Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), through Public Notice No. 38/2026-27 dated November 3, 2026, has amended Paragraph 8.04(iii) of Chapter 8 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023, relating to the mechanism for resolving quality complaints and trade disputes. Issued under Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023, the amendment substitutes the earlier provision requiring Indian Missions to take up complaints with concerned authorities and update their status online. Under the revised provision, Indian Missions Abroad must pursue appropriate redressal of complaints, whether filed directly by applicants or referred by the concerned Foreign Trade (FT) Divisions of the Department of Commerce. Both Indian Missions Abroad and the concerned FT Divisions are required to periodically update the action taken and status of each complaint on the DGFT portal until its resolution or final disposal. These updates must remain accessible to complainants through the portal. The notice further requires timely and continuous status updates until complaints or trade disputes are resolved, closed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Public Notice No. 38/2026-27-DGFT | Dated: 03 November, 2026
Subject: Amendment to Para 8.04(iii) of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 – Mechanism for resolving Quality Complaints/Trade Disputes – reg.
In exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 read with Paragraph 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby amends Para 8.04(iii) of Chapter 8 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023, as set out below:
1. Existing Para 8.04(iii)
“The Indian Missions would take up the issue with authorities concerned for resolving the complaint and would update status online on regular basis.”
2. Amended Para 8.04(iii)
Para 8.04(iii) of the HBP 2023 shall be substituted by the following:
“The Indian Missions Abroad shall take up complaints with the authorities concerned for appropriate redressal, either on the basis of complaints filed by the applicants or complaints referred by the concerned Foreign Trade (FT) Divisions of the Department of Commerce. The Indian Missions Abroad and the concerned FT Divisions shall periodically update the action taken and the status of each complaint on the DGFT portal until its resolution or final disposal, as the case may be. All such updates shall be accessible to the complainant through the DGFT portal.”
3. Effect of this Public Notice
The Indian Missions and the concerned FT Division shall follow and ensure timely updation of the status of complaints/trade disputes on the DGFT portal on a continuous basis, until the matter is resolved, closed, or otherwise disposed of, in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
(Lav Agarwal)
Director General of Foreign Trade &
Addl. Secretary to the Government of India
Email: [email protected]
[Issued from File No. 01/13/HQ/AM27/QCTD/E-47324]
