DGFT Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27 (5 Aug 2026) removes the need to submit physical duty-payment challans when closing Advance Authorisation and EPCG cases. For voluntary duty paid on or after 1 Aug 2026, licence-wise payment data flows automatically from ICEGATE into DGFT's system via API, cutting paperwork and closure delays.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to large operators from 30 December 2026 (and to small operators from 30 June 2027). Indian exporters of coffee, leather, rubber, wood, cocoa, soy and palm-oil products to the EU must provide geolocation-based due diligence proving goods are deforestation-free — even though India is rated "low risk."
Since 1 January 2026 the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive phase: EU importers of iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity must surrender certificates for verified embedded emissions. Indian exporters must supply verified emissions data or risk higher costs and lost EU orders.
India's food-import regime has tightened in 2026: Foreign Food Manufacturing Facility (FFMF) registration on ReFoM is now mandatory for high-risk categories, prior intimation via FICS is required before consignments arrive, and from 1 May 2026 all imported-food testing must use FSSAI-approved methods. A practical briefing for food importers and CHAs.
CBIC Circular No. 36/2026-Customs (20 Aug 2026) continues facilitative transhipment measures for international cargo disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz closure — permitting FCL/LCL and bulk cargo diverted to Indian ports to be stored and re-exported without home-consumption clearance. In force to 31 October 2026.
CBIC Circular No. 28/2026-Customs lets Customs accept exporters' NABL- or EPC-accredited test reports for export consignments without mandatorily sending samples to Revenue (CRCL) laboratories, where there is no risk-based intervention — cutting duplicate testing and clearance delays. Import-sample testing is unchanged.
India's list of upcoming BIS Quality Control Orders shows HDPE/PP woven sacks for cement packaging (IS 11652, IS 17399, IS 16709) becoming mandatory from 6 October 2026, plus a wide QCO for household/commercial electrical appliances (IS 302 Part 1). Importers and manufacturers must hold valid BIS certification before enforcement.
DGFT Public Notice No. 18/2026-27 (1 July 2026) automatically extends the validity of FY2025-26 TRQ authorisations for duty-concession gold imports under the India–UAE CEPA from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026. No fresh application, fee or endorsement is needed. Holders should complete imports before the new cut-off.
DGFT Notification No. 30/2026-27 amends FTP 2023 so that eligible export proceeds realised in Indian rupees through prescribed banking channels count fully towards export incentives, benefits and export-obligation fulfilment — removing a long-standing ambiguity for rupee-settled trade.
DPIIT's Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 3417(E), 25 June 2026) exempts imports from a new QCO if the goods were dispatched or ordered before the QCO's start date and the Bill of Entry is filed within 180 days. Key with fresh QCO deadlines landing in September 2026.
CBIC's Notification No. 73/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 1 September 2026 (SCMTR Third Amendment) pushes the specified Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment compliance date to 31 October 2026 — buying shipping lines, forwarders and CHAs more transition time on advance manifest filing.
DGFT Notifications No. 34/2026-27 and 35/2026-27 (24 August 2026) move wheat and wheat-flour products (atta, maida, sooji, wholemeal) from 'Prohibited' to 'Free' with immediate effect — reopening a major export line for grain traders and millers after years of curbs.
DGFT Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 (1 September 2026) reopens the balance ~2,02,550 MT of the 10 lakh MT duty-free raw sugar TRQ, now allocated daily to eligible mills and refiners. A live opportunity for sugar importers amid a firm domestic price outlook.
The current RoDTEP extension (DGFT Notification No. 74/2025-26) keeps existing rates and caps in force only up to 30 September 2026. With no further extension yet notified, exporters should file claims promptly and stress-test pricing for a possible rate change or gap from 1 October.
Via Trade Notice No. 24/2026-27 (31 August 2026), DGFT now issues Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) automatically on its portal for eligible applications. Faster, more predictable turnaround for exporters of non-drug/cosmetic products that need proof a good is freely sold in India.
RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) explained for exporters: what it is, its legal basis in FTP 2023 Para 2.57, and the crucial distinction clarified by DGFT Trade Notice 19/2024-25 — it is required for FTP authorisations like Advance Authorisation and EPCG, but not for post-export remission schemes (RoDTEP, RoSCTL, Duty Drawback). Covers validity, the ANF 2C application, council selection and compliance.
