The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended Para 2.35 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 through Public Notice No. 23/2025-26 dated 1st October 2025. Earlier, Regional Authorities (RAs) could issue end-user certificates (EUC) only for freely importable items if required by a foreign government before permitting export from their country. The revised provision now extends this facility to both free and restricted items. Accordingly, RAs may issue an EUC in line with Appendix 2Q of Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms, based on an application filed under ANF 2J with the required documents.
For restricted items, however, additional conditions apply. The EUC will only be issued if DGFT has already granted a valid restricted authorisation for the item. In such cases, the EUC must strictly adhere to the quantity and value specified in the authorisation, ensuring that the certificate is aligned with the approved import limits.
The effect of this amendment is that Regional Authorities are now formally empowered to issue EUCs for restricted imports, subject to compliance with DGFT’s restricted authorisation. This provides clarity and streamlines the process for importers of restricted goods where foreign governments require an end-user certification as a precondition for export clearance.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Department of Commerce, Government of India
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Public Notice No. 23/2025-26-DGFT |Dated:01st October, 2025
Subject: Amendment to Para 2.35 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 – Reg.
F. No. 01/89/180/42/AM-25/PC-2[A]/E-43560.— In exercise of powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby makes the following amendments in Para 2.35 of the Handbook of the Procedures 2023 with immediate effect:
| Para No. | Existing Provision | Revised Provision |
| 2.35 | In case of import of any freely importable item in India, if a foreign Government insists on certification of end user of the item, before permitting export of the same from their country, RA may issue such certificates as per the Appendix 2Q of Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms. The certificate shall be issued based on application made under ANF 2J along with documents prescribed therein. | In case of import of any Free/Restricted items in India, if a foreign Government insists on certificatioll of the end user of the item before permitting export of the same from their country, Regional Authority (RA) may issue an End User Certificate (EUC) as per Appendix 2Q of Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms. The certificate shall be issued based on an application made under ANF 2J, along with documents prescribed therein. Provided further that, in the case of import of restricted items, the EUC shall be issued by RA only for those items in respect of which a restricted authorisation has been granted by DGFT and is valid. The quantity and value in the EUC should be limited to the quantity and value specified in the said restricted authorisation. |
Effect of the Public Notice: Para 2.35 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023, is amended to provide that the Regional Authorities (RAs) are authorised to issue an End-User Certificate (EUC) for restricted import items also strictly in accordance with the restricted authorisation granted by DGFT.
(Ajay Bradoo)
Additional Secretary to the Government of India &
Director General of Foreign Trade
Email: dgft@nic.in
(Issued from File No. 01/89/180/42/AM-25/PC-2[A]/E-43560
