About DGFT Import Export License in India
India’s import/export licensing framework is administered by DGFT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, governed by the FTDR Act, 1992 and Foreign Trade Policy, covering IEC and specific authorisations.
Why It Matters
Operating without required DGFT authorisations can expose businesses to customs detention, confiscation, penalties, and trade restrictions. Proactive licensing and compliance management helps businesses avoid disruptions in international trade.
Who Needs It
Businesses exporting SCOMET-controlled goods, importing restricted products, seeking Advance Authorisation benefits, importing capital goods under EPCG, or obtaining Star Export House status require applicable DGFT registrations or authorisations.
Types of DGFT Import Export License Services Covered
IMARC Engineering supports exporters, importers, and manufacturers across all categories of import/export license in India and DGFT authorisations based on product category, trade activity, and business structure.
Advance Authorisation for Duty-Free Input Imports
Support for manufacturers seeking Advance Authorisation under the Foreign Trade Policy, enabling duty-free import of eligible inputs used in producing goods for export, subject to applicable export obligations.
Export Promotion Capital Goods License
Guidance for manufacturers importing eligible capital goods under the EPCG scheme at concessional customs duty, covering application preparation, supporting documentation, export obligations, and DGFT authorisation requirements.
SCOMET Export Authorisation
Assistance for exporters of SCOMET items requiring specific DGFT export authorisation before shipment, covering item classification, application documentation, compliance requirements, and coordination throughout the approval process.
Import Licence for Restricted and Canalised Goods
Support for importers of restricted or canalised goods requiring specific DGFT authorisation before customs clearance, covering product classification, documentation, application preparation, and regulatory coordination for timely approval.
Star Export House Status
Guidance for eligible exporters seeking One-, Two-, Three-, Four-, or Five-Star Export House status from DGFT, including eligibility assessment, documentation preparation, application filing, and recognition support.
DGFT Compliance
Support for existing DGFT authorisation holders seeking amendments, revalidation, export-obligation extensions, EODC filing, and ongoing import-export compliance advisory to maintain active authorisations and meet applicable requirements.
Import Export License Application Process in India
A structured approach to import export license in India applications ensures the correct DGFT scheme is selected, documentation is complete, and export obligations are tracked from the outset.
Step 1
Trade Activity Assessment and Scheme Identification
Review the business's export or import activity, product category, and trade objective to identify the correct import/export license in India or DGFT authorisation before any application is filed.
Step 2
IEC and DGFT Portal Verification
Verify the active IEC linked to the business PAN and confirm DGFT registration on the DGFT portal, ensuring the exporter or importer profile, bank details, and IEC are current and correctly linked before filing the import/export license application.
Step 3
Documentation Preparation
Compile all documents required for the specific foreign trade license or authorisation including IEC, GST certificate, product export or import data, input-output norms, RCMC, and application-specific declarations for export import authorization filing.
Step 4
DGFT Portal Application Filing
File the import/export license or authorisation application through the DGFT portal — uploading documents, paying prescribed fees, and tracking application status through the DGFT approval services review process.
Step 5
Query Resolution and Authorisation Issuance
Respond to DGFT clarification requests or document deficiency notices — maintaining communication with the DGFT Regional Authority to progress the import/export license application to issuance of the authorisation or DGFT license in India.
Step 6
Post-Authorisation Compliance and Export Obligation Tracking
Track export obligations, coordinate EODC filing, manage revalidation requirements, and advise on import export compliance throughout the licence validity period — ensuring the export import authorization remains active and compliant.
Documents Required for Import Export License in India
Document requirements for import/export license and DGFT authorisations vary by scheme type and product category but follow a consistent core framework.
- Importer Exporter Code (IEC) certificate
- GST registration certificate
- RCMC from the relevant Export Promotion Council
- Product export or import data and ITC-HS code
- Bank realisation certificates or export documents
- Input-output norms or Standard Input Output Norms
- End-user certificate (for SCOMET items)
- Capital goods invoice and installation proof (for EPCG)
Industries We Support
Import/export license in India and DGFT authorisation support is applicable across all sectors engaged in cross-border trade of goods and services under the Foreign Trade Policy.
- Manufacturing exporters across all product categories
- Engineering goods and capital equipment exporters
- Pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotech exporters
- Textile, garment, and handicraft exporters
- Agricultural and food product exporters
- Defence, aerospace, and dual-use technology companies
- Electronics and IT hardware manufacturers
- Import-dependent process manufacturers
How IMARC Engineering Supports Import Export License in India
Our approach combines Foreign Trade Policy expertise with DGFT portal experience and export documentation knowledge, enabling businesses to obtain the correct import/export license and manage ongoing import export compliance.
