New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) On Saturday, the government announced an extension for the deadline concerning the fulfillment of export obligations under specific export promotion schemes, now set to August 31, 2026. This decision is aimed at assisting exporters who are currently facing challenges due to disruptions in global trade and shipping routes.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, made this announcement via a public notice.

This initiative comes in response to ongoing geopolitical tensions that are influencing global shipping routes, logistics corridors, and international supply chains.

As per the notification, exporters holding designated Advance Authorisations and Export Promotion Capital Goods authorisations whose export obligation deadlines fall between March 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026, will automatically receive an extension.

The new deadline for meeting their export obligations has been established as August 31, 2026.

Officials confirmed that the extension will be granted automatically, meaning exporters will not be required to submit a separate application or pay any fees to benefit from this adjustment.

This measure is intended to provide exporters with additional operational flexibility during a time when international trade and logistics are experiencing significant disruptions.

The relaxation applies to Advance Authorisations, including those for Annual Requirements and Special Advance Authorisations, as well as authorisations provided under the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme.

The government emphasized that the extension mentioned in the public notice is supplementary to existing provisions in the Foreign Trade Policy and the Handbook of Procedures, which already permit exporters to request extensions of their export obligation period after paying the necessary fees.

The DGFT’s regional authorities will verify if exporters have fulfilled their export obligation requirements when they apply for the Export Obligation Discharge Certificate or during the regularisation or closure of their authorisation.

Customs authorities have also been informed about these updated timelines to ensure that exports can proceed smoothly within the newly established export obligation period.

Officials stated that this initiative reflects the government's ongoing commitment to supporting exporters, ensuring that temporary global disruptions do not adversely affect India's export performance or compliance with export promotion schemes.