New Delhi, Sep 1: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has introduced an automated system for issuing Free Sale and Commerce Certificates, a move aimed at making export approvals faster and reducing paperwork for businesses.
Under the new system, eligible applications submitted through the DGFT portal can now be processed automatically instead of going through routine manual scrutiny by Regional Authorities. The certificates are issued under the Foreign Trade Policy for eligible products not covered by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The earlier process required applications to be examined and verified manually before certificates were issued. The new automated mechanism is expected to reduce processing time and make the approval process more predictable for exporters.
The system also includes safeguards. Applications that need additional verification or do not meet the required conditions will continue to be sent to the concerned Regional Authority for manual review. Some applications issued automatically may also be selected for subsequent review based on risk-management parameters.
The move is part of the government’s broader effort to use technology to simplify trade procedures and improve the ease of doing business for exporters.
For businesses, faster certificate issuance can help reduce delays in completing export formalities and make it easier to meet documentation requirements in overseas markets. It could be particularly useful for exporters that depend on timely approvals to complete international shipments.
The DGFT said the automated process is expected to make the issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates more efficient, transparent and predictable, while retaining necessary regulatory checks.
The initiative marks another step towards a more digital and paperless trade system and is expected to help Indian exporters spend less time on routine compliance and more time expanding their businesses in global markets.