India on Wednesday prohibited the export of sugar with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or until further orders, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The notification amended the export policy for various categories of sugar from “Restricted” to “Prohibited”.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said the amendment covers raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar classified under specific ITC (HS) codes. The move is aimed at ensuring adequate domestic availability and maintaining food security.
“The export policy of Sugar (Raw Sugar, White Sugar and Refined Sugar) under ITC (HS) Codes 1701 14 90 and 1701 99 90 is amended from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Prohibited’ with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the notification stated.
However, the government has allowed certain exemptions under existing international commitments and trade schemes.
Exports to the European Union and the United States under CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements will continue as per existing procedures laid down in relevant public notices.
Shipments under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) will also continue to be governed by the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
The government has further provided relief for consignments already in the export pipeline. Sugar shipments where loading had commenced before the issuance of the notification will be allowed to proceed.
Exports will also be permitted in cases where shipping bills had already been filed and vessels had berthed or anchored at Indian ports with allocated rotation numbers before the notification came into effect.
“The approval for loading in such vessels shall be issued only after confirmation by the concerned Port Authority regarding berthing/anchoring prior to this Notification,” the Ministry said.
Consignments already handed over to Customs authorities or custodians and registered in electronic systems with verifiable evidence have also been exempted from the immediate ban.
The notification added that sugar exports may be permitted to specific countries to address their food security requirements if a formal request is received from the respective governments.
The government further stated that if the prohibition is not extended beyond September 30, 2026, the export policy for these sugar categories will automatically revert to the “Restricted” category.
-ANI
