Export of Sugar to EU under Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for 2025-26

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has issued a trade notice regarding the export of sugar to the European Union (EU) under the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) scheme for the year 2025-26. This article provides a detailed overview of the guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application process for exporters interested in participating in this scheme.

Overview of the TRQ Scheme 

The TRQ scheme allows exporters to export a specific quantity of sugar to the EU at preferential tariff rates. For the year 2025-26 (October 2025 to September 2026), a total quantity of 5,841 MT of sugar has been allocated under the TRQ. Out of this, 824 MT is available for allocation through a tender process.

APEDA will operate the quota, and the Certificate of Origin required for preferential export to the EU will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, upon APEDA’s recommendation.

Key Conditions for Exporters 

Exporters must adhere to the following conditions to participate in the TRQ scheme:

Certificate of Origin: If required, this will be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, based on APEDA’s recommendation.
Export Details Submission: Exporters must provide details of actual exports, including quantity, value, destination, and buyer information, to APEDA.
Compliance with EU Standards: Exporters must ensure that the sugar meets the quality requirements of the EU.

Tender Submission Guidelines 

Exporters interested in obtaining the quota for sugar export to the EU must submit their tender applications as per the following guidelines:

Submission Deadline: Tenders must be submitted to APEDA’s New Delhi office by 20th February 2026 (2:00 PM). The tenders will be opened at 2:30 PM on the same day in the presence of applicants who wish to attend.
Address for Submission:
- Mrs. Vinita Sudhanshu, General Manager, APEDA, 3rd Floor, NCUI Building, 3, Siri Institutional Area, August Kranti Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016.
Required Documents:
- Valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
- CA-certified turnover certificate for sugar trade for the last three years (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
- Proforma Invoice/Contract with the importer.
- Import license issued by the EU Competent Authority.
- Declaration of not being blacklisted (Annexure-V).
- Bank Guarantee in original (as per Annexure II).
- Receipt of processing charges.
- Application fee in the form of a demand draft of Rs. 23,600/- (inclusive of GST).

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the TRQ scheme, exporters must meet the following criteria:

Valid IEC Code: Exporters must possess a valid Importer Exporter Code.
Turnover Requirement: Submit a CA-certified turnover certificate for sugar trade over the last three years, with an average turnover three times the allocation requested.
Proforma Invoice/Contract: Exporters must have a valid contract with the importer who holds an import license issued by the EU Competent Authority.
Import License: The exporter must provide a copy of the import license issued by the EU Competent Authority to the importer.
No Blacklisting: Exporters must not have been blacklisted by any government organization. A declaration confirming this must be submitted.

Bank Guarantee and Fees 

Exporters are required to submit a Bank Guarantee equivalent to 5% of the total FOB value of the quantity applied for. The guarantee must be issued through the Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) and remain valid until 31st December 2026, with a claim date up to 31st December 2027.

Bank Details for SFMS Confirmation 

Name of Beneficiary: APEDA
Account Number: 50200008509205
IFSC: HDFC0000467
Bank Name: HDFC
Branch: Hauz Khas, New Delhi

Additionally, processing charges of Rs. 11.80 per MT (inclusive of GST) must be paid online to APEDA’s account at the State Bank of India (Account Number: 57022180304, IFSC: SBIN0007407). An application fee of Rs. 23,600/- (inclusive of GST) per bid must also be submitted via demand draft in favor of APEDA, payable at New Delhi.

Allocation Process

The available quota will be allocated based on the highest FOB price in USD per MT quoted by applicants. If the highest bidder requests less than the available quota, the remaining quantity will be allocated to other applicants in descending order of price quotations. In case of identical FOB prices, the allocation will be made on a pro-rata basis.

Key Allocation Rules

Maximum allocation per bid: 1,100 MT.
Total allocation per bidder (across all bids): 2,900 MT.
No changes to exporter/importer names or FOB price will be allowed after submission of the tender.

Post-Allocation Requirements

RCAC Validity: The Registration-cum-Allocation Certificate (RCAC) will be valid until 30th September 2026. Exporters must ensure that consignments reach the EU within this validity period.
Export Details Submission: Exporters must submit details of actual exports within 15 days of the RCAC’s expiry date. Failure to export the full quantity will result in penalties, including the invocation of the Bank Guarantee.
Monthly Status Reports: Exporters must submit monthly export status reports by the 5th of each month, including supporting documents such as invoices, shipping bills, and bills of lading.

Export Stats

Conclusion

The TRQ scheme for sugar export to the EU provides a valuable opportunity for Indian exporters to access preferential tariff rates and expand their market reach. By adhering to the guidelines and eligibility criteria outlined by APEDA, exporters can successfully participate in this initiative and contribute to India’s growing presence in the global sugar market.

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Source: APEDA

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