DGFT extends Export Obligation period for Advance Authorisations & EPCG Authorisations till August 31

Amid supply disruptions caused by escalating tensions in West Asia, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Export Obligation (EO) period for Advance Authorisations and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Authorisations till August 31.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Saturday said, “In view of the prevailing geopolitical developments impacting global shipping routes, logistics corridors and international supply chains, the DGFT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has announced a facilitation measure for exporters by extending the EO period for certain export promotion schemes.”

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Through a public notice issued on March 6, the DGFT has provided for automatic extension of the EO period or Block-wise EO fulfilment period up to August 31, 2026, for specified Advance Authorisations and EPCG Authorisations where the EO period is expiring between March 01, 2026, and May 31, 2026.

The extension will be granted automatically, and exporters will not be required to submit any separate application or pay any composition fee to avail the benefit.

“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 relaxation applies to Advance Authorisations, including Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement and Special Advance Authorisation, as well as EPCG Authorisations.

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 Regional Authorities of DGFT will verify compliance with the Export Obligation requirements at the time of issuance of the Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC), closure, or regularisation of the authorisation.

Customs authorities have also been duly informed through the Public Notice to permit exports in accordance with the revised EO timelines.

This step 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.