**Summary:**
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has operationalized a "COVID19 Helpdesk" to address international trade-related issues arising from the surge in COVID-19 cases. This helpdesk will monitor export and import status, address difficulties faced by trade stakeholders, and seek 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 entities to resolve trade-related issues.
The EXIM community can submit issues via the DGFT website (dgft.gov.in) under Services > DGFT Helpdesk Service, creating a new request with the category "Covid19." Issues can also be sent to dgftedi@nic.in with the subject header "Covid19 Helpdesk" or raised via the toll-free number 1800-111-1550. The status of resolutions and feedback can be tracked using the Status tracker under the DGFT Helpdesk Services. Email and SMS updates will be provided. This initiative was announced on April 26, 2021, via Trade Notice No. 02/2021-2022.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian government ministry responsible for international trade and commerce.
Department of Commerce: A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): An agency of the Department of Commerce, Government of India, responsible for implementing foreign trade policy.
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi: Location of the office issuing the trade notice, indicating the headquarters of the Department of Commerce in Delhi, India.
COVID19 Helpdesk: A support mechanism operationalized by DGFT to address issues related to international trade arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Export Promotion Councils: Organizations that promote exports from India.
Commodity Boards: Government bodies in India responsible for the development of specific commodities.
EXIM: Short for Export-Import
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Dated: 26.04.2021
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 02/2021-2022
To,
All Exporters/Members of Trade
All Export Promotion Councils/Commodity Boards
Subject: Operationalisation of DGFT ‘COVID-19 Helpdesk' for International Trade
related Issues’
The Department of Commerce, Government of India 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 accordingly
operationalised a ‘COVID-19 Helpdesk' to support and seek suitable resolutions to
issues arising in respect of International Trade.
2. This '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. EXIM 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 at Toll Free No 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)