DGFT issues notification regarding EOD certificate for pre-approval and EPCG process from DGFT portal

To facilitate the issuance of an Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) for Advance Authorization (AA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) processes from the DGFT portal, the General Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a trade notice on April 6, 2023. The RA is responsible for preparing all MIS reports using the latest online data.

Regarding the online functionality for AA and EPCG authorization holders to change the closure or withdrawal status on the DGFT website (https://dgft.gov.in) of manually issued EODCs in case they have been erroneously reported on the DGFT portal , see a previous Trade Notice No. 24/2022-23 dated January 12, 2023.

The Government of India issues the Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) to exporters who have fulfilled their export obligations under several export promotion schemes including Advance Authorization, Duty-Free Import Authorization (DFIA) and Export Promotion Capital Items (EPCG).

For exporters who have used the pre-approval system and other similar schemes, it is an important document as it allows them to fulfill their export obligations and qualify for a range of benefits.

According to the notification, the following is communicated:

• The online application for license withdrawal/closure can be made via the DGFT website –> Services –> AA / EPCG –> Pre-Authorization Closure / EPCG Closure.
• AA graduation applications can be submitted with or without data validation
• With Validation Route – Provided that the full dataset such as Delivery Notes / Import Certificates / eBRC / GST Invoices / Export Certificates / Tax Receipts etc. is available in an online system.
• Without validation route – The application can also be submitted with exceptions for data (e.g. delivery notes / bills of entry / eBRC etc.).
• EPCG closure requests can also be submitted online without validation.

Authorization holders may submit EODC status update requests to the RA for processing when physical files are delivered to the RA for redemption. It was instructed that:

1. RA can update the license status suo-moto by navigating to the license room, selecting the relevant license number –> clicking on the “EODC Status Update” button and generating the EODC letter online.

2. Marketing Authorization Holders can submit EODC Status Update Requests by accessing the DGFT website –> Services –> AA/EPCG –> EODC Status Update.

The MAH would still submit a withdrawal request through the DGFT website, even though some documents would need to be submitted physically (without validation). The regional authorities will review the case accordingly and communication with the applicant must be done online via the DGFT portal.

In order to speed up the completion of the customs deposit and other relevant activities in the customs port, it should be noted that all EODC issued online are electronically transmitted to the customs ICEGATE system almost in real time.

Both online applications that require physical submission and those that do not are available through the online options above. As a result, it is now necessary that no Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODC) are issued manually or via an outdated IT system ((LEMIS system)).