and SEZ units, and runs for one year.
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India and SACU sign Terms of Reference for a Preferential Trade Agreement
India–SACUThe negotiations with the Southern African Customs Union will cover eight chapters including market access for goods and rules of origin. No tariff changes yet — only a final agreement will do that.
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Draft SOP for reporting inward remittances routed through NBFC Factors, for eBRC self-certification: DGFT Trade Notice 20/2026-27 invites comments
Comments within 30 daysComments invitedDGFT has circulated a draft Standard Operating Procedure on how Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) are to be reported when export proceeds come through NBFC Factors. Factors would tag their SWIFT messages so that AD-I banks do not create IRMs for factoring proceeds; exporters would see factor-linked IRMs on the DGFT portal to self-certify eBRCs. Comments are invited within 30 days.
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DGFT advisory asks exporters, banks and ECGC to exercise heightened vigilance with two Thimphu-based firms: Trade Notice 19/2026-27 under para 8.07(d) of FTP 2023
Advisory: 2 Bhutanese firmsClarifiedDGFT has issued a precautionary advisory under para 8.07(d) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 against two Bhutanese entities — M/s Legoy Powersports and M/s Druk A-Z Store, both of Thimphu — after a complaint could not be resolved for want of response. EPCs, Regional Authorities, ECGC and AD banks are advised to exercise enhanced caution and due diligence.
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Wheat export quota holders asked for CA-certified utilisation and requests for extra or surrendered quantity by 31 August 2026: DGFT Trade Notice 18/2026-27
Details by 31 August 2026Action neededDGFT is reviewing how much of the wheat export quota allocated under Public Notices 49/2025-26 and 05/2026-27 has been used. Authorisation holders for HS codes 10011900 and 10019910 had to send a Chartered Accountant’s utilisation certificate and any request for additional or surrendered quantity by 31 August 2026. Quota used below 50% may go to a common pool.
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DPIIT-recognised start-ups can now list on DGFT’s “Source from India” with only an active IEC
Start-up BadgeNew facilityTrade Notice 16 dated 6 August 2026 opens the Trade Connect buyer-discovery service to start-ups, with a special onboarding route for those yet to meet the export performance criteria.
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Interest subvention on export credit: EXIM Bank replaces RBI as implementing agency from 1 April 2026
RBI → EXIM BankRule changeTrade Notice 17/2026-27 records the transition under the Export Promotion Mission – Niryat Protsahan. Banks will now claim reimbursement from EXIM Bank; the benefit still reaches the MSME exporter upfront.
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TRQ applications: India–UK CETA last date extended to 9 August 2026 (Public Notice 26/2026-27); India–Oman CEPA window for FY 2026-27 was 4–19 August (Public Notice 24/2026-27)
TRQ: UK CETA, Oman CEPAExtendedTwo DGFT public notices on Tariff Rate Quota. Public Notice 26/2026-27 extended the last date for online TRQ applications under the India–UK CETA for CY 2026 up to 9 August 2026. Public Notice 24/2026-27 invited TRQ applications under the India–Oman CEPA for FY 2026-27 from 4 to 19 August 2026 on 30 tariff lines, with product-specific documents for marble and PET flakes.
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EODC under Advance Authorisation and EPCG: only voluntary duty payments shown on the DGFT portal from Customs/ICEGATE data will be recognised — Trade Notice 15/2026-27
Payments from 1 August 2026Action neededDGFT has integrated licence-wise voluntary duty payment data from Customs/ICEGATE with its online system. For EODC applications under the Advance Authorisation and EPCG schemes, only the payment details reflected on the DGFT portal will be recognised. Authorisation holders must enter the correct licence number and IEC in ICEGATE and verify payments made on or after 1 August 2026.
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Halal certification under i-CAS for meat exports to Egypt: transition period extended from six to nine months — DGFT Notification 28/2026-27
6 months → 9 monthsExtendedDGFT has amended Notification No. 59/2025-26 dated 9 February 2026 for exports of specified meat and meat products to Egypt. The mandatory India Conformity Assessment Scheme (i-CAS)-Halal will now take effect after nine months from that notification instead of six, to allow Egyptian halal certification bodies to complete onboarding and accreditation.
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