DGFT Restricted Export Authorisation

Understand whether your goods need export permission before committing to shipment.

Exporting restricted goods from India requires the applicable authorisation unless a specific exemption covers the transaction. The requirement depends on the product’s classification, technical description, destination and current export policy.

Remind Legal assists businesses with export-policy assessment, document preparation, DGFT applications and responses to departmental queries. Start with a review of your proposed transaction so you can plan the next steps with clarity.

Unsure Whether Your Product Can Be Exported?

An overseas purchase order does not establish that the goods are legally exportable. An IEC, a previous shipment or a buyer’s assurance also does not settle the authorisation requirement.

Before proceeding, businesses commonly need answers to questions such as: -

• Is the product freely exportable, restricted or prohibited?
• Does its technical specification bring it within SCOMET controls?
• Are there quantity limits, destination conditions or separate regulatory approvals?
• Does an existing authorisation cover the proposed shipment?

Identifying these requirements early helps you to prepare the correct application and avoid preventable changes to shipment plans.

Get an Export Applicability Assessment, share your product specifications, proposed ITC(HS) code and destination with Remind Legal.

Quick Facts About Restricted Export Authorisation

The general application route is addressed in HBP paragraph 2.68; validity is addressed in paragraph 2.16. Transaction-specific provisions must also be checked.

What Is DGFT Restricted Export Authorisation?

DGFT Restricted Export Authorisation is permission to export goods whose export policy requires authorisation. It applies to the goods and conditions covered by the permission; it is not a general licence to export every restricted product.

The starting point is Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS) export policy, read with the applicable policy conditions and subsequent notifications. Product descriptions matter alongside the code.

Practical example: Two products may have the similar commercial names but different compositions or specifications. Before using the same export-policy treatment for both, their classification and various relevant conditions should be examined separately.

Who Needs Restricted Export Authorisation?

Businesses proposing to export restricted goods should assess the authorisation requirement before shipment. This can include: -

• Manufacturers exporting their own products.
• Merchant exporters sourcing goods from suppliers.
• Businesses handling a new overseas order.
• Exporters whose product’s policy status has changed.
• Applicants seeking changes to an existing permission.

Samples, gifts and non-commercial transactions require separate examination. Their purpose does not, by itself, establish an exemption.

Who Is Eligible to Apply and When Does the Requirement Apply?

Eligibility depends on both the applicant and the proposed transaction. Being a registered business does not create an automatic entitlement to permission.

An assessment should establish: -

• Applicant status: Whether the exporter has the required IEC or falls within a recognised exemption.
• Product classification: The relevant ITC(HS) entry and accurate technical description.
•  Policy position: Whether the transaction is permitted through an authorisation route.
• Specific conditions: Any notified quota, applicant category, destination or supporting approval.
• Declarations: Whether the applicant can truthfully complete the prescribed undertakings.

IEC requirements arise under section 7 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, subject to the various applicable policy exemptions.

Does RCMC Apply in 2026?

Assess Registration-cum-Membership Certificate requirements under the current policy rather than treating RCMC as mandatory for every shipment.

The Government announced in September 2026 that an RCMC or Certificate of Registration is not required for the export consignments with an FOB value of up to ₹3 lakh, even where such a certificate would otherwise be required under the Foreign Trade Policy. This exemption concerns the registration; and it does not itself waive the restricted export authorisation.

What Legal Requirements Must Be Checked?

The principal framework comprises: -

Sections 3 and 5 of the FTDR Act support the export regulation and policy-making. Section 9 addresses licensing, while Section 11 requires exports to comply with the applicable legal framework.

DGFT permission does not replace separate approvals required under other applicable laws. Product-specific controls must therefore be considered alongside the authorisation application.

What Documents and Information Are Required?

The final checklist depends on the product, notification and application requirements. Prepare the following for an initial review:

ANF 2N requests item details, quantity, FOB value, buyer and shipment information and relevant previous export particulars. It also contains declarations that require careful review.

Get a Product-Specific Document Checklist and ask Remind Legal to identify the records relevant to your proposed export.

What Is the Process to Apply?

1. Assess the Product and Transaction
   Review the description, specifications, proposed classification, destination and current policy. Determine whether the non-SCOMET restricted export route is appropriate.

2. Identify Applicable Conditions
   Check and verify whether the relevant notification require a quota allocation, recommendation, certificate or another transaction-specific document.

3. Prepare the Application
   Reconcile the proposed quantity, value, buyer and various shipment particulars with the supporting records. Explain relevant circumstances clearly.