A 2026 primer on the Customs Act, 1962 for importers: what the Act does, the bill of entry (Section 46) and warehousing route, valuation (Section 14) and assessment, duties and clearance (Section 47), duty drawback on re-export (Section 74), penalties, and the key Finance Act 2025 reforms — the two-year limit on finalising provisional assessments (Section 18(1B)) and voluntary post-clearance revision (Section 18A).
DGFT has operationalised an inventory-based e-commerce export framework letting foreign-funded firms hold Indian-made goods purely for export through a registered Exporter-on-Record — with access to export incentives. Here is what changed and what exporters should do.
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
A 2026 guide to India's SEZ framework under the SEZ Act 2005 and SEZ Rules 2006 (as amended): the customs, GST and operational benefits; the positive Net Foreign Exchange compliance obligation and monitoring; the step-by-step exit process; and the latest 2025–2026 changes including the Budget 2026-27 one-time DTA-sale concession and semiconductor land-norm relaxations.
Budget 2026-27 and the Finance Act 2026 reshape export economics: bigger duty-free input limits for seafood and footwear, a one-year export window, zero-rating for intermediary services, easier GST refunds, a one-time SEZ-to-DTA concession, and a 45% cut in RoDTEP funding.
DGFT Notification No. 15/2026-27 (dated 30 April 2026, effective 1 May 2026) adds 142 new tariff lines to India's RoDTEP export incentive schedule — including blueberries, cranberries, shea nuts, herbal extracts and RO membranes — while deleting 50 and aligning the scheme with the Finance Act 2026 customs tariff changes.
The ten 2026 trade policy developments that matter most to Indian MSME exporters — the Export Promotion Mission framework, 2.75% interest subvention on export credit and factoring, collateral-free credit under CGSE and the revised MCGS, removal of the courier export cap, dedicated e-commerce exporter credit, the India-UK CETA entering force, the widening FTA map, and the proposed RCMC exemption for low-value consignments.
DGFT has extended the Minimum Export Price on natural honey to USD 1,400 per metric tonne (FOB) until 31 December 2026 via Notification No. 09/2026-27. This news piece explains the notification, what MEP is (a price floor, not a ban, duty or quota), how it differs from Minimum Import Price, the recent track record of MEP changes on onion and rice, and a step-by-step compliance check for exporters.
A plain-English guide to the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) — what it is, why it's mandatory for exporters in India, who needs it, the documents and ₹500 fee, how to apply on the DGFT portal, and the mandatory annual updation that keeps it active in 2026.
How phytosanitary and SPS rules govern India's agri exports: the WTO SPS Agreement and IPPC, the Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914, the Plant Quarantine Order 2003, who needs a Phytosanitary Certificate, the PQIS application process, fees, timelines and compliance tips.
A complete guide to India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — the shift to an open-ended dynamic policy, its legal framework under the FTDR Act, ITC (HS) classification, duty exemption and remission schemes, and the 2026 amendments every exporter should know, including the Export Promotion Mission's consolidation of IES and MAI.
Understand India's Advance Authorisation Scheme, eligibility, benefits, application process, export obligation, SION norms, amendments, closure, and best practices for duty-free import of inputs used in export production.
Duty-free entry for low-value parcels is disappearing in India's biggest markets. The US ended its $800 de minimis exemption for most imports, with CBP running a voluntary Entry Type 13 test for mail shipments up to $2,500 from 22 September 2026 and a per-parcel fee due by 1 November. The EU scrapped its €150 duty exemption on 1 July 2026. A corridor read for Indian e-commerce exporters and forwarders.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said (4 Sep 2026) India will sign a trade deal with the US only once Washington offers a preferential tariff rate that keeps Indian exporters ahead of competitors. A corridor read on what the sticking point means for India-to-USA shippers and how to plan while talks continue.
Since 1 January 2026 the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive phase: EU importers of iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity must surrender certificates for verified embedded emissions. Indian exporters must supply verified emissions data or risk higher costs and lost EU orders.
DGFT Public Notice No. 18/2026-27 (1 July 2026) automatically extends the validity of FY2025-26 TRQ authorisations for duty-concession gold imports under the India–UAE CEPA from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026. No fresh application, fee or endorsement is needed. Holders should complete imports before the new cut-off.
DGFT Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 (1 September 2026) reopens the balance ~2,02,550 MT of the 10 lakh MT duty-free raw sugar TRQ, now allocated daily to eligible mills and refiners. A live opportunity for sugar importers amid a firm domestic price outlook.
