Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

About Directorate General of Foreign Trade

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is an attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, headed by the Director General of Foreign Trade.
• DGFT is responsible for formulating and implementing India’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) with the broad objective of promoting India’s exports and facilitating international trade.
• It functions under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (FTDR Act) and undertakes both trade facilitation and regulatory/enforcement functions.
• The organisation has evolved from a predominantly regulatory and control-oriented role towards that of a trade facilitator, particularly after economic liberalisation.
• DGFT operates through a network of Regional Authorities and provides various digital services to exporters and importers.

I. Key Functions & Areas of Responsibility

• Foreign Trade Policy: Formulation and implementation of India’s Foreign Trade Policy.
• Import–Export Regulation: Regulation of imports and exports through applicable licensing, authorisation and policy measures.
• Importer Exporter Code (IEC): Issuance and administration of the IEC, an important identification requirement for importers and exporters.
• Export Promotion: Administration of various export promotion measures and schemes.
• Export Authorisations: Granting authorisations and licences for specified restricted exports/imports.
• Export Obligations: Monitoring compliance with obligations arising under different export-promotion schemes.
• Trade Facilitation: Providing digital platforms, information and hand-holding support to exporters, particularly MSMEs and new exporters.
• Certificate of Origin: Administration of matters relating to Certificates of Origin and preferential trade arrangements.
• Enforcement: Investigation, adjudication and action against violations of the FTDR Act and foreign trade regulations.

II. Major Digital & Trade Facilitation Initiatives

• Trade Connect ePlatform: DGFT has launched the Trade Connect ePlatform to provide trade-related information and support to existing and aspiring Indian exporters. It connects stakeholders such as Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils and the Department of Commerce.
• E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEHs): These are intended to facilitate cross-border e-commerce exports by bringing services such as customs clearance, quality certification, packaging and warehousing closer together.
• Districts as Export Hubs (DEH): The initiative identifies products and services with export potential at the district level and seeks to address local supply-chain and infrastructure bottlenecks.
• Niryat Bandhu: Provides hand-holding and mentoring support to aspiring and existing exporters, particularly those requiring guidance on international trade procedures.

III. Complementary Export Promotion Mission

• The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to provide a comprehensive, flexible and digitally driven framework for strengthening India’s exports.
• Total Outlay: ₹25,060 crore
• Implementation Period: 2025-26 to 2030-31
• The Mission operates through two integrated sub-schemes:
  • NIRYAT PROTSAHAN – aimed at providing finance-related support to exporters.
  • NIRYAT DISHA – aimed at providing non-financial support for export development and market access.
• The EPM complements DGFT’s broader role in strengthening export competitiveness, market access, MSME participation and trade facilitation.

Conclusion

The DGFT has evolved from a primarily regulatory institution into a trade facilitator, balancing the objectives of export promotion, import-export regulation, compliance and ease of doing business. Through initiatives such as Trade Connect, Districts as Export Hubs, E-Commerce Export Hubs and the Export Promotion Mission, DGFT can play a crucial role in strengthening India’s export competitiveness, MSME participation and integration with global markets.