DGFT Instructs All Departments Strictly Follow the Three Mandatory Documents for Import and Export

· Deviations to be Reported to the Officer through Trade Associations

[DGFT Trade Notice No. 15 dated 21^st January 2016]

Subject: Strict adherence to the Notification No 114 dated 12^th March 2015 specifying number of mandatory documents required for Export and Import.

To reduce the number of mandatory documents required for exports and imports, DGFT had issued Notification No 114 dated 12^th March 2015 specifying that only three documents each would be mandatory for exports and imports. These documents are:

(a) Mandatory documents required for export of goods from India:

1. Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

2. Commercial Invoice cum Packing List

3. Shipping Bill/Bill of Export

(b) Mandatory documents required for import of goods into India

1. Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

2. Commercial Invoice cum Packing List

3. Bill of Entry

2. The Notification mentioned that for export or import of specific goods which are subject to any restrictions/policy conditions or require NOC or product specific compliances under any statute, the regulatory authority concerned may notify additional documents for purposes of export or import. In specific cases of export or import, the regulatory authority concerned may electronically or in writing seek additional documents or information, as deemed necessary to ensure legal compliance. Thus a departure from the 3 document norm is envisaged only in rare exceptional cases where a substantive legal requirement exists for doing so.

3. The above notification applies to all departments concerned with Exports and Imports. All concerned are requested to follow the above notification strictly and not require submission of additional documents without sufficient cause. Any deviations may be reported to DGFT through the respective trade bodies.