The current RoDTEP extension (DGFT Notification No. 74/2025-26) keeps existing rates and caps in force only up to 30 September 2026. With no further extension yet notified, exporters should file claims promptly and stress-test pricing for a possible rate change or gap from 1 October.
A status check on every India FTA moving in 2026: UK CETA and Oman CEPA are now in force, the EU and New Zealand deals are signed but not yet ratified, and the US and GCC talks remain open — plus what each shift means for exporters and importers.
A 2026 primer on the Customs Act, 1962 for importers: what the Act does, the bill of entry (Section 46) and warehousing route, valuation (Section 14) and assessment, duties and clearance (Section 47), duty drawback on re-export (Section 74), penalties, and the key Finance Act 2025 reforms — the two-year limit on finalising provisional assessments (Section 18(1B)) and voluntary post-clearance revision (Section 18A).
A 2026 guide to India's SEZ framework under the SEZ Act 2005 and SEZ Rules 2006 (as amended): the customs, GST and operational benefits; the positive Net Foreign Exchange compliance obligation and monitoring; the step-by-step exit process; and the latest 2025–2026 changes including the Budget 2026-27 one-time DTA-sale concession and semiconductor land-norm relaxations.
Budget 2026-27 and the Finance Act 2026 reshape export economics: bigger duty-free input limits for seafood and footwear, a one-year export window, zero-rating for intermediary services, easier GST refunds, a one-time SEZ-to-DTA concession, and a 45% cut in RoDTEP funding.
DGFT Notification No. 15/2026-27 (dated 30 April 2026, effective 1 May 2026) adds 142 new tariff lines to India's RoDTEP export incentive schedule — including blueberries, cranberries, shea nuts, herbal extracts and RO membranes — while deleting 50 and aligning the scheme with the Finance Act 2026 customs tariff changes.
The ten 2026 trade policy developments that matter most to Indian MSME exporters — the Export Promotion Mission framework, 2.75% interest subvention on export credit and factoring, collateral-free credit under CGSE and the revised MCGS, removal of the courier export cap, dedicated e-commerce exporter credit, the India-UK CETA entering force, the widening FTA map, and the proposed RCMC exemption for low-value consignments.
DGFT has extended the Minimum Export Price on natural honey to USD 1,400 per metric tonne (FOB) until 31 December 2026 via Notification No. 09/2026-27. This news piece explains the notification, what MEP is (a price floor, not a ban, duty or quota), how it differs from Minimum Import Price, the recent track record of MEP changes on onion and rice, and a step-by-step compliance check for exporters.
A practical walkthrough of the import customs clearance process in India — from advance Bill of Entry filing on ICEGATE through assessment, examination, duty payment, and Out of Charge, plus common delays and how to avoid them.
A complete guide to India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — the shift to an open-ended dynamic policy, its legal framework under the FTDR Act, ITC (HS) classification, duty exemption and remission schemes, and the 2026 amendments every exporter should know, including the Export Promotion Mission's consolidation of IES and MAI.
A step-by-step guide to obtaining a Certificate of Origin in India on the eCoO 2.0 platform. Covers preferential vs non-preferential certificates, the mandatory e-filing rules, the April 2026 DGFT amendments on invoice matching and authorised agencies, the Approved Exporter self-certification route, and common rejection reasons.
A step-by-step simulated example showing how an exporter of electronic toys (HS 9503) calculates the RoDTEP rebate on a shipment, applies the rate-vs-cap rule, projects the annual benefit, and converts e-scrips into cash. Figures are illustrative.
Understand India's RoDTEP scheme: what it is, why it replaced MEIS, the embedded taxes it refunds, how e-scrips work, rates, eligibility, the step-by-step claim process, 2026 updates, and best practices for exporters.
Duty-free entry for low-value parcels is disappearing in India's biggest markets. The US ended its $800 de minimis exemption for most imports, with CBP running a voluntary Entry Type 13 test for mail shipments up to $2,500 from 22 September 2026 and a per-parcel fee due by 1 November. The EU scrapped its €150 duty exemption on 1 July 2026. A corridor read for Indian e-commerce exporters and forwarders.
DGFT Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27 (5 Aug 2026) removes the need to submit physical duty-payment challans when closing Advance Authorisation and EPCG cases. For voluntary duty paid on or after 1 Aug 2026, licence-wise payment data flows automatically from ICEGATE into DGFT's system via API, cutting paperwork and closure delays.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to large operators from 30 December 2026 (and to small operators from 30 June 2027). Indian exporters of coffee, leather, rubber, wood, cocoa, soy and palm-oil products to the EU must provide geolocation-based due diligence proving goods are deforestation-free — even though India is rated "low risk."
