Amendment in Export Policy of Sugar
Notification/Circular No.16/2026-27 dated May 13, 2026
Applicable Act/Rule:Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 read with Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and ITC (HS), Schedule-II
Applicable Section/Rule: Sections 3 and 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 read with paragraphs 1.02, 1.05 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023
Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued Notification No. 16/2026-27 amending the export policy of sugar falling under Chapter 17 of ITC (HS), Schedule-II.
The notification revises the export policy for ITC (HS) Codes 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90 relating to raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar.
| ITC (HS) Code | Description | Existing Policy | Revised Policy | Policy Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1701 14 90 | Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar and Refined Sugar) | Restricted | Prohibited | Export prohibited with immediate effect till September 30, 2026 or till further orders |
| 1701 99 90 | Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar and Refined Sugar) | Restricted | Prohibited | Export prohibited with immediate effect till September 30, 2026 or till further orders |
The notification provides that the prohibition shall not apply to sugar exports to the European Union and United States under CXL and TRQ quota and exports under the Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS).
The notification further provides that the prohibition shall not apply to consignments where loading had commenced before publication of the notification, where shipping bills had been filed and vessels had berthed or anchored before publication of the notification, or where consignments had already been handed over to Customs or Custodian before publication of the notification.
The notification also provides that export of sugar may be allowed based on permission granted by the Government of India to other countries to meet food security requirements and based on requests from foreign governments.
The notification states that if the prohibition is not extended beyond September 30, 2026, the export policy for the above ITC (HS) codes shall revert to “Restricted”.
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