DGFT public notice Public Notice No. 51/2025-26 · 06 Mar 2026
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Check the official recordThe Directorate General of Foreign Trade has granted an automatic extension for the Export Obligation (EO) period and Block-wise EO period for specific Advance and EPCG Authorisations. This relief applies to authorisations where the original or extended EO period expires between March 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026. These periods are now extended until August 31, 2026. This extension is automatic, requiring no separate application, composition fee, or endorsement from Regional Authorities. This facility is provided in addition to existing extensions available under the Handbook of Procedures, 2023. However, composition fees already paid for prior extensions will not be refunded. Customs authorities are directed to permit exports accordingly, with final compliance verification conducted by Regional Authorities during the discharge or closure process.
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(To Be Published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary Part-I Section-I) Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry Department of Commerce Directorate General of Foreign Trade Vanijya Bhawan
Public Notice No. 51/2025-26 New Delhi dated the 6th of March, 2026
Subject: Extension in the Export Obligation period of specified Advance & EPCG Authorisations till 31.08.2026 - regarding.
In view of the prevailing geopolitical developments affecting global trade and logistics, and with a view to facilitating exporters, the Director General of Foreign Trade, in exercise of the powers conferred under paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, hereby makes the following amendments in the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.
4.40 (I). Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Para 4.40 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023, in respect of all Advance Authorisations, including Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement and Special Advance Authorisation, where the Export Obligation Period (EOP) (whether original or as extended) is expiring during the period 01.03.2026 to 31.05.2026, the EOP shall stand automatically extended up to 31.08.2026.
5.13(f). Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Para 5.13 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023, in respect of EPCG Authorisations where the Block-wise Export Obligation (EO) period (whether original or as extended) is expiring during the period 01.03.2026 to 31.05.2026, the concerned Block-wise EO period shall stand automatically extended up to 31.08.2026.
5.16 (f). Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Para 5.16 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023, in respect of EPCG Authorisations where the original or extended Export Obligation (EO) period is expiring during the period 01.03.2026 to 31.05.2026, the EO period shall stand automatically extended up to 31.08.2026.
The extension of EO period granted by the newly added sub-paragraphs shall be in addition to the extensions otherwise permissible under HBP, 2023.
No separate application, composition fee, amendment, or endorsement shall be required to be made or done by the Regional Authorities to avail this automatic extension of EO period.
In cases where the Advance Authorisation or EPCG Authorisation Holder has already obtained an extension of EO period upon the payment of the composition fee, the refund of the composition fee shall not be permitted.
Customs authorities shall allow exports accordingly. Compliance with Export Obligation (EO) in terms of the above provisions shall be examined by the concerned Regional Authority (RA) at the time of issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC), closure or regularisation of the authorisation, as applicable.
Effect of this Public Notice: In view of the prevailing geopolitical developments affecting international shipping routes and global supply chains, and with a view to facilitating exporters, the Export Obligation (EO) period / Block-wise EO period in respect of specified Advance Authorisations and EPCG Authorisations expiring between 01.03.2026 and 31.05.2026 has been automatically extended up to 31.08.2026 without payment of composition fee. This relaxation is in addition to the EO extension facility already available under FTP/HBP upon payment of composition fees.
(Lav Agarwal) Director General of Foreign Trade & Ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India E-mail: dgft@nic.in
(Issued from File No. 01/94/180/116/AM26/PC-4)
