Pre-shipment inspection certificate timelines are shortened, while backlog certificates from earlier inspections receive a limited transitional issuance relaxation.
PSICs must be generated and issued within two days of inspection, with system access confined to that period and uploading required from the inspection location or country. A one-time seven-day transitional relaxation permits recognised Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies to clear backlog certificates for inspections completed before 25 August 2026 where system restrictions prevented issuance. Other PSIA/PSIC requirements remain unchanged.

Non-preferential rules of origin would govern export qualification, certificates, import origin declarations, and risk-based verification.
Proposed non-preferential rules of origin require export goods to be manufactured by the exporter and, where imported inputs are used, to undergo processing beyond specified minimal operations. Export certificates of origin evidence origin without preferential tariff entitlement and may be issued electronically by authorised agencies; eligible Status Holder manufacturer exporters may self-certify. Import origin is determined through wholly obtained criteria for specified agricultural goods and, for other goods, tariff-heading change or prescribed value addition. Importers must self-declare origin, with clearance generally based on that declaration and limited risk-based verification.

Raw sugar tariff-rate quota surrender timeline extends, while existing surrender charges and all other allocation conditions remain unchanged.
Timeline for surrender of unutilised tariff-rate quota (TRQ) quantities allocated for import of 10 lakh MT of raw sugar is extended until 30 September 2026. TRQ holders may surrender unutilised allocated quantities subject to payment of an amount equal to 0.5% of the CIF value of the quantity surrendered, in accordance with existing modalities. All other conditions governing the raw-sugar TRQ allocation and surrender process remain unchanged.

Unutilized Standard Input Output Norms face suspension after stakeholder consultation under Advance Authorisation and Duty-Free Import Authorisation schemes.
DGFT proposes suspension of 544 Standard Input Output Norms identified as unutilized under the Advance Authorisation and Duty-Free Import Authorisation schemes during the preceding three financial years. Stakeholders may submit comments, supporting material, reasons for retention, and details of actual or proposed utilization within 15 days. After considering timely submissions, the identified norms may be suspended, while delayed comments may not be considered.

Open API integration for Certificates of Origin enables secure electronic filing, dynamic validation, digital signatures, and certificate verification.
Open API integration enables eligible exporters to connect their software systems with the Certificate of Origin platform for electronic application submission, issuance, and verification. Access requires onboarding credentials, IP whitelisting, a configured document signer, authenticated token generation, and compliance with prescribed technical specifications. The CoO File API supports submission of applicant, certificate, product, shipment, supporting-document, and declaration data, with dynamic validation based on the selected trade agreement. Digital signatures protect data integrity, sender authentication, and non-repudiation, while ledger records track transaction status and the verification API confirms certificate validity.

One-time conversion of eligible raw sugar import authorisations to tariff quota receives an extended application deadline.
Eligible holders of Advance Authorisations under SION E-52 may apply for one-time conversion to tariff rate quota treatment for Raw Sugar imports during the extended window from 3 September 2026 through 7 September 2026, inclusive. The final filing date is 7 September 2026. Existing conditions governing such conversion continue to apply, and provisions may be amended, modified, relaxed, or withdrawn subject to the Foreign Trade Policy and applicable law.

Tariff rate quota allocation for raw sugar uses daily batches, timestamping, and pro-rata distribution upon exhaustion.
Balance raw sugar imports under the Tariff Rate Quota scheme are opened for fresh allocation to eligible millers and refiners through the DGFT online system. Applications are processed in daily batches according to the portal time stamp, subject to scrutiny, eligibility and remaining quota. Where a daily batch exceeds the available balance, allocation is made pro rata among that batch's applicants according to their applied quantities. Applications submitted after complete quota exhaustion are not considered.

Automated Free Sale and Commerce Certificates enable rule-based online issuance, while verification cases remain subject to manual review.
Automated issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates is enabled on the DGFT portal for eligible exporters of items outside the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. Qualifying online applications may be processed through a rule-based, system-driven workflow using a risk-based management approach. Applications requiring verification or not meeting automated processing parameters continue to be routed for manual processing by the concerned Regional Authority. Auto-approved applications may also be selected for subsequent review under risk-management parameters.

Bank Guarantee Repository workflows enable digital status tracking, expiry alerts, replacement linkage and electronically signed guarantee communications.
Enhanced functionality in the Bank Guarantee Repository Module enables digital submission, monitoring and processing of bank guarantees. The module distinguishes fresh and replacement guarantees, sends automated expiry alerts, and permits digitally signed renewal, encashment and return communications. Structured status tracking covers pending acceptance, acceptance, replacement, EODC return and renewal or encashment notices. Bank guarantees in the Bills Repository remain pending acceptance until accepted by the Regional Authority, but automatically become accepted when a linked AA/EPCG invalidation file is approved.

Digital PSIC issuance controls require same-day certification, automated inspector authentication, and enhanced inspection evidence uploads.
The PSIA/PSIC process requires same-day electronic generation and issuance of Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates, with the inspection date recorded in the DD/MMM/YYYY format. Authorised PSIA users may upload inspectors' signature and official stamp images for automatic embedding in PSICs. Inspector details and registered inspection instruments are system-populated and displayed to reduce manual errors. The process also expands permitted inspection photograph and video attachment capacity, while helpdesk channels support users with module-related guidance, issue resolution, suggestions, and feedback.

