New Delhi, Aug 10: Exporters will now face fewer paperwork and verification hurdles while closing certain export authorisations, as the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has moved to a fully digital system for verifying duty payments.
The change applies to the Advance Authorisation (AA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes and is expected to make the compliance process quicker, simpler and more convenient for exporters.
For voluntary duty payments made on or after August 1, 2026, exporters no longer need to submit physical challans while applying for an Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC).
Instead, payment details will be electronically transferred from Customs systems and matched with the relevant authorisation. Exporters will be able to check the authenticated payment information online before submitting their applications.
For businesses, the biggest benefit is less paperwork and fewer opportunities for delays caused by missing documents or manual verification. Exporters will no longer have to maintain and physically submit payment challans or repeatedly follow up with officials to confirm payment details.
The change could be especially useful for small and medium-sized exporters, which often manage regulatory and documentation work with limited staff. A simpler digital process can reduce administrative costs and allow businesses to focus more on production, sales and expanding overseas markets.
DGFT officials will also have access to the same authenticated payment records, reducing manual checks and helping applications move more quickly through the system.
The digital connection between DGFT and the Customs ICEGATE platform is expected to improve the accuracy of payment records and reduce discrepancies during the authorisation closure process.
For exporters, the move means a more predictable and transparent experience, with less physical interaction and fewer documents required to complete routine compliance formalities.
The initiative reflects the broader shift towards digital trade facilitation and is aimed at making it easier for Indian businesses to comply with export regulations while spending less time on administrative procedures.
