DGFT Notification – Amends Para 4.53 of Handbook of Procedures 2023.

The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), through a recent public notice, has introduced a much-needed reform under the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 by inserting a new clause, Para 4.53(e). This amendment is aimed at improving ease of doing business by allowing exporters to correct system-related issues in unutilized and un-transferred Duty Free Import Authorisations (DFIAs). 

Key Highlights of the Amendment

• Legal Provision: Introduced under Paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
• New Clause: Para 53(e) added to the Handbook of Procedures 2023.
• Correction Facility: Exporters can now apply for corrections in ANF 4G.
• Approval Authority: Any such amendment will require approval from the Head of Office.

 What Amendments are Allowed?

The new provision permits corrections that are system-related and corrective in nature. Some illustrative examples include:

• Correction in Unit of Measurement (UoM)
• Correction in ITC HS code of the import item
• Correction in the value of the import item

Effect of the Public Notice

• Simplifies compliance for exporters holding unutilized or un-transferred DFIAs.
• Reduces dependency on long manual approval processes.
• Saves time by allowing direct online correction facility.
• Ensures better accuracy and transparency in DFIA transactions.

Notification Reference: DGFT
Public Notice No. 22 /2025
09 /09/2025