Introduction: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has issued Trade Notice 01/2024-25. This notice outlines crucial directives regarding the submission of digitized Aayat Niryat Forms (ANFs), Appendices, and other documents. The objective is to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and promote efficiency in India’s foreign trade ecosystem.
Detailed Analysis:
1. Digitization Efforts: The DGFT is committed to facilitating exports and imports through efficient and transparent processes. Significant strides have been made in digitizing ANFs and Appendices under the Foreign Trade Policy. Now, applications for these documents must be exclusively submitted online via the DGFT website, eliminating the need for physical or soft copies.
2. Online Access to Key Information: Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) details, Registration-cum-Membership Certificates (RCMCs), and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) status are available online to relevant entities. This accessibility streamlines procedures and enhances transparency in trade-related transactions.
3. Certification Processes: While some ANFs and Appendices require certification by professionals, efforts are underway to digitize these processes. Certifying authorities will soon be able to digitally certify relevant documents directly on the DGFT website. Until then, physical copies of these documents may be uploaded online.
4. Submission Requirements: There is no need to submit hard or soft copies of digitized ANFs, Appendices, IEC, RCMC, or MSME Udyam Registration certificates to DGFT or its Regional Authorities. Likewise, such documents do not need to be uploaded alongside online applications, simplifying the submission process.
5. Communication Protocol: Deficiency letters and correspondences related to online applications should be issued and responded to exclusively online. Physical paper responses to such communications will not be entertained, ensuring efficient communication channels.
6. Feedback Mechanism: Stakeholders encountering difficulties or wishing to provide feedback can communicate via email to DGFT HQ. This ensures that any concerns or suggestions are promptly addressed, fostering continuous improvement in trade facilitation measures.
Conclusion: Trade Notice 01/2024-25 from DGFT underscores the government’s commitment to digitizing trade processes for enhanced efficiency and transparency. By embracing online submission requirements and communication channels, exporters, importers, and other stakeholders can navigate trade procedures seamlessly, contributing to India’s growth in the global marketplace.
***
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 01/2024-25 – DGFT | Dated: 2nd April 2024
To,
1. All Regional Authorities
2. All Members of Trade and Industry
3. Export Promotion Councils/Commodity Boards/Chambers of Commerce & Industry
Subject: Directives regarding submission of digitized ANFs, Appendices etc.
In adherence to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s commitment to facilitating exports and imports, emphasizing efficient, transparent, and accountable delivery systems, significant efforts have been directed towards digitising a substantial number of the Aayat Niryat Forms (ANFs) and Appendices pursuant to the Foreign Trade Policy. Consequently, applications pertaining to said ANFs and Appendices must be exclusively submitted online via the DGFT Website (https://dgft.gov.in), eliminating the necessity for physical or soft copies of these documents.
2. Additionally, it should be duly noted that Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) details are available online to DGFT (HQ), Regional Authorities (RAs), Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), and other pertinent entities. Likewise, Registration-cum-Membership Certificates (RCMCs) are electronically accessible through DGFT Online Systems. Moreover, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) status as recorded in the MSME UDYAM Registration Portal (https://udyamregistration.gov.in) is similarly accessible through electronic exchanges integrated into DGFT online systems.
3. Furthermore, certain ANFs and Appendices necessitate certification by professionals such as Chartered Accountants, Chartered Engineers, Cost Accountants, Company Secretaries, among others, and may not be entirely digitized presently. Nonetheless, ongoing endeavours are directed towards digitalization of these forms, enabling said certifying authorities to digitally certify all relevant ANFs and Appendices directly on the DGFT Website. Until such digital signature processes are fully implemented, copies of these documents may be uploaded online.
4. With regard to the foregoing, it is reiterated that no hard or soft copies of digitized ANFs, Appendices, IEC, RCMC, or MSME Udyam Registration certificates need to be submitted to DGFT (HQ) or its Regional Authorities. Additionally, there is no requirement to upload such documents alongside online applications.
5. It is further emphasized that all deficiency letters and correspondences pertaining to online applications must be issued and responded to exclusively online. Physical paper responses to such communications should not be entertained.
6. Any difficulty in complying with the above or feedback concerning the same may be communicated via email to DGFT (HQ) at egtf-dgft@gov.in
This is issued with the approval of competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
[Issued from File No.: 01/02/98/AM-24/EG&TF]
