DGFT Eliminates Physical Duty Challans for EODC Processing via ICEGATE Integration

New Delhi, Aug 10 (KNN) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has removed 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.

For voluntary duty payments made on or after August 1, 2026, payment details received from Customs through ICEGATE will be electronically integrated with the DGFT system and mapped to the relevant authorisation. 

Exporters will be able to view and verify the authenticated payment details on the DGFT Customer Portal before submitting their EODC applications.

The same payment records will be accessible to DGFT Regional Authorities through the DGFT Back Office, removing the need for manual verification of physical challans.

The facility has been enabled through an API-based data exchange between DGFT and ICEGATE, under which customs duty payment information is transmitted electronically to the DGFT's EODC processing system.

The move applies to voluntary duty payments made for regularisation where the export obligation under an AA or EPCG authorisation has not been fully met. Earlier, exporters were required to submit physical proof of such payments, which was subsequently verified by the concerned Regional Authority.

DGFT has issued Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27 dated August 5, 2026, informing exporters and other stakeholders about the change.

Under the Advance Authorisation Scheme, eligible inputs can be imported without payment of customs duty subject to fulfilment of the prescribed export obligation. 

The EPCG Scheme allows import of capital goods at concessional or zero customs duty against an export obligation.

(KNN Bureau)