CBIC Circular No. 36/2026-Customs (20 Aug 2026) continues facilitative transhipment measures for international cargo disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz closure — permitting FCL/LCL and bulk cargo diverted to Indian ports to be stored and re-exported without home-consumption clearance. In force to 31 October 2026.
CBIC Circular No. 28/2026-Customs lets Customs accept exporters' NABL- or EPC-accredited test reports for export consignments without mandatorily sending samples to Revenue (CRCL) laboratories, where there is no risk-based intervention — cutting duplicate testing and clearance delays. Import-sample testing is unchanged.
CBIC's Notification No. 73/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 1 September 2026 (SCMTR Third Amendment) pushes the specified Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment compliance date to 31 October 2026 — buying shipping lines, forwarders and CHAs more transition time on advance manifest filing.
Via Trade Notice No. 24/2026-27 (31 August 2026), DGFT now issues Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) automatically on its portal for eligible applications. Faster, more predictable turnaround for exporters of non-drug/cosmetic products that need proof a good is freely sold in India.
A status check on every India FTA moving in 2026: UK CETA and Oman CEPA are now in force, the EU and New Zealand deals are signed but not yet ratified, and the US and GCC talks remain open — plus what each shift means for exporters and importers.
A 2026 primer on the Customs Act, 1962 for importers: what the Act does, the bill of entry (Section 46) and warehousing route, valuation (Section 14) and assessment, duties and clearance (Section 47), duty drawback on re-export (Section 74), penalties, and the key Finance Act 2025 reforms — the two-year limit on finalising provisional assessments (Section 18(1B)) and voluntary post-clearance revision (Section 18A).
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
DGFT has extended the Minimum Export Price on natural honey to USD 1,400 per metric tonne (FOB) until 31 December 2026 via Notification No. 09/2026-27. This news piece explains the notification, what MEP is (a price floor, not a ban, duty or quota), how it differs from Minimum Import Price, the recent track record of MEP changes on onion and rice, and a step-by-step compliance check for exporters.
A practical walkthrough of the import customs clearance process in India — from advance Bill of Entry filing on ICEGATE through assessment, examination, duty payment, and Out of Charge, plus common delays and how to avoid them.
A plain-English guide to the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) — what it is, why it's mandatory for exporters in India, who needs it, the documents and ₹500 fee, how to apply on the DGFT portal, and the mandatory annual updation that keeps it active in 2026.
How phytosanitary and SPS rules govern India's agri exports: the WTO SPS Agreement and IPPC, the Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914, the Plant Quarantine Order 2003, who needs a Phytosanitary Certificate, the PQIS application process, fees, timelines and compliance tips.
A step-by-step guide to obtaining a Certificate of Origin in India on the eCoO 2.0 platform. Covers preferential vs non-preferential certificates, the mandatory e-filing rules, the April 2026 DGFT amendments on invoice matching and authorised agencies, the Approved Exporter self-certification route, and common rejection reasons.
A practical guide to choosing the correct Incoterms 2020 rule for your shipment. Covers all 11 terms, the any-mode vs sea-only split, a five-question decision framework, common scenarios for Indian exporters, and the mistakes that cost money.
A run of typhoons has closed and congested major Chinese ports, pushing Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index up for five straight weeks to $1,312 per 40ft as of early September 2026. Shanghai–Nhava Sheva spot rates jumped about 26% to $2,970 and vessel waiting times climbed. Indian importers sourcing from China, Vietnam and East Asia should build in buffers ahead of the festival season.
In early September 2026, Asia–Europe spot rates eased as lines gradually returned to Suez, adding capacity into softening demand. Drewry's WCI held near $4,465/40ft while Shanghai–Rotterdam slipped ~5% to ~$4,092. A corridor read for India-to-Europe exporters on what the shift means for cost, capacity and contracting.
CBIC Circular No. 36/2026-Customs (20 Aug 2026) continues facilitative transhipment measures for international cargo disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz closure — permitting FCL/LCL and bulk cargo diverted to Indian ports to be stored and re-exported without home-consumption clearance. In force to 31 October 2026.
