Executive Summary:
This trade notice from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) informs exporters, importers, and other stakeholders about the upcoming introduction of revamped online DGFT services on a new IT platform to promote paperless, digital, efficient, and transparent trade facilitation. IEC holders are encouraged to create login IDs and link them to their IECs before the rollout of the next phase, expected within 2-3 weeks. The notice outlines the necessary steps for registration, authentication, and profile updates on the new platform.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **New DGFT Online Platform:**
* Revamped DGFT services will be introduced on a new IT platform accessible via https:dgft.gov.in.
* Aims to provide paperless, digital, efficient, and transparent services, furthering Trade Facilitation and Digital India goals.
* Online processes for Advance Authorisation, EPCG, DFIA, EODC, Norms Fixation, Free Sale Commerce Certificate, SIMS, and Import Licensing will be rolled out soon.
* The new system facilitates two-way communication between DGFT and applicants, allowing for application, monitoring, deficiency responses, and query submission.
* **IEC Holder Actions:**
* Create user-based login IDs through online registration, preferably before the next phase rollout.
* Mobile number and email ID are mandatory for user ID creation and will be authenticated via OTP/email.
* Link login IDs to specific IECs using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar-based eSign.
* Aadhaar eSign must be of proprietors, directors, partners, or Karta as mentioned on their IEC.
* Acceptable DSC types: Individual, Organization-based (firm name matches IEC), or IEC-based (IEC embedded).
* Complete IEC auto-validation using the "Modify IEC" process after logging in.
* Update profile details (Industrial Registrations, Export Performance, etc.) using the "Manage Profile" option; this is an automatic process without fees or approval.
* Review Help manuals and FAQs on the DGFT website under the "Learn" section.
* **Support and Guidance:**
* Help Manuals and FAQs are available at https:dgft.gov.in Learn Application Help FAQs.
* For assistance:
* Raise a ticket via https:dgft.gov.in Services.
* Call the toll-free Helpline at 1800111550.
* Email dgftedinic.in.
Impact Analysis:
* **Exporters and Importers:**
* Impact: Transition to a new online platform for all DGFT-related processes, requiring adaptation to new procedures for registration, application submission, and communication.
* Action Required: Create login IDs, link to IEC, update profile details, and familiarize themselves with the new platform and processes.
* **Regional Authorities (RAs) of DGFT:**
* Impact: Increased responsibility to support and guide exporters and importers through the transition to the new online platform.
* Action Required: Spread awareness among exporters and importers about the new platform and its functionalities.
* **Export Promotion Councils & Commodity Boards:**
* Impact: Need to disseminate information about the new platform and revamped DGFT service delivery mechanisms to their registered exporters.
* Action Required: Inform registered exporters about the new platform through newsletters and email communication.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: The issuing organization of the trade notice, responsible for foreign trade policy.
IEC: Import Export Code, a mandatory requirement for exporters and importers.
Digital India: A Government of India initiative to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Advance Authorisation: A scheme that allows duty-free import of inputs for export production.
EPCG: Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme, which allows import of capital goods at zero duty for export production.
DFIA: Duty Free Import Authorisation scheme, which allows duty-free import of inputs for export production.
Export Promotion Councils: Organizations that promote and support exports of specific products or sectors.
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi: Location of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 28th October, 2020
Trade Notice No. 33/2020-21
To,
1. Exporters, Importers and other Members of Trade
2. Regional Authorities (RAs) of DGFT
3. Export Promotion Councils, Commodities Boards, Trade Associations and other
stakeholders of DGFT
Subject: Linking/Registration of IECs in the new revamped DGFT Online
environment -reg
In continuation to the earlier Trade Notice 16/2020-21 dated 25.06.2020, it is
informed that various revamped DGFT services are planned to be introduced into the
new DGFT IT platform. The objective of introducing these revamped systems is to
provide paperless, digital, efficient and transparent services to the exporters and
importers, and to further the overall goal of Trade Facilitation and Digital India. The
platform would be accessible through the existing website: https://dgft.gov.in
2. The online processes relating to entire lifecycle of Advance Authorisation, EPCG
& DFIA including their paperless Exports Obligation Discharge (EODC) shall be rolled
out soon. In addition to these processes, Norms Fixation, Free Sale & Commerce
Certificate, Steel Import Monitoring System(SIMS), Import Licencing and some other
processes shall also be rolled out soon. Among other services, the new online system will
have a two-way communication between the DGFT and the exporter/importer and
would allow the applicant to apply, monitor the status of the applications, reply to the
deficiencies, raise queries etc.
3. In relation to this proposed roll-out, attention of all exporters and importers is
invited to the following action points:
i. The new platform is accessible through user-based IDs for applying online. All
IEC holders are encouraged to create login IDs through an online registrationprocess preferably well before the roll out of next phase of the platform in the 2-3
weeks.
ii. For user ID creation, mobile number/email ids will be a mandatorily required.
The same will be authenticated by the process of OTP/email based
authentication process.
iii. Users would be required to link their login Ids to their specific IEC. The process
of linking would be available post login through an authentication process using a
Digital Signature Certificate or Aadhaar based e-Sign.
iv. Only the Aadhaar e-sign of the proprietors/directors/partners/Karta etc. as
mentioned on their IEC may be used for Aadhaar based authentication.
v. For Digital Signature certificates(DSC) a Class-II/Class-III Certificate is allowed.
The given DSC may be of either of the 3 types –
a. Individual DSC of the proprietors/directors/partners/Karta etc.
b. Organization-based DSC where the firm name matches the name on the
IEC. The given DSC type may be issued in the name of any authorized
signatory (as per the rules of the Controller of Certifying Authorities).
c. IEC based DSC wherein IEC is embedded as a parameter in the DSC
vi. Post linking of the IEC, the IEC holders are requested to complete the IEC auto-
validation process by using ‘Modify IEC’ process after logging in.
vii. IEC holders are further required to update the Profile details using the ‘Manage
Profile’ option. Details related to Industrial Registrations, Export Performance
details and other should be duly filled in. Please note that the profile updation is
an automatic process and does not require any approval or fees.
viii. IEC holders are requested to go through Help manuals & Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) available on the new DGFT website under the ‘Learn’ section.
4. To minimize the scope of inconveniences that may arise due to IEC holder’s
unfamiliarity with the new revamped online environment and make the transition to
new mode of service delivery smooth and hassle free, all RAs are requested to spread
awareness among the Exporters & Importers.
5. Export Promotion Councils & Commodity Boards are also requested to take
necessary steps to inform their registered exporters about the new platform and
revamped service delivery mechanisms of DGFT, through their newsletters and email
communication.6. For further guidance, please refer to the Help Manuals & FAQs available under
https://dgft.gov.in > Learn > Application Help & FAQs . For any further assistance you
may utilize any of the following channels —
i. Raise a ticket for your Complaints, Suggestions or Feedback using the feature
under https://dgft.gov.in > Services
ii. Call the toll-free Helpline number 1800-111-550
iii. Send an email to dgftedi@nic.in
(Tasleem Ahmed)
Asst. Director General of Foreign Trade
e-mail: tasleem.ahmed@gov.in
Telephone- 011-23061562 Ext. 229
(Issued from File No. 01/02/29/AM-20/EG&TF)