DGFT prohibits sugar exports until 30 September 2026
Sugar exporters must stop new exports unless a DGFT carve-out applies
Change
DGFT changed India’s export policy for raw, white and refined sugar from Restricted to Prohibited with immediate effect until 30 September 2026, subject to quota, Advance Authorisation, government-to-government and physical-pipeline exceptions.
Why it matters
The notification closes the normal restricted-export route for sugar and replaces it with a prohibition until 30 September 2026 or further orders. Exporters can proceed only if the consignment falls under a listed exception, including EU/USA CXL or TRQ quota, Advance Authorisation, government-to-government approval or defined physical export-pipeline conditions. Shipping, customs and documentation teams must preserve evidence of berth, loading, shipping-bill or Customs handover timing where relying on pipeline protection.
Implications
- — Sugar exporters must stop new exports under ITC (HS) 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90 unless a listed DGFT exception applies — the policy is Prohibited with immediate effect until 30 September 2026.
- — Customs brokers and shipping teams must verify loading, berthing, rotation-number, shipping-bill or Customs handover evidence before claiming pipeline protection — FTP transitional arrangement under Para 1.05 does not apply.
- — Export compliance teams using EU/USA CXL or TRQ quota, Advance Authorisation or government-to-government permissions must map each shipment to the relevant carve-out — unsupported shipments cannot proceed under the prohibition.
Who is affected
- — Indian sugar exporters
- — Customs brokers and shipping teams handling sugar exports
- — Export compliance teams using sugar quota or Advance Authorisation routes
- — Sugar mills and traders with open export contracts
What to watch
- — 13 May 2026: sugar export policy changes from Restricted to Prohibited with immediate effect.
- — 30 September 2026: prohibition expires unless extended; policy reverts to Restricted if not extended.