TRQ raw sugar processing requires conversion and domestic sale within two months of filing the bill of entry.
Tariff Rate Quota raw sugar imports must be converted into white/refined sugar and sold in the domestic market within a period not exceeding two months from filing the bill of entry. This replaces the earlier processing and sale timing condition. All other conditions governing TRQ application, distribution and one-time conversion from the Advance Authorisation Scheme to the TRQ Scheme remain unchanged.

Automated Export Obligation extension removes separate regional applications after committee approval, enabling portal-based fee payment and system-generated extension letters.
Automated processing of Export Obligation extension applies to Advance Authorisation and EPCG Authorisation cases approved by the PRC/EPCG Committee. Exporters need not submit a separate EO-extension application to the Regional Authority. After approval, the system issues a fee-payment letter; upon portal payment and submission of the response, it automatically creates and approves the extension file and generates the EO Extension Letter. The revised EO-expiry date is updated in authorisation records and transmitted to ICEGATE.

Raw sugar tariff rate quotas require capacity proof, domestic refining and sales, with conversion available for qualifying authorisations.
TRQ allocation for raw sugar imports is available to millers and refiners with functional in-house refining facilities, subject to online application, capacity evidence and scrutiny. Allocation considers refining capacity, requested quantity and import history. Holders must submit contractual evidence, import or surrender allocated quantities within prescribed periods, and process imported raw sugar at their own facilities. Every 1.05 kg of raw sugar must yield 1 kg of refined sugar sold domestically within the stipulated period. Eligible Advance Authorisation holders may convert to TRQ upon payment of exempted GST and compliance with domestic-sale and reporting conditions.

NBFC factoring remittance reporting streamlines IRM identification and enables exporters to self-certify electronic bank realisation certificates.
NBFC Factors remitting foreign-currency factoring proceeds to AD-I Banks must use the specified SWIFT message text so that AD-I Banks do not create Inward Remittance Messages for those funds. For Indian-currency funds released after export-bill discounting without a SWIFT message, customers seeking IRMs must approach the relevant Factor. Exporters may view NBFC Factor-linked remittance data on the DGFT portal and self-certify Electronic Bank Realisation Certificates by matching remittance details with invoices or shipping bills.

Enhanced due diligence for dealings with identified Bhutanese firms is advised to mitigate trade and payment risks.
DGFT advises heightened vigilance in dealings with M/s Legoy Powersports, Thimphu, and M/s Druk A-Z Store, Thimphu, following unresolved complaints and lack of substantive cooperation. Trade stakeholders must conduct comprehensive due diligence, assess transaction risks, sensitise trade participants, and consider the concerns when processing applications, extending credit support, providing trade facilitation, or issuing certifications. Adverse experiences, payment-related issues, contractual disputes, and other relevant information should be promptly reported to DGFT.

Wheat export quota utilization determines eligibility for reallocation, while unused quantities may be pooled for redistribution among eligible exporters.
Wheat export quota allocations are reviewed according to utilization and requests for additional quantities or surrender. Exporters must provide a Chartered Accountant-certified utilization certificate, shipping bill details, and supporting justification, export contracts, or purchase orders. Additional allocation requests also require a corresponding online amendment application. Further allocation may be considered where more than half of the authorized quantity has been used, while unused quantities under lower-utilization authorizations may enter a common pool for redistribution. Delayed or incomplete submissions may result in reallocation and exclusion from future restricted export authorizations.

Interest subvention administration shifts to EXIM Bank, while RBI continues processing supplementary export-credit claims for the transitional quarter.
Interest Subvention Support under the Export Promotion Mission-Niryat Protsahan is transitioned from RBI to EXIM Bank as implementing agency from 1 April 2026. EXIM Bank will manage operationalisation, portal workflows, verification and claim settlement. Lending institutions must pass subvention benefits upfront to eligible MSME exporters and submit externally audited reimbursement claims to EXIM Bank. EXIM Bank will verify IEC-specific annual ceilings, process monthly reimbursements and submit consolidated fund claims. Supplementary or additional claims for the January-March 2026 quarter will continue to be processed by RBI.

Start-up exporter visibility expands through Source from India registration, including an active-IEC exception for eligible DPIIT-recognized start-ups.
DPIIT-recognized start-ups may register on the "Source from India" feature of the Trade Connect ePlatform and receive a unique start-up badge where applicable eligibility conditions are met. A special exception allows such start-ups to register despite not meeting general exporter eligibility requirements, provided they hold an active IEC and are not included in the Denied Entity List. Users must link their Trade Connect accounts to eligible IECs, submit export details and declarations, and obtain approval before their microsites become publicly visible.

Voluntary duty payment records enable paperless EODC processing, with portal data recognised as the official payment record.
Voluntary duty payment data received from Customs/ICEGATE is integrated into the DGFT portal for digital processing of Export Obligation Discharge Certificate applications under the Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods schemes. Only portal-displayed payment details are recognised for EODC processing and closure. Authorisation holders should provide correct licence and IEC details, verify displayed payments before applying, and report discrepancies through the helpdesk. Regional Authorities must rely on portal-displayed records for payments made on or after August 1, 2026.

Tariff Rate Quota applications under the India-United Kingdom trade agreement receive an extended online submission deadline for calendar year 2026.
Online applications for allocation of Tariff Rate Quota under the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement for calendar year 2026 may be submitted up to 9 August 2026. The extension follows representations from trade and industry. All other terms and conditions governing Tariff Rate Quota allocation remain unchanged.