The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the last date for submission of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) applications for the financial year 2026-27 under select Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
As per Public Notice No. 50/2025-26 dated 24 February 2026, issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the deadline has been revised from 28 February 2026 to 15 March 2026.
The extension applies to specific products covered under Appendix-2A of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and aims to provide additional time for eligible importers to submit applications under the notified FTAs.
TRQ Under India-Sri Lanka FTA
Under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, the extended deadline covers the following items:
- Bakery shortening and margarine (excluding prohibited items) - 2,50,000 MT
- Pepper (ITC HS 0904) - 2,500 MT
- Desiccated Coconut (ITC HS 08011100) - 500 MT
Imports will be governed by procedures outlined in Annexure-I of Appendix 2-A of FTP 2023.
TRQ Under India-Mercosur Trade Agreement
For imports under the India-Mercosur Trade Agreement, the extension applies to:
-
Crude Soy Oil (ITC HS 1507 10 00) from Paraguay - 30,000 MT
Import procedures will follow Annexure-II of Appendix 2-A of FTP 2023.
TRQ Under India-Mauritius CECPA
The extension also covers multiple products under the India-Mauritius CECPA, including:
- Fresh produce such as pineapples (1,000 tons) and lichi (250 tons)
- Vanilla (15 tons)
- Tunas and other prepared fish (7,000 tons combined)
- Specialty sugar (15,000 tons)
- Beer (2 million litres)
- Fruit wine and rum (1.5 million litres combined)
- Apparel and clothing accessories - 7.5 million pieces , with a mandatory sourcing condition requiring at least 5 million pieces to be manufactured from Indian yarn or fabric.
The applicable import procedures are detailed in Annexure-III of Appendix 2-A of FTP 2023.
Click here to check the official copy of the notification
Trade Facilitation Move Ahead of FY 2026-27
The extension has been issued under the powers conferred by Paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the FTP 2023. By allowing additional time for TRQ submissions, DGFT aims to ensure smoother participation by importers and prevent procedural bottlenecks before the commencement of FY 2026–27.
TRQs allow imports at concessional or zero duty up to specified quantities under FTAs, making timely application critical for businesses seeking tariff advantages.
Importers dealing in edible oils, spices, sugar, alcoholic beverages, fish products, and textiles should take note of the revised deadline and ensure compliance with the relevant annexure procedures.
With the new deadline set for 15 March 2026 , stakeholders now have a limited but valuable window to complete their applications and secure quota allocations under these trade agreements.
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