DGFT Invites Comments on Proposed Suspension of 544 SIONs

Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has issued Trade Notice No. 26/2026-27 dated 07.09.2026 seeking comments/views from exporters, importers and other concerned stakeholders on the proposed suspension of 544 Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs). The Directorate states that it has undertaken a review of the utilization status of Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) and identified 544 SIONs that remained unutilized under the Advance Authorisation (AA)/Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) Schemes during the last three financial years. In view of their prolonged non-utilization, DGFT proposes to suspend these 544 SIONs. Stakeholders, including exporters, importers, Export Promotion Councils, industry associations and other interested parties, have been invited to submit their comments/views along with relevant supporting information or documents within 15 days from the date of issuance of the Trade Notice. Stakeholders may specifically indicate reasons for continued retention of any SION(s), together with details of actual or proposed utilization under the AA/DFIA Schemes, wherever applicable. After expiry of the stipulated 15-day period and consideration of representations received, the 544 SIONs may be suspended. The Trade Notice states that comments received after expiry of the prescribed period may not be considered. The notice has been issued with the approval of the DG, DGFT and contains an annexure listing the 544 SIONs proposed for suspension.

Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade

Trade Notice No. 26/2026-27-DGFT | Dated: 07.09.2026

To

All Exporters/Members of Trade & Industry
All Export Promotion Councils/Commodity Boards
DGFT Regional Authorities

Subject: Comments/views on proposed suspension of 544 Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) remaining unutilized during the last three financial years.

This Directorate, has undertaken a review of the utilization status of Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs). As a result of the said review, a total of 544 SIONs, as detailed in the Annexure to this Trade Notice, which have remained unutilized under the Advance Authorisation (AA)/Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) Schemes during the last three financial years.

2. In view of the prolonged non-utilization of the aforesaid SIONs, this Directorate proposes to suspend the said 544 SIONs. Accordingly, comments/views are hereby invited from the trade and other concerned stakeholders, including exporters, importers, Export Promotion Councils, industry associations and other interested parties, on the proposed suspension of the aforesaid SIONs.

3. The comments/views, along with relevant supporting information/documents, if any, may be submitted to this Directorate within 15 days from the date of issuance of this Trade Notice. Stakeholders may specifically indicate the reasons for continued retention of any SION(s), along with details of actual or proposed utilization under the AA/DFIA Schemes, wherever applicable.

4. Upon expiry of the stipulated period of 15 days, and after due consideration of the comments/views received from the trade and other concerned stakeholders, the aforesaid 544 SIONs may be suspended. All concerned stakeholders are, therefore, requested to submit their comments/views within the prescribed time. Comments received after expiry of the stipulated period may not be considered.

This Trade Notice is issued with the approval of the DG, DGFT.

(Saurabh Goyal)
Dy. Director General of Foreign Trade
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Telephone no. 0112303-8790
Email-ID: [email protected]

Enclosure: List of 544 SIONs proposed for suspension.

(Issued from e-File No. 01/94/180/071/AM26/PC-4/Pt-2)

List of proposed SIONs to be suspended