DGFT Extends Export Obligation Period for Advance Authorisations and EPCG Authorisations till August 31, 2026

**Executive Summary** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Export Obligation (EO) period for certain Advance Authorisations and EPCG Authorisations until August 31, 2026. This measure, effective from March 06, 2026, aims to provide flexibility to exporters facing global disruptions. The extension is automatic for authorisations where the EO period expires between March 01, 2026, and May 31, 2026. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Extension of Export Obligation Period:** * The Export Obligation (EO) period for specified Advance Authorisations and EPCG Authorisations has been extended until August 31, 2026. * This extension is applicable to authorisations where the EO period is expiring between March 01, 2026, and May 31, 2026. * The extension is provided through Public Notice No. 51/2025-206, issued on March 06, 2026. * **Automatic Grant of Extension:** * The extension will be granted automatically. * Exporters are not required to submit any separate application or pay any composition fee. * **Scope of Applicability:** * The relaxation applies to Advance Authorisations, including Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement and Special Advance Authorisation. * It also applies to Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Authorisations. * **Purpose of Extension:** * The measure aims to provide additional operational flexibility to exporters. * It addresses disruptions arising from current geopolitical developments affecting global trade and logistics. * **Verification and Compliance:** * Regional Authorities of DGFT will verify compliance with EO requirements at the time of Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) issuance, closure, or regularisation. * **Customs Notification:** * Customs authorities have been informed to permit exports in accordance with the revised EO timelines. **Impact Analysis** * **Exporters** * **Impact:** Exporters with Advance Authorisations and EPCG Authorisations, whose EO periods are expiring between March 01, 2026, and May 31, 2026, will benefit from an automatic extension of their EO period until August 31, 2026. This provides them with additional time to fulfill their export obligations without incurring additional fees or administrative burdens. * **Action Required:** Exporters do not need to take any specific action to receive this automatic extension. They should, however, be aware of the new EO deadline and continue to monitor their compliance. * **Regional Authorities of DGFT** * **Impact:** These authorities will be responsible for verifying export obligation compliance against the revised timelines when processing EODC, closures, or regularisations. * **Action Required:** They need to ensure their processes are aligned with the extended EO period and verify compliance accordingly. * **Customs Authorities** * **Impact:** Customs authorities will need to allow exports to proceed based on the extended EO timelines communicated through the Public Notice. * **Action Required:** They should permit exports in accordance with the revised Export Obligation timelines.

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