4. File Through the DGFT Portal
   Complete the applicable online application, upload supporting documents, authenticate the submission and pay the applicable fee.

5. Address Queries
   Monitor or supervise the application and respond to requests for the clarification or further evidence. The general non-SCOMET procedure provides for consideration by the EXIM Facilitation Committee on merits.

6. Review the Decision Before Shipment
   If permission is issued, check its description, limits, validity and conditions against the actual transaction. Resolve discrepancies before relying on it.

What Are the Fees?

DGFT’s published the Restricted Exports FAQ states an application fee of ₹1,000 for issuance of the authorisation. Confirm and verify the applicable charge against the current fee schedule and portal before payment.

Request a scope-based quotation covering the assessment, filing assistance and any additional work identified.

How Long Does Approval Take?

A dependable completion date cannot be promised before the case is assessed and processed.

Planning should account for: -

• Completeness and consistency of the application.
• Product-specific scrutiny.
• Requests for clarification.
• Consultation with relevant authorities.
• Applicable quotas or policy conditions.

Remind Legal can help prepare the file and manage responses, but DGFT controls the decision and processing of the application.

What Is the Validity and Can It Be Renewed?

The general validity for restricted non-SCOMET export authorisations is 24 months from issue, unless otherwise specified.

HBP paragraph 2.20(b) allows the DGFT Headquarters to revalidate an export authorisation on merits for six months at a time, up to a maximum of 12 months. Revalidation requires the approval; it is not an automatic renewal.

Check the expiry date and any shorter shipment period in your permission well before arranging dispatch.

What Exceptions and Special Cases Need Separate Review?

The samples procedure is addressed in the HBP, while gifts, baggage and specified re-export situations are addressed in the FTP.

SCOMET screening requires attention to the technical specifications and the relevant control list. A commercial product name alone may not settle the issue.

What Must You Do After Approval?

Use the issued permission as a working compliance checklist: -

• Match the actual goods to the authorised description.
• Track quantities and other limits across shipments.
• Observe destination, end-use and additional conditions stated in the permission.
• Complete shipment within the permitted period.
• Keep application, authorisation and shipment records together.
• Obtain an amendment where a proposed change requires approval.
• Complete any reporting or supporting certification expressly required.

An authorisation is subject to its terms and restrictions under section 9 of the FTDR Act.

Example: If an authorisation covers a specified quantity, reconcile the earlier shipments before preparing the next consignment. A new purchase order does not increase the approved limit.

What Common Mistakes Should Exporters Avoid?

• Selecting a code without checking the full product description.
• Relying on an old notification or previous shipment.
• Using the non-SCOMET route without technical screening.
• Providing inconsistent quantities, values or buyer details.
• Treating IEC or RCMC as export permission.
• Assuming a sample or gift is automatically exempt.
• Overlooking conditions in the issued authorisation.
• Waiting until expiry to assess remaining shipments.
• Making declarations without checking their accuracy.

A focused review before filing can identify these issues while the documents can still be corrected.

Why Choose Remind Legal?

Remind Legal’s assistance can be structured around your transaction: -

• Applicability assessment: Review the proposed goods and relevant policy requirements.
• Document preparation: Organise supporting information and identify gaps.
• Application assistance: Prepare and support the applicable DGFT filing.
• Query responses: Assist with explanations and supporting records.
• Authorisation review: Explain the conditions relevant to the planned shipments.
• Further requests: Assist with the amendments or revalidation where it's available.

The scope is agreed upon after reviewing your requirements. Approval remains the decision of the competent authority.

What Do We Need from You to Begin?

For an initial assessment, share: -

• Product name, composition, use and specifications.
• Proposed ITC(HS) code, if available.
• Quantity and expected FOB value.
• Buyer and destination country.
• IEC and basic business particulars.
• Purchase order or draft contract.
• Expected shipment date.
• Any previous authorisation, rejection or DGFT query.

Tell us if the goods have already been manufactured, booked for shipment or presented for Customs clearance so the assessment reflects their current position.

Get Restricted Export Authorisation Assistance, share your product details and overseas order with Remind Legal for an applicability review and filing plan.

Legal & Compliance Disclaimer

This page provides general information and does not constitute transaction-specific legal advice. Export requirements can change through notifications and various other official instruments. The applicable position must be checked against the product, destination, transaction date and issued authorisation. Remind Legal does not guarantee approval or a fixed processing time.