Scheme Identification and Authorisation Planning
We identify the correct DGFT scheme or import-export license in India for each business's trade activity, from advance authorisation and EPCG to SCOMET and star export house status and plan the application timeline aligned to the exporter or importer's commercial schedule.
Documentation and DGFT Portal Filing
We prepare and review all documentation for DGFT registration and import/export license in India applications, manage DGFT portal filing, and respond to queries, delivering DGFT approval services efficiently for export import authorization issuance.
Export Obligation and Compliance Management
We track export obligations under advance authorisation and EPCG, coordinate EODC filing, manage revalidation and amendment applications, and advise on import export compliance, ensuring DGFT license in India holders avoid penalties for export obligation shortfalls.
Need Import Export License Support in India?
FAQs
Answers to key questions from exporters, importers, and manufacturers about import/export license in India, DGFT authorisations, and Foreign Trade Policy compliance.
An import/export license in India refers to the various authorisations and licences issued by DGFT under the Foreign Trade Policy for specific trade activities, including advance authorisation for duty-free input imports, EPCG licences for capital goods, SCOMET export authorisations for controlled items, and import licences for restricted goods. The foundational document for all trade is the IEC (Importer Exporter Code), but specific DGFT license in India or authorisations are required depending on the product and trade activity.
The IEC is the basic DGFT registration that every exporter or importer needs, it is the identity number for all cross-border trade. A DGFT license in India or authorisation is a product or scheme-specific approval over and above the IEC, such as advance authorisation for duty-free inputs, EPCG for capital goods at concessional duty, or a specific import license in India for restricted goods. All import/export license in India holders must have a valid IEC as a prerequisite.
Items on the SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) list, including dual-use goods, controlled chemicals, certain electronics, and defence-related items, require a specific export license in India from DGFT before they can be shipped. Products in the restricted export category under India's Export Policy also require prior import/export license in India authorisation. Most standard manufactured goods can be exported freely without a specific foreign trade license other than the IEC.
Advance authorisation is a DGFT license in India issued under the Foreign Trade Policy that allows manufacturers to import inputs duty-free, provided they export the resulting products within the prescribed period. It is available to merchant exporters tied to supporting manufacturers and manufacturer exporters. The authorisation covers input quantities based on Standard Input Output Norms (SION) or self-declared norms and is one of the most widely used import/export license in India schemes for export-oriented manufacturers.
The EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods) licence is an import/export license in India that allows manufacturers to import capital goods at concessional customs duty, in exchange for a commitment to fulfil a specified export obligation over six years. The export import authorization covers plant, machinery, equipment, and spares. EPCG licence holders must file export obligation discharge certificates (EODC) with DGFT and maintain detailed export records for import export compliance verification.
SCOMET stands for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies, India's export control list for dual-use items and strategic goods. Exporting any item on the SCOMET list without a specific export license in India from DGFT is a violation of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and can result in criminal prosecution and debarment from future import/export license in India privileges. The SCOMET export authorisation process requires end-user certificates and scrutiny of the intended export destination.
Importing goods in the restricted category under India's Import Policy without a valid import license in India from DGFT results in customs detention, confiscation of goods, and penalties under the Foreign Trade Act. Importers may also face debarment from future DGFT approval services and scrutiny of their overall import export compliance record. DGFT and customs authorities cross-check import documentation electronically, making unauthorised restricted imports increasingly difficult to clear.
Validity periods for import/export license in India and DGFT authorisations vary by scheme. Advance authorisations are typically valid for 12 months for imports and 18 to 24 months for export obligation fulfilment. EPCG licences have a six-year export obligation period. SCOMET export import authorization is issued for specific shipments. DGFT authorisations can generally be revalidated with DGFT approval if additional time is needed for export obligation fulfilment.
Star Export House is a DGFT status awarded to exporters based on their total export performance over three years, ranging from One Star (FOB value of USD 3 million) to Five Star (FOB value of USD 2 billion). Star Export House certificate holders receive priority DGFT approval services processing, self-certification of documents, and easier access to bank finance. Star Export House status is a DGFT recognition granted to eligible exporters based on prescribed export-performance criteria.
IMARC Engineering provides end-to-end DGFT approval services for import/export license in India, from IEC and DGFT registration setup, to advance authorisation, EPCG, SCOMET, and import license in India applications, export import authorization issuance, export obligation tracking, EODC filing, and ongoing import export compliance advisory. Our team helps manufacturers, exporters, and importers obtain the correct foreign trade license and maintain compliance with DGFT requirements throughout the trade cycle.
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