Last updated: December 2nd, 2022 4:19 PM

COVID-19 Helpdesk for International Trade

The Direct General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced the Operationalisation of DGFT COVID-19 Helpdesk for International Trade-related Issues vide a Trade Notice No. 02/2021-2022 dated 26.04.2021. The DGFT took this initiative to monitor the export and import status and the difficulties being faced by trade stakeholders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The current article briefs the COVID-19 Helpdesk for International Trade.

Synopsis of Notification

The Department of Commerce, the Government of India, and DGFT have undertaken steps to monitor the status of export and imports and the difficulties faced by trade stakeholders because of the surge of COVID-19 cases. DGFT has accordingly operationalized a 'COVID-19 Helpdesk' to support and seek suitable resolutions to issues arising in respect of International Trade

Service Offered

This 'COVID-19 Helpdesk' would look into issues relating to the following:

• Issues related to the Department of Commerce/ Direct General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• Import and Export Licensing Issues
• Customs clearance delays
• Complexities arising
• Import/Export documentation issues
• Banking matters

The helpdesk would also collect and collate trade-related issues concerning other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Central Government and State Governments and coordinate to seek support and provide possible resolutions.

Procedure to Submit Issues

EXIM community may submit information on the DGFT website and submit information relating to their issues on which support is required using the following steps: The applicant needs to access the official website of the DGFT Website and click on the Service option. Select the DGFT Helpdesk Service The applicant can submit the issue by clicking on 'Create New Request.' Login to the DGFT web portal using the login credential. After login into the portal, select the Category as 'Covid-19' and Select the suitable sub-category, enter the other relevant details and submit. Note: Alternatively, The applicant can send the issues to email id: dgftedi@nic.in with the subject header: Covid-19 Helpdesk or call at Toll-Free No 1800-111-550

• The status of resolutions and feedback may be tracked using the Status tracker under the DGFT Helpdesk Services.
• Email and SMS will also be sent as and when the status of these tickets is updated.

The official trade notice about the COVID-19 Helpdesk for International Trade is as follows: