Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Public Notice No. 34/2025-26 on 1 December 2025, introducing an amendment to Paragraph 6.34 of Chapter 6 of the Handbook of Procedure (HBP) 2023 under the Foreign Trade Policy. The amendment replaces the earlier provision governing extensions of the validity period of Letters of Permission/Letters of Intent (LOP/LOI) for units such as EOUs, BTPs, EHTPs, and STPs. Under the revised framework, once a unit commences production, the validity of its LOP/LOI may be extended for up to five years at a time as per Para 6.01(c) of the HBP. Additionally, the initial two-year validity period may be extended by one more year for justified reasons, except where specific restrictions apply, such as for oil refinery projects. The change aims to provide greater clarity and streamline administrative processes related to validity extensions for eligible units.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Public Notice No. 34/2025-26 – DGFT | Dated: 1 December, 2025
Subject: Amendment in Para 6.34 of Chapter 6 of Handbook of Procedure 2023 — regd.
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 amendment in Para 6.34 of Chapter 6 of HBP 2023
| Para No. | Existing Provision | Proposed Amendment |
| 6.34
(h)
|
Extend validity period of LoP beyond initial validity period of LoP (except in case where there is a restriction on initial period of approval, like setting up of oil refinery projects) as per Paragraph 6.05 (a) of FTP; | Extend as per para 6.01( c) of the HBP, the
i. validity period of LOP/L01 once unit commences production for a period of upto 5 years at a time or ii. The 2 years initial validity period of LOP/L01 ( except in case where there is a restriction on initial period of approval, like setting up of oil refinery project) by one additional year for valid reasons to be recorded in writing. |
Effect of this Public Notice: This amendment has been introduced to provide greater clarity and to streamline the administrative processes relating to extension of LOP/L01 for EOU/BTP/EHTP/STPs.
(Ajay Bhadoo)
Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India &
Director General of Foreign Trade
Email: dgft@nic.in
[Issued from File No. 01/92/180/77AM-26/PC-VI, e-file Computer No: 44685]
