DGFT Extends Special Drive for Expedited Issuance of EODCs under AA and EPCG Schemes

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Dated: 03.04.2025

DGFT Extends Special Drive for Expedited Issuance of EODCs under AA and EPCG Schemes

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has announced the extension of its special drive for the issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODCs) under the Advance Authorisation (AA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Schemes. Initially conducted from March 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026, the drive has been extended until May 31, 2026, to further streamline processes and reduce compliance burdens for exporters.

This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate trade and ensure the timely closure of pending authorisations, enabling exporters to focus on their business operations without unnecessary delays.

Achievements of the March 2026 Special Drive 

The first phase of the special drive, conducted in March 2026, proved to be highly successful. DGFT Regional Authorities issued a total of 11,791 EODCs by March 28, 2026, which included:

7,518 EODCs under the Advance Authorisation Scheme
4,273 EODCs under the EPCG Scheme

This resulted in a substantial reduction in the backlog of EODC applications, providing relief to exporters and authorisation holders who had been waiting for their cases to be resolved.

Objectives of the Extended Drive

To build on the success of the March initiative, the DGFT has decided to extend the special drive for an additional two months, from April 1, 2026, to May 31, 2026. The extended drive will focus on:

Clearing older pending EODC applications that have been delayed due to deficiencies or incomplete submissions.
Resolving cases where closure has been delayed due to the lack of timely submission of complete documents or clarifications by authorisation holders.

The goal is to ensure a time-bound closure of old AA/EPCG authorisations, thereby reducing the compliance burden on exporters and facilitating smoother trade operations.

Guidelines for Trade and Authorisation Holders 

To ensure the success of this extended drive, DGFT has issued specific guidelines for trade and authorisation holders. Stakeholders are advised to:

Review Pending Applications: Regularly check the status of their EODC applications and identify any deficiencies or missing documents.
Submit Required Documents Promptly: Furnish any pending documents or clarifications to the concerned Regional Authorities without delay.
Respond to Deficiency Communications: Address any deficiency notices within the prescribed timelines to avoid further delays.
Engage with Regional Authorities: Attend facilitation interactions or Jan Sunwai sessions organised by Regional Authorities to resolve long-pending cases.

By adhering to these guidelines, authorisation holders can ensure faster processing of their applications and contribute to the success of the initiative.

Benefits of the Extended Drive

The extended special drive is expected to bring several benefits to exporters and authorisation holders, including:

Time-bound closure of old authorisations under the AA and EPCG schemes.
Reduction in compliance burden for exporters, allowing them to focus on their core business activities.
Facilitation of Customs-related actions, such as the redemption of Bonds and release of Bank Guarantees, wherever applicable.

This initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of enhancing ease of doing business and supporting the growth of India’s export sector.

Role of Regional Authorities 

To ensure the effective implementation of the extended drive, DGFT has directed Regional Authorities to adopt an age-wise pendency clearance strategy. This approach prioritises older cases, ensuring that long-pending applications are addressed first. Regional Authorities are also encouraged to actively engage with stakeholders during facilitation interactions and provide necessary support to resolve issues.

Addressing Challenges

DGFT has assured stakeholders that any difficulties faced during the implementation of this Trade Notice can be reported to the concerned Regional Authority or the DGFT Headquarters. For further assistance, stakeholders can contact the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Mr. Raman Kumar, at ramankumar@nic.in.

Call to Action for Stakeholders 

The DGFT urges all trade and authorisation holders to make full use of this extended opportunity by:

Reviewing the status of their pending EODC applications.
Submitting any missing documents or clarifications promptly.
Actively participating in facilitation sessions to resolve old cases.

This proactive approach will not only help expedite the issuance of EODCs but also contribute to the overall efficiency of the export process.

Conclusion

The extension of the special drive for EODC issuance under the AA and EPCG schemes is a significant step by the Government of India to support exporters and streamline trade processes. By prioritising older cases and encouraging cooperation between stakeholders and Regional Authorities, this initiative aims to reduce delays, enhance compliance, and improve the ease of doing business.

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Source: DGFT

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