Automated Issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates · Trade Notice No. 24/2026-2027
DGFT trade notice Trade Notice No. 24/2026-2027 · 31 Aug 2026
Official title
Automated Issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) – regarding
Official record
Open source pageSummary
Check the official recordWhat changed
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade introduces an automated system for the issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates. This system replaces manual verification for eligible applications to reduce processing time. The system applies to items not covered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Exporters submit applications through the DGFT portal. The system processes eligible applications automatically. Applications that do not meet automated parameters or require verification go to the Regional Authority for manual processing. The system may flag auto-approved applications for subsequent review based on risk management parameters.
What you must do
- Exporters must submit applications for Free Sale and Commerce Certificates through the DGFT portal.
Key dates
- Date of issuance of the Trade Notice
- 31 Aug 2026
Document text
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
****
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Date: August 31, 2026
Trade Notice No. 24/2026-2027
To,
- All Exporters/Members of Trade & Industry
- All Export Promotion Councils / Trade and Industry Associations
- All DGFT Regional Authorities
Subject: Automated Issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) – regarding.
In accordance with Paragraph 2.34 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), the Directorate issues Free Sale and Commerce Certificates to exporters for items not covered under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. At present, upon online application by the exporter, the file is routed to the concerned Regional Authority (RA) for manual analysis, verification, and approval, which involves substantial processing time.
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DGFT has been continuously striving for digitization and automation of the system to reduce compliance burdens and facilitate frictionless trade. In line with this approach, and as envisaged under Paragraph 1.04 (d) of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023 for the phased implementation of a rule-based, system-driven workflow with a risk-based management approach, the automated issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) is being enabled on the DGFT portal, subject to applicable conditions.
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Key features of this automated issuance mechanism are as follows:
- a. Eligible applications would be considered for automatic issuance in accordance with the prevailing framework.
- b. Applications requiring verification or those not meeting the automated processing parameters may continue to be routed to the concerned RA for manual processing.
- c. Certain auto-approved applications may subsequently be flagged to the concerned RA for review under the system’s risk management parameters.
Effect of this Trade Notice: The automated issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) is introduced on the DGFT portal, transitioning from manual verification to a system-driven workflow to enable seamless, paperless processing and expedited turnaround times for trade and industry.
Ashwani Kr. Ojha
31/8/2026
(Ashwani Kumar Ojha)
Deputy Director
(Issued from File No. EC NC-ECNC/11/2026-Export cell (Non-SCOMET))
Source details
- Source
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade
- Type
- trade notice
- Published by source
- 31 Aug 2026
- Document number
- Trade Notice No. 24/2026-2027
- Issuing division
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade
- Coverage area
- foreign-trade