New Delhi: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has eliminated the requirement for exporters to submit physical duty payment challans while applying for Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODCs) under the Advance Authorisation (AA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes.
The change applies to voluntary duty payments made on or after August 1, 2026, with authenticated payment information now being integrated electronically from Customs systems into DGFT’s online workflow.
DGFT-ICEGATE Integration Enables Digital Verification
Under the new system, licence-wise voluntary duty payment details received from ICEGATE, the Indian Customs electronic gateway, are integrated with DGFT’s online systems.
Exporters will be able to view the authenticated payment details on the DGFT Customer Portal and verify that the payment has been mapped to the relevant authorisation before submitting their EODC application.
Regional Authorities will have access to the same authenticated records through the DGFT Back Office, removing the need for manual verification of payment details.
What Changes for Exporters?
- No physical challans required for applicable voluntary duty payments made from August 1, 2026.
- Payment records will be electronically transmitted from Customs/ICEGATE to DGFT.
- Exporters can verify payment mapping through the DGFT Customer Portal.
- Regional Authorities can access authenticated records through the DGFT Back Office.
- The process reduces manual documentation and verification.
Faster EODC Processing
The API-based integration between DGFT and ICEGATE replaces the earlier process of physical submission and manual verification of payment records.
According to DGFT, the digital process is intended to improve data accuracy, reduce human intervention, enhance transparency and shorten processing timelines for EODC applications.
The measure is also expected to reduce documentation and follow-up requirements for exporters, including MSMEs that manage authorisation-closure formalities internally.
Trade Notice Issued on August 5
DGFT issued Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27 on August 5, 2026, informing exporters and other stakeholders about the change.
The measure supports the government’s digital trade facilitation agenda, reducing paperwork and strengthening system integration in line with the principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
How the Schemes Work
The Advance Authorisation Scheme allows duty-free import of inputs that are physically incorporated into exported products, subject to an export obligation.
The EPCG Scheme allows eligible import of capital goods at concessional or zero customs duty against an export obligation.
Where the export obligation is not fully met, an authorisation holder can regularise the case by paying the applicable proportionate customs duty saved along with interest. The holder can then apply for an EODC to close the authorisation.
Earlier, proof of such duty payment had to be submitted physically and verified manually by the concerned Regional Authority. The new system replaces that step with authenticated digital payment records.
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