**Summary:**
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has announced the continuation of its 'COVID19 Helpdesk' to address challenges faced by stakeholders in international trade due to the ongoing pandemic. This helpdesk aims to monitor the status of exports and imports, and provide resolutions to issues related to DGFT, import/export licensing, customs clearance, documentation, and banking matters. The helpdesk will also coordinate with other central and state government agencies to resolve trade-related issues.
Exporters and importers can submit their concerns through the DGFT website (https://dgft.gov.in) by navigating to Services > DGFT Helpdesk Service, creating a new request, and selecting the category 'Covid19'. Issues can also be sent via email to dgftedi@nic.in with the subject header 'Covid19 Helpdesk', or by calling the toll-free number 1800-111-550. The status of resolutions can be tracked through the Status tracker under the DGFT Helpdesk Services. Email and SMS updates will also be provided. This initiative, Trade Notice No. 29/2021-2022, is effective as of January 6, 2022.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, responsible for foreign trade regulation and promotion.
COVID19 Helpdesk: A helpdesk established by DGFT to address international trade-related issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Commerce: A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to commerce and industry.
New Delhi: The location of Udyog Bhawan, where the Trade Notice was issued.
Export Promotion Councils: Organizations that promote exports from India.
Commodity Boards: Government bodies responsible for the development of specific commodities in India.
Customs: The government service that regulates the flow of goods into and out of a country.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Dated: 06th January 2022
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 29/2021-2022
To,
All Exporters/Members of Trade
All Export Promotion Councils/Commodity Boards
Subject: Continuation of operations of the DGFT ‘COVID-19 Helpdesk' for
International Trade related Issues’
Department of Commerce and DGFT have undertaken to monitor the status of
export and imports and difficulties being faced by trade stakeholders in view of the
surge of COVID-19 cases. DGFT has operationalised a ‘COVID-19 Helpdesk' to
support and seek suitable resolutions to issues arising in respect of International
Trade.
2. The 'COVID-19 Helpdesk' would look into issues relating to Department of
Commerce/DGFT, Import and Export Licensing Issues, Customs clearance delays and
complexities arising thereon, Import/Export documentation issues, Banking matters etc.
Helpdesk would also collect and collate trade related issues concerning other
Ministries/Departments/Agencies of Central Government and State Governments and
will co-ordinate to seek their support and provide possible resolution(s).
3. Export-Import community may submit information on the DGFT website
and submit information relating to their issues on which support is required using the
following steps--i. Navigate to the DGFT Website (https://dgft.gov.in ) -- > Services -- > DGFT
Helpdesk Service
ii. ‘Create New Request’ and select the Category as ‘Covid-19'
iii. Select the suitable sub-category, enter the other relevant details and submit.
Alternatively, you may send your issues to email id: dgftedi@nic.in with the
subject header: Covid-19 Helpdesk, or call the Toll-Free No at 1800-111-550
4. The status of resolutions and feedback may be tracked using the Status tracker
under the DGFT Helpdesk Services. Email and SMS would also be sent as and when
the status of these tickets are updated. Trade Community is requested to kindly make
use of the given facilities suitably.
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
( Issued from File No. 01/02/08/AM22/EG&TF[E-27797] )