The Government has extended the export obligation deadline for certain export promotion schemes in a bid to give Indian exporters additional operational flexibility as global shipping routes and logistics corridors face disruptions amid the tensions in West Asia.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has announced that the Export Obligation (EO) period for specified Advance Authorisations and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Authorisations will be automatically extended until 31 August 2026.
The measure is aimed at ensuring that exporters affected by global trade disruptions are not penalised for delays in fulfilling their export commitments.
“Through Public Notice No. 51/2025-206 issued on March 06, 2026, DGFT has provided for automatic extension of the Export Obligation (EO) period or Block-wise EO fulfillment period up to August 31, 2026, for specified Advance Authorisations and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Authorisations where the EO period is expiring between March 01, 2026, and May 31, 2026,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, 7 March.
Exporters falling within this window will automatically receive the extension without the need to submit any separate application or pay composition fees.
“This measure has been introduced to provide additional operational flexibility to exporters facing disruptions arising from current geopolitical developments affecting global trade and logistics,” the ministry said.
The relief applies to Advance Authorisations, including Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement and Special Advance Authorisation, as well as EPCG Authorisations.
These schemes allow exporters to import inputs or capital goods at reduced or zero customs duty, provided they meet specified export commitments within a defined time period.
“The extension granted under the Public Notice will be in addition to the existing provisions under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and Handbook of Procedures (HBP), which allow exporters to seek EO period extensions upon payment of prescribed composition fees,” the ministry said.
DGFT Regional Authorities will verify compliance with the export obligation requirements at the time of issuing the Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC), closure, or regularisation of the authorisation, according to the ministry.
Customs authorities have also been informed to allow exports in accordance with the revised export obligation timelines, ensuring that shipments linked to these authorisations can proceed without procedural hurdles.
According to the ministry, the move reflects the government’s continued commitment to supporting exporters and ensuring that temporary global disruptions do not adversely impact India’s export performance or compliance obligations under export promotion schemes.
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