End-to-end DGFT services — IEC Code, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, DFIA, RoDTEP, RCMC, SCOMET, Status Holder & Restricted Item Licences under the Foreign Trade Policy.
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Overview
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) is the nodal agency under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, responsible for formulating and implementing India's Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). It controls all imports and exports through the IEC system and operates several duty-saving and export-promotion schemes.
From the basic Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) — mandatory for any cross-border trade — to advanced schemes like Advance Authorisation, EPCG, DFIA, RoDTEP, SCOMET & RCMC, DGFT licences can save you 5%–25% on landed cost and unlock premium status (Star Export House) recognition for global tenders.
Service Catalogue
DGFT operates a wide portfolio of licences, authorisations and schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy — from basic registration to high-value duty-saving authorisations. Choose the right one for your trade flow.
| DGFT Service | Purpose | Validity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEC — Importer Exporter Code | 10-digit code mandatory for any cross-border trade in goods or services from India. | Lifetime (annual update) | ✅ Mandatory |
| Advance Authorisation (AA) | Duty-free import of inputs that are physically incorporated into export products. | 12 / 18 / 24 months | 💰 Duty-Save |
| EPCG — Capital Goods | Zero-duty import of capital goods (machinery / plant) against an export obligation. | 6 years (EO period) | ⚙️ Investment |
| DFIA — Duty Free Import Authorisation | Post-export duty-free import of inputs as per Standard Input-Output Norms (SION). | 12 months (transferable) | 💰 Post-Export |
| RoDTEP | Remission of embedded duties & taxes on exported products via e-Scrip on ICEGATE. | Per Shipping Bill | ✅ WTO-compliant |
| RCMC | Registration Cum Membership Certificate from Export Promotion Council / FIEO. | 5 Years | ✅ Mandatory |
| SCOMET Export Licence | Export licence for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment & Technologies. | Per Consignment / 24 mo. | 🔒 Restricted |
| Status Holder Certificate | Star Export House recognition (1 to 5 stars) based on FOB export performance. | 5 Years | ⭐ Premium |
| Restricted Item Licence | Licence for goods listed as 'Restricted' in ITC (HS) — case-by-case approval. | As per licence | ⚠️ Restricted |
| EODC / Redemption | Export Obligation Discharge Certificate to close AA / EPCG authorisations. | One-time | 📋 Closure |
Our Process
From scheme selection to final licence/redemption — we manage every step on the DGFT portal with the right Regional Authority (RA), keeping you informed at every milestone.
We map your import items, export products, ITC (HS) codes, SION norms & FOB performance to recommend the most beneficial DGFT scheme(s).
Procurement of Class-3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), DGFT user ID, IEC linking & portal access for paperless filing.
Online ANF (Aayat Niryat Form) preparation with HS-code-wise input/output justification, EO calculation & SION mapping.
Online submission to the appropriate RA (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore etc.) with system-generated file number tracking.
RA queries on technical, financial or norms aspects are responded to within deadline — we draft the legal/technical reply on your behalf.
On approval, the digitally-signed authorisation / IEC / RCMC is issued. We share the soft copy & explain its terms, validity & conditions.
For AA / EPCG, we coordinate Bond / Bank Guarantee execution at customs, ICEGATE registration of the licence & first import clearance.
Periodic Export Obligation tracking, shipping-bill-wise reconciliation, EODC application & final redemption / Bond cancellation.
Requirements
Document needs vary by scheme (IEC / AA / EPCG / DFIA / RCMC / SCOMET). The lists below cover the most common combinations — our team provides a personalised checklist after the first call.
Service Domains
Whether you are filing your first IEC or chasing a multi-crore EPCG authorisation, our DGFT team has the depth — across products, sectors and regional authorities.
Policy Reference
All DGFT licences are issued under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and Handbook of Procedures (HBP). Below is a quick-reference of the most commonly used chapters & provisions.
| FTP Chapter / Para | Scheme / Provision | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 2 — General Provisions | IEC, RCMC, Importer-Exporter rules | Onboarding any trader |
| Chapter 3 — Export from India Schemes | RoDTEP, Status Holder benefits | Export incentives |
| Chapter 4 — Duty Exemption Schemes | Advance Authorisation, DFIA, SION | Duty-free input import |
| Chapter 5 — EPCG Scheme | Zero-duty capital goods import | Plant & machinery |
| Chapter 6 — EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP | Export Oriented Units | 100% export units |
| Chapter 7 — Deemed Exports | Supplies to AA / EPCG / EOU / Project | Domestic supply benefits |
| Chapter 8 — Quality Complaints & Trade Disputes | QCTD mechanism | Foreign buyer disputes |
| Chapter 9 — Definitions | FTP terminology | Cross-reference |
| SCOMET — Appendix 3 (Schedule 2 ITC HS) | Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, Technology | Dual-use exports |
| HBP — Aayat Niryat Forms (ANF) | Application forms 1A to 9 | All filings |
📚 Reference Documents: Foreign Trade Policy 2023 · Handbook of Procedures 2023 · ITC (HS) Schedule 1 (Imports) & Schedule 2 (Exports) · DGFT Public Notices & Trade Notices · Customs Notifications (Tariff & Non-Tariff).
RA Network
DGFT operates 38+ Regional Authorities (RAs) under the Foreign Trade Policy. Each RA has territorial jurisdiction based on the registered head office of the IEC holder. We coordinate with the right RA for fastest disposal.
| Regional Authority (RA) | Jurisdiction Highlights | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| RA Delhi (CLA / Udyog Bhawan) | Delhi NCR & Central Licensing Authority cases (SCOMET, complex) | SCOMET, sensitive cases |
| RA Mumbai | Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, JNPT | Western India trade hub |
| RA Chennai | Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Chennai port | Auto, textile & engineering |
| RA Kolkata | West Bengal, Sikkim, Andamans, Kolkata port | Eastern India exporters |
| RA Bangalore | Karnataka, ACC Bangalore | IT, electronics, biotech |
| RA Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Mundra, Pipavav, Kandla, Surat | Pharma, gems, chemicals |
| RA Hyderabad | Telangana, parts of Andhra | Pharma & APIs |
| RA Pune | Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik (auto cluster) | Auto components |
| RA Kanpur / Noida | UP — leather, agro, handicrafts | UP exporters |
| RA Cochin | Kerala, Lakshadweep, spices & coir | Spices, marine, rubber |
| RA Chandigarh / Ludhiana | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal — engineering & cycle parts | Engineering & cycle exports |
| RA Jaipur | Rajasthan — gems, handicrafts, marble | Gem & jewellery, handicrafts |
⚠️ Important: Jurisdiction is decided by the registered head-office address as per IEC. Filing with the wrong RA leads to rejection / re-routing. We confirm jurisdiction up-front to avoid delays.
Don't let policy complexity delay your imports or exports. Our DGFT experts handle the entire process — fast, accurate & with maximum duty savings.
FAQ
Common questions about IEC, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, RoDTEP & other DGFT licences.
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