Monsoon disruption, tight carrier capacity, equipment shortages and redirected cargo are straining Nhava Sheva/JNPA, with import-container evacuation reportedly exceeding seven days in cases. Traders should build in buffers and watch for congestion surcharges through September 2026.
CBIC's Notification No. 73/2026-Customs (N.T.) dated 1 September 2026 (SCMTR Third Amendment) pushes the specified Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment compliance date to 31 October 2026 — buying shipping lines, forwarders and CHAs more transition time on advance manifest filing.
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
A practical guide to choosing the correct Incoterms 2020 rule for your shipment. Covers all 11 terms, the any-mode vs sea-only split, a five-question decision framework, common scenarios for Indian exporters, and the mistakes that cost money.
DGFT Notification No. 30/2026-27 amends FTP 2023 so that eligible export proceeds realised in Indian rupees through prescribed banking channels count fully towards export incentives, benefits and export-obligation fulfilment — removing a long-standing ambiguity for rupee-settled trade.
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
Budget 2026-27 and the Finance Act 2026 reshape export economics: bigger duty-free input limits for seafood and footwear, a one-year export window, zero-rating for intermediary services, easier GST refunds, a one-time SEZ-to-DTA concession, and a 45% cut in RoDTEP funding.
The ten 2026 trade policy developments that matter most to Indian MSME exporters — the Export Promotion Mission framework, 2.75% interest subvention on export credit and factoring, collateral-free credit under CGSE and the revised MCGS, removal of the courier export cap, dedicated e-commerce exporter credit, the India-UK CETA entering force, the widening FTA map, and the proposed RCMC exemption for low-value consignments.
A guide to the government schemes supporting India's chemical and pharmaceutical cluster exports — PLI for Bulk Drugs, PLI for Pharmaceuticals, Bulk Drug Parks, PRIP, SPI and PCPIR — plus Pharmexcil and Chemexcil membership, the RELIEF intervention, and the GMP compliance layer that governs regulated-market access.
A practical guide to choosing the correct Incoterms 2020 rule for your shipment. Covers all 11 terms, the any-mode vs sea-only split, a five-question decision framework, common scenarios for Indian exporters, and the mistakes that cost money.
DGFT Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27 (5 Aug 2026) removes the need to submit physical duty-payment challans when closing Advance Authorisation and EPCG cases. For voluntary duty paid on or after 1 Aug 2026, licence-wise payment data flows automatically from ICEGATE into DGFT's system via API, cutting paperwork and closure delays.
DGFT Notification No. 30/2026-27 amends FTP 2023 so that eligible export proceeds realised in Indian rupees through prescribed banking channels count fully towards export incentives, benefits and export-obligation fulfilment — removing a long-standing ambiguity for rupee-settled trade.
The current RoDTEP extension (DGFT Notification No. 74/2025-26) keeps existing rates and caps in force only up to 30 September 2026. With no further extension yet notified, exporters should file claims promptly and stress-test pricing for a possible rate change or gap from 1 October.
RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) explained for exporters: what it is, its legal basis in FTP 2023 Para 2.57, and the crucial distinction clarified by DGFT Trade Notice 19/2024-25 — it is required for FTP authorisations like Advance Authorisation and EPCG, but not for post-export remission schemes (RoDTEP, RoSCTL, Duty Drawback). Covers validity, the ANF 2C application, council selection and compliance.
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
A 2026 guide to India's SEZ framework under the SEZ Act 2005 and SEZ Rules 2006 (as amended): the customs, GST and operational benefits; the positive Net Foreign Exchange compliance obligation and monitoring; the step-by-step exit process; and the latest 2025–2026 changes including the Budget 2026-27 one-time DTA-sale concession and semiconductor land-norm relaxations.
Budget 2026-27 and the Finance Act 2026 reshape export economics: bigger duty-free input limits for seafood and footwear, a one-year export window, zero-rating for intermediary services, easier GST refunds, a one-time SEZ-to-DTA concession, and a 45% cut in RoDTEP funding.
DGFT Notification No. 15/2026-27 (dated 30 April 2026, effective 1 May 2026) adds 142 new tariff lines to India's RoDTEP export incentive schedule — including blueberries, cranberries, shea nuts, herbal extracts and RO membranes — while deleting 50 and aligning the scheme with the Finance Act 2026 customs tariff changes.
The ten 2026 trade policy developments that matter most to Indian MSME exporters — the Export Promotion Mission framework, 2.75% interest subvention on export credit and factoring, collateral-free credit under CGSE and the revised MCGS, removal of the courier export cap, dedicated e-commerce exporter credit, the India-UK CETA entering force, the widening FTA map, and the proposed RCMC exemption for low-value consignments.
