DGFT Upgrades the Bank Guarantee Repository Module: Expiry Alerts, a Purpose Field and Digitally Signed Communications

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has introduced new features in the Bank Guarantee (BG) Repository module on the DGFT portal through Trade Notice No. 23/2026-27 dated 28 August 2026. The upgrade improves how bank guarantees are tracked, renewed and returned across both the Customer Portal and the Back Office.

If your business runs Advance Authorisations, EPCG authorisations or other schemes where a bank guarantee is furnished to DGFT or Customs, this reduces the risk of a BG lapsing unnoticed and speeds up getting guarantees back.

What Happened

Exporters and importers often submit a bank guarantee to secure duty-free or concessional import benefits — for example under the Advance Authorisation or EPCG schemes — which is later released once the export obligation is fulfilled and the case is closed. The BG Repository module is DGFT's system for recording and monitoring these guarantees.

Trade Notice 23/2026-27 adds the following:

• Purpose field. A new "Purpose" field lets users specify whether a bank guarantee is being submitted as a fresh guarantee or as a replacement for an existing one — reducing ambiguity and mismatched records.
• Automated expiry alerts. The system will send automated email notifications 60 days and 45 days before a bank guarantee expires, giving holders time to renew or act.
• Digitally signed communications. Regional Authorities can now prepare and digitally sign communications directly through the portal, including communications relating to the return of bank guarantees to exporters.

The enhancements apply across both the Customer Portal (CP) and Back Office (BO) interfaces.

Why It Matters

A lapsed or mis-recorded bank guarantee causes real problems: invocation risk, blocked case closure, and delays in releasing the exporter's collateral or margin. The expiry alerts at 60 and 45 days give a clear window to renew before a BG lapses. The Purpose field prevents a replacement BG from being mistaken for a new liability. And digitally signed return communications shorten the paperwork loop when getting a guarantee released after export obligations are met — freeing up banking limits and cash margins.

Who's Affected

This affects exporters and importers who furnish bank guarantees under DGFT schemes — particularly Advance Authorisation and EPCG holders — along with their finance teams, banks and consultants who manage BG lifecycles, and DGFT Regional Authorities.

Operational Detail

The changes are process and monitoring improvements within the existing scheme framework; they do not alter when a bank guarantee is required or the conditions for its release. Email alerts depend on the contact details registered on the portal being current, so accurate registration is essential to actually receive them. The Purpose field should be completed correctly at submission to keep repository records clean.

What Exporters, Importers and Finance Teams Should Do Now

• Ensure the email address registered on the DGFT portal is monitored, so the 60-day and 45-day BG expiry alerts reach the right person.
• When submitting a BG, set the Purpose field correctly (fresh vs replacement) to avoid record mismatches.
• Track BG expiries against export-obligation timelines; use the alerts as a prompt to renew, extend or begin closure.
• On fulfilment of export obligation, pursue BG return through the portal and retain the digitally signed return communication for your records and your bank.
• Reconcile your internal BG register with the DGFT repository periodically.

The Bigger Picture

The BG Repository upgrade is one more strand of DGFT's 2026 portal modernisation — alongside Open API for Certificates of Origin, automated Free Sale and Commerce Certificate issuance, PSIA/PSIC enhancements, and the earlier move to automatic ICEGATE data flows for Advance Authorisation and EPCG closure. Together they reduce manual paperwork and lower the chance of avoidable lapses in scheme compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who furnishes bank guarantees to DGFT? Typically exporters and importers availing scheme benefits such as Advance Authorisation or EPCG, where a BG secures the concessional or duty-free imports pending fulfilment of the export obligation.

What do the new expiry alerts do? The system emails the holder 60 days and 45 days before a bank guarantee expires, giving time to renew or act before it lapses.

What is the Purpose field for? It records whether a BG is a fresh submission or a replacement for an existing guarantee, keeping repository records accurate.

Does this change when my BG is released? No. Release still depends on fulfilling the export obligation and closing the case. The upgrade streamlines the communication and monitoring around it.

Conclusion

Trade Notice 23/2026-27 makes bank-guarantee tracking less error-prone and BG returns faster to document. The practical win — fewer lapsed guarantees and quicker release of collateral — depends on keeping portal contact details current and using the Purpose field correctly.

This article is for general guidance only. Refer to the full text of DGFT Trade Notice No. 23/2026-27 and the current scheme rules on the DGFT portal before acting.