The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has prohibited the sugar exports with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

The notification, issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, amends the export policy of sugar under Chapter 17 of ITC (HS), Schedule-II.

Under the revised policy, the export status of sugar has been changed from “Restricted” to “Prohibited”. The prohibition applies to raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar falling under ITC (HS) Codes 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90.

The DGFT stated that export of sugar is prohibited with immediate effect till September 30, 2026. However, the restriction will not apply to sugar exports to the European Union and the United States under CXL and TRQ quota arrangements, subject to compliance with the prescribed procedures under relevant public notices.

The notification further clarifies that exports under the Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS) will continue to be governed by the existing provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.

The government has also stated that the notification comes into force immediately and that the transitional arrangement provisions under Para 1.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 will not apply in this case.

Notification Details

Notification No. 16/2026-27

Date: 13/05/2026