The Indian government’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, to extend the export obligation period for certain imports. This change affects businesses with an Advance Authorisation (AA) that import goods subject to mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs), specifically those from the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC). Previously, these businesses had a 180-day (six-month) deadline to fulfill their export obligations after the imported goods were cleared. With this amendment, the export obligation period has been extended to 18 months. The new policy, effective immediately, states that the export obligation period for all AA holders will now follow the guidelines in Para 4.40 of the Handbook of Procedures, providing more time for companies to complete their export requirements.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan
Notification No. 28/2025-26 – DGFT | Dated: 28th August, 2025
Subject: Amendment in Para 2.03(A) (i) (g) of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 laying down enabling provisions for import of inputs, that are subjected to mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs), by Advance Authorisation holders, EOU and SEZ.
S.O. 3966(E).- In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (No. 22 of 1992), as amended, read with Para 1.02 and 2.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendments relating to Advance Authorisation in Para 2.03(A) (i) (g) of FTP, 2023, notified vide Notification No. 71/2023 dated 11.03.2024 as amended from time to time , with immediate effect:
| Existing Para 2.03(A) (i) (g) | Revised Para 2.03(A) (i) (g) |
| The Export Obligation period for such authorizations shall be as per Para 4.40 of Handbook of Procedures. However, EO period is restricted to 180 days from the date of clearance of import consignments in respect of QCO exemption for chemical products, notified by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC). | The Export Obligation period for such authorizations shall be as per Para 4.40 of Handbook of Procedures. |
Effect of this Notification:
The Export Obligation Period against the import of the products that are subjected to mandatory QCOs by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC), under Advance Authorisation has been extended from existing 06 months to 18 months. Henceforth, EO period for all AA holders shall be as per Para 4.40 of Handbook of Procedures.
This issued with the approval of Minister of Commerce & Industry.
(Ajay Bhadoo)
Addl. Secretary to the Government of India &
Director General of Foreign Trade
Email: dgft@nic.in
[Issued from File No.01/89/180/13/AM-15/PC-2[A]/E-5910]
