Summary : The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued Public Notice No. 40/2026-27 dated 13 November 2026, amending Paragraph 2.88 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 and Appendix 2B of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. Exercising powers under Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of FTP 2023, the DGFT has inserted the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as a new entry, numbered xvii, in the list of Free Trade Agreements under Paragraph 2.88(a). The amendment also incorporates the agreement into Appendix 2B, identifying the agencies authorised to issue preferential Certificates of Origin for exports covered by the agreement. The authorised agencies include the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and its regional offices, Export Inspection Council and Export Inspection Agencies, APEDA, Marine Products Export Development Authority, Central Silk Board, Coir Board, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Spices Board, Textile Committee, Tobacco Board and specified Special Economic Zones. Their authorisation varies according to product category and territorial jurisdiction. DGFT and the Export Inspection Council agencies are listed for all products, while other agencies have product-specific or SEZ-jurisdiction-based responsibilities. The amendment establishes the administrative framework for issuing preferential Certificates of Origin under the India–New Zealand FTA. The Public Notice does not independently specify the date on which preferential tariff benefits commence or the applicable tariff concessions.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Public Notice No. 40/2026-27-DGFT | Dated: 13th November, 2026
Subject: Amendments in Para 2.88 of Handbook of Procedures, 2023 and Appendix 2B of Foreign Trade Policy, 2023-reg.
In exercise of powers conferred under paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby makes the following amendments:
(A) Under Para 2.88 (a) of the Handbook of Procedures 2023, a new entry with serial no. xvii is inserted after the existing list of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as under:
“xvii. India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (India-New Zealand FTA)”
(B) Under Appendix-2B [List of Authorised to issue Certificate of Origin (CoO) (Preferential)] of the FTP, the list of Authorised Agencies allowed to issue CoO for India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is included, as under:
| S.No. | Name of the Agreement | Authorized Agencies | Product Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22. | India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (India-New Zealand FTA) | Directorate General of Foreign Trade and its regional offices | All products |
| Export Inspection Council and Export Inspection Agencies | All products | ||
| Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) | Agricultural and Processed Food Products | ||
| Marine Products Export Development Authority and regional offices | Marine products | ||
| Central Silk Board and regional offices | Silk products | ||
| Coir Board | Coir and Coir products | ||
| Development Commissioner, Handicraft and regional offices | Handicraft | ||
| Spices Board | Spices and Cashewnuts | ||
| Textile Committee and regional offices | Textiles including technical textiles, Apparel and Made-ups | ||
| Tobacco Board | Tobacco and tobacco products | ||
| Cochin Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, Cochin SEZ | ||
| Falta Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, Falta SEZ | ||
| Kandla Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, Kandla SEZ and Surat SEZ | ||
| MEPZ Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, MEPZ SEZ | ||
| NOIDA Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, Noida SEZ | ||
| SEEPZ Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, SEEPZ SEZ | ||
| Vishakhapatnam Special Economic Zone | All products by SEZ units and EOUs located within the jurisdiction of Zonal DC, Vishakhapatnam SEZ |
Effect of the Public Notice: (A) India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has been added under the list of FTAs under Para 2.88 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023; and (B) The list of authorized agencies permitted to issue Preferential Certificate of Origin under the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is incorporated into Appendix-2B.
(Lav Agarwal)
Director General of Foreign Trade &
Ex-officio Addl. Secretary to Govt. of India
Email: [email protected]
[Issued from File No. 01/89/180/70/AM-25/PC-2(A) / e-44653]
