SEZ Rules 2006 Amended - Export Realisation Period and Reporting Timeline Extended

Ø Form H: Bond-cum-Legal Undertaking for SEZ Unit

Ø Annexure I: Guidelines for Annual Monitoring of Performance of Units in Special Economic Zones

· The Central Government has notified the Special Economic Zones (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 under Section 55 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 through G.S.R. 609(E).

· The amendments come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

· Extension of export proceeds realisation period:

o In Form H, Condition 7, the prescribed period for realisation of export proceeds has been extended from "180 days" to "nine months."

· Extension of reporting timeline:

o In Annexure-I, Item (1), the reference to the "second quarter" has been replaced with the "third quarter", effectively extending the applicable reporting/compliance timeline.

Key Impact:

· SEZ units receive additional time (nine months instead of 180 days) to realise export proceeds, easing compliance and cash-flow management.

· The amendment also defers the relevant reporting requirement from the second quarter to the third quarter, providing greater operational flexibility for SEZ developers and units.

[DoC Notification G.S.R. 609(E) dated 9 July, 2026]

G.S.R. 609(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by section 55 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006, namely: -

1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These rules may be called the Special Economic Zones (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the principal rules), in Form H, in Condition 7, for the words “one hundred eighty days”, the words “nine months” shall be substituted.

3. In the principal rules, in Annexure-I, in item (1), for the words “second quarter”, the words “third quarter” shall be substituted.

[F. No. K-43022/83/2025-SEZ]