Launch of New DGFT Platform

As part of the Digital India program and to ensure Ease of Doing Business, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has planned to launch a new DGFT platform. The DGFT, vide its trade notification dated 25th June 2020, has announced that the first phase of the DGFT's new digital platform will Go-Live on 13th July 2020. This upgraded DGFT platform will become accessible through the Existing DGFT website. The primary objective of this initiative is to revamp the DGFT service delivery mechanisms and to promote and facilitate foreign trade. The current article exhaustively explains the launch of the New DGFT platform and its features.

The Gist of DGFT Trade Notification

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has upgraded to a new DGFT platform to simplify business services and make them better for traders. DGFT has notified that the DGFT will be offering services related to the Importer Exporter Code (Digital Delivery of IEC) in the first phase. All other online services will be rolled out after the first phase stabilizes. DGFT also informed that for the go-live of the first phase and the required systems configurations, the IEC applications and modification process would be suspended from 3:00 pm on 10.07.2020 till 13.07.2020. Stakeholders are requested to plan the IEC services.

Earlier DGFT – Director General of Foreign Trade

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), formerly the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E), is India’s official administrating body for imports and exports. It is an attached Department of Ministry and Commerce office in New Delhi. Its zonal offices are in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. DGFT is accountable for implementing the Foreign Trade Policy, with the primary objective of promoting the Nation’s exports

Services offered by the New DGFT platform

The following services will be offered to the Exporter/Importer in the DGFT’s newly developed platform:

Services Related to Importer Exporter Code – First Phase

From 13th July 2020, the trader can access the New DGFT Platform for obtaining the Importer Exporter Code (IEC), IEC Modification, and IEC amendments.
Along with the IEC process, a virtual assistant - Chatbot will be available in the new platform to address the trader’s queries.

All Other DGFT Services – Next Phase

Once the first phase of the new DGFT platform stabilizes, the DGFT will offer the following service to traders in the next phase.

Services related to Advance Authorization
Services related to the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme
Exports obligation Discharge

Enhanced Features of the New DGFT Platform

The new DGFT platform is also designed for the smooth migration of legacy (older) data of DGFT and its stakeholders. The existing data will be used for the online processing of the previous applications.
The trader will be able to monitor the status of the applications and pending obligations. These numerous features should significantly benefit the trade community. Traders are requested to familiarize themselves with the new platform and its features.

Procedure to Use the New DGFT platform

The trader can access the DGFT services only through a valid username and password; the new digital platform has been designed accordingly.

DGFT User Registration

For creating DGFT user ID, the IEC holders' registered mobile number and Email ID are mandatorily required. The same will be authenticated by the OTP/email-based authentication process.

Link Login ID with IEC

According to the new DGFT platform design, the DGFT user needs to link the login IDs (DGFT User ID) to their specific Import Export Code. Linking user ID with IEC will be available post login through Digital Signature/Aadhaar-based e-Sign.

Digital Signature (DSC)/Aadhaar-based e-Sign

Digital Signature (DSC)/Aadhaar-based e-Sign will be required for the following services.

IEC Application
Modification of IEC
Adding or updating the IEC-linked users

Note: The trader needs to take necessary actions for procuring/updating the information on the Digital Signature (DSC) or Aadhaar.

Apply for the DGFT Services

The newly created user profile can be used to engage with DGFT and its services. As mentioned above, users can electronically apply for related Import Export Code, Advance Authorization, and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes after logging into the portal. Along with the application following services will also be available for the trader.

Amendments and Redemption
Monitoring the status of the application
Raising queries,
Replying to the deficiencies
All other services related to the Foreign Trade policy

To know more about the DGFT trade notification, refer to the following official document: [pdf-embedder url="https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trade-Notice-16-Stage-1A-Go-live.pdf" title="Trade Notice 16 - Stage 1A Go-live"]