A complete guide to India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — the shift to an open-ended dynamic policy, its legal framework under the FTDR Act, ITC (HS) classification, duty exemption and remission schemes, and the 2026 amendments every exporter should know, including the Export Promotion Mission's consolidation of IES and MAI.
A guide to the government schemes supporting India's chemical and pharmaceutical cluster exports — PLI for Bulk Drugs, PLI for Pharmaceuticals, Bulk Drug Parks, PRIP, SPI and PCPIR — plus Pharmexcil and Chemexcil membership, the RELIEF intervention, and the GMP compliance layer that governs regulated-market access.
A 2026 guide to the top 10 government schemes for Indian exporters — RoDTEP, RoSCTL, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, Duty Drawback, the Export Promotion Mission (which now houses interest subvention and market access support), TMA, SEZ/EOU and PLI. Covers what each scheme does, eligibility, benefits and how to claim.
A step-by-step simulated example showing how an exporter of electronic toys (HS 9503) calculates the RoDTEP rebate on a shipment, applies the rate-vs-cap rule, projects the annual benefit, and converts e-scrips into cash. Figures are illustrative.
Understand India's RoDTEP scheme: what it is, why it replaced MEIS, the embedded taxes it refunds, how e-scrips work, rates, eligibility, the step-by-step claim process, 2026 updates, and best practices for exporters.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to large operators from 30 December 2026 (and to small operators from 30 June 2027). Indian exporters of coffee, leather, rubber, wood, cocoa, soy and palm-oil products to the EU must provide geolocation-based due diligence proving goods are deforestation-free — even though India is rated "low risk."
Since 1 January 2026 the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive phase: EU importers of iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity must surrender certificates for verified embedded emissions. Indian exporters must supply verified emissions data or risk higher costs and lost EU orders.
India's food-import regime has tightened in 2026: Foreign Food Manufacturing Facility (FFMF) registration on ReFoM is now mandatory for high-risk categories, prior intimation via FICS is required before consignments arrive, and from 1 May 2026 all imported-food testing must use FSSAI-approved methods. A practical briefing for food importers and CHAs.
CBIC Circular No. 28/2026-Customs lets Customs accept exporters' NABL- or EPC-accredited test reports for export consignments without mandatorily sending samples to Revenue (CRCL) laboratories, where there is no risk-based intervention — cutting duplicate testing and clearance delays. Import-sample testing is unchanged.
India's list of upcoming BIS Quality Control Orders shows HDPE/PP woven sacks for cement packaging (IS 11652, IS 17399, IS 16709) becoming mandatory from 6 October 2026, plus a wide QCO for household/commercial electrical appliances (IS 302 Part 1). Importers and manufacturers must hold valid BIS certification before enforcement.
DPIIT's Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 3417(E), 25 June 2026) exempts imports from a new QCO if the goods were dispatched or ordered before the QCO's start date and the Bill of Entry is filed within 180 days. Key with fresh QCO deadlines landing in September 2026.
How phytosanitary and SPS rules govern India's agri exports: the WTO SPS Agreement and IPPC, the Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914, the Plant Quarantine Order 2003, who needs a Phytosanitary Certificate, the PQIS application process, fees, timelines and compliance tips.
A guide to the government schemes supporting India's chemical and pharmaceutical cluster exports — PLI for Bulk Drugs, PLI for Pharmaceuticals, Bulk Drug Parks, PRIP, SPI and PCPIR — plus Pharmexcil and Chemexcil membership, the RELIEF intervention, and the GMP compliance layer that governs regulated-market access.
Duty-free entry for low-value parcels is disappearing in India's biggest markets. The US ended its $800 de minimis exemption for most imports, with CBP running a voluntary Entry Type 13 test for mail shipments up to $2,500 from 22 September 2026 and a per-parcel fee due by 1 November. The EU scrapped its €150 duty exemption on 1 July 2026. A corridor read for Indian e-commerce exporters and forwarders.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said (4 Sep 2026) India will sign a trade deal with the US only once Washington offers a preferential tariff rate that keeps Indian exporters ahead of competitors. A corridor read on what the sticking point means for India-to-USA shippers and how to plan while talks continue.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to large operators from 30 December 2026 (and to small operators from 30 June 2027). Indian exporters of coffee, leather, rubber, wood, cocoa, soy and palm-oil products to the EU must provide geolocation-based due diligence proving goods are deforestation-free — even though India is rated "low risk."
Since 1 January 2026 the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been in its definitive phase: EU importers of iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity must surrender certificates for verified embedded emissions. Indian exporters must supply verified emissions data or risk higher costs and lost EU orders.
DGFT Public Notice No. 18/2026-27 (1 July 2026) automatically extends the validity of FY2025-26 TRQ authorisations for duty-concession gold imports under the India–UAE CEPA from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026. No fresh application, fee or endorsement is needed. Holders should complete imports before the new cut-off.
DGFT Notifications No. 34/2026-27 and 35/2026-27 (24 August 2026) move wheat and wheat-flour products (atta, maida, sooji, wholemeal) from 'Prohibited' to 'Free' with immediate effect — reopening a major export line for grain traders and millers after years of curbs.
Via Trade Notice No. 24/2026-27 (31 August 2026), DGFT now issues Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) automatically on its portal for eligible applications. Faster, more predictable turnaround for exporters of non-drug/cosmetic products that need proof a good is freely sold in India.
A status check on every India FTA moving in 2026: UK CETA and Oman CEPA are now in force, the EU and New Zealand deals are signed but not yet ratified, and the US and GCC talks remain open — plus what each shift means for exporters and importers.
DGFT has operationalised an inventory-based e-commerce export framework letting foreign-funded firms hold Indian-made goods purely for export through a registered Exporter-on-Record — with access to export incentives. Here is what changed and what exporters should do.
A beginner's FAQ for first-time exporters from India, answering the 20 most common questions — from IEC, AD Code and RCMC registration to HS codes, export documents, Incoterms, GST and LUT, payment security, RoDTEP claims, finding buyers, and the mistakes that cost new exporters money.
The ten 2026 trade policy developments that matter most to Indian MSME exporters — the Export Promotion Mission framework, 2.75% interest subvention on export credit and factoring, collateral-free credit under CGSE and the revised MCGS, removal of the courier export cap, dedicated e-commerce exporter credit, the India-UK CETA entering force, the widening FTA map, and the proposed RCMC exemption for low-value consignments.
A plain-English guide to the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) — what it is, why it's mandatory for exporters in India, who needs it, the documents and ₹500 fee, how to apply on the DGFT portal, and the mandatory annual updation that keeps it active in 2026.
How phytosanitary and SPS rules govern India's agri exports: the WTO SPS Agreement and IPPC, the Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914, the Plant Quarantine Order 2003, who needs a Phytosanitary Certificate, the PQIS application process, fees, timelines and compliance tips.
A complete guide to India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — the shift to an open-ended dynamic policy, its legal framework under the FTDR Act, ITC (HS) classification, duty exemption and remission schemes, and the 2026 amendments every exporter should know, including the Export Promotion Mission's consolidation of IES and MAI.
A step-by-step guide to obtaining a Certificate of Origin in India on the eCoO 2.0 platform. Covers preferential vs non-preferential certificates, the mandatory e-filing rules, the April 2026 DGFT amendments on invoice matching and authorised agencies, the Approved Exporter self-certification route, and common rejection reasons.
Recent updates
Typhoons Push Intra-Asia Freight Rates to Multi-Year Highs — India Importers of Chinese and Vietnamese Goods Should Plan for Delays
DGFT Ends Physical Challans for Authorisation Closure — ICEGATE Data Now Flows Automatically
EU Deforestation Regulation Bites from 30 December 2026 — India's Coffee, Leather, Rubber and Wood Exporters Must Prepare Now
CBIC Extends Hormuz-Disruption Cargo Facilitation to 31 October 2026 (Circular 36/2026-Customs)
CBIC Accepts Accredited Lab Reports for Export Samples, Cutting Duplicate CRCL Testing (Circular 28/2026)
BIS QCO Deadlines Approaching: Woven Sacks Mandatory from 6 October 2026, Electrical Appliances Next
DGFT Extends India–UAE CEPA Gold Import TRQ Authorisation Validity to 30 September 2026
DGFT Puts Rupee Export Earnings on Par With Foreign Currency for FTP Benefits
DPIIT's Transition Facilitation (QCO) Order Gives Importers a 180-Day Window on New BIS Rules
Alert: Nhava Sheva (JNPA) Congestion Building — Plan for Delays and Surcharges