The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a notification amending the export policy for pharma grade sugar, effective June 11, 2025. Previously, all types of sugar, including raw, white, refined, and organic, were restricted for export, requiring specific permission from the Directorate of Sugar. Exports to the EU, USA, and UK under CXL Quota and Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) were permitted under specific conditions and quantitative ceilings. The revised policy introduces a new provision allowing the export of Pharma Grade Sugar up to a limit of 25,000 metric tons per financial year. This is subject to obtaining a Restricted Export Authorization. To qualify, exporters must provide a valid drug manufacturing license from the relevant State Licensing Authority and submit test reports and certification from NABL-accredited laboratories confirming the sugar meets pharma grade specifications at the time of export. This amendment specifically facilitates the export of pharma grade sugar for bonafide pharmaceutical exporters.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department Of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Notification No. 17/2025-26- DGFT | Dated: 17th June 2025
Subject: Amendment in Export Policy for Pharma Grade Sugar -reg.
S.O. 2846(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act 1992, read with Para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby amends the following Export policy condition under Chapter 17 of Schedule-II (Export Policy), ITC (HS) 2022 with immediate effect:
| ITC (HS) Code | Existing Export Policy Condition | Revised Export Policy Condition
|
| 17011490 — Other 17019990 — Other | 1. Export of Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar, Refined Sugar and Organic Sugar) is Restricted till further orders subject to the following conditions:-
(i) export of sugar is allowed only with specific permission from Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (ii) Detailed procedure for issue of necessary permissions for export of sugar will be notified separately by Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) 2. However, Export of Sugar to EU under CXL Quota is free subject to the following condition: – The Certificate of Origin shall be issued by Additional DGFT, Mumbai. The exporters shall be required to furnish the details of actual exports (viz. quantity, value, destination, name 3. However, Export of Sugar to USA under TRQ subject to following condition: – The quota will be operated by APEDA, New Delhi as per the modalities and operational guidelines to be notified by APEDA. The exporters shall be 10/2015-20 20/2015-20 36/2023 24.05.2022 07.09.2015 18.10.2023 required to furnish the details of actual exports(viz. quantity, value, destination, name &address of foreign buyer etc.) to the APEDA, New Delhi. The Certificate of Origin, if required, shall be issued by Additional DGFT, Mumbai. This will be subject to quantitative ceiling notified by DGFT from time to time. 4. However, Export of Sugar to UK under TRQ subject to following condition: – The quota will be operated by APEDA, New Delhi as the implementing agency for export of TRQ items to UK. |
1. Export of Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar, Refined Sugar and Organic Sugar) is Restricted till further orders subject to the following conditions:-
(i) export of sugar is allowed only with specific permission from Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (ii) Detailed procedure for issue of necessary permissions for export of sugar will be notified separately by Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) 2. However, Export of Sugar to EU under CXL Quota is free subject to the following condition: – The Certificate of Origin shall be issued by Additional DGFT, Mumbai. The exporters shall be required to furnish the details of actual exports (viz. quantity, value, destination, name &address of foreign buyer etc.) to the Additional DGFT, Mumbai as well as to APEDA, New Delhi. This will be subject to quantitative ceiling notified by DGFT from time to time. 3. However, Export of Sugar to USA under TRQ subject to following condition: – The quota will be operated by APEDA, New Delhi as per the modalities and operational guidelines to be notified by APEDA. The exporters shall be 10/2015-20 20/2015-20 36/2023 24.05.2022 07.09.2015 18.10.2023 required to furnish the details of actual exports(viz. quantity, value, destination, name &address of foreign buyer etc.) to the APEDA, New Delhi. The Certificate of Origin, if required, shall be issued by Additional DGFT, Mumbai. This will be subject to quantitative ceiling notified by DGFT from time to time. 4. However, Export of Sugar to UK under TRQ subject to following condition: – The quota will be operated by APEDA, New Delhi as the implementing agency for export of TRQ items to UK. 5. However, Export of Pharma Grade Sugar shall be permitted under a Restricted Export Authorization, subject to the following safeguards i. Total Exports in a financial year shall not exceed 25,000 MTs ii. Mandatory submission of a valid drug manufacturing license issued by the concerned State Licensing Authority; and iii. Submission of requisite test reports and certification from NABL accredited laboratories confirming compliance with Pharma Grade Sugar |
Effect of This Notification: Export of Pharma Grade Sugar, up to a total of 25,000 MTs per financial year, shall be permitted to Bonafide Pharma Exporters against a Restricted Export Authorisation.
(Ajay Bhadoo)
Director General of Foreign Trade
Ex- Officio Additional Secretary, Government of India
Email: dgft@nic.in
(Issued from File No. 01/91/191/025/AM23/EC/E-34622)
