Indian Missions to Follow up Exporter Complaints on DGFT Portals

Ø Para 8.04: Mechanism for Resolving Quality Complaints/Trade Disputes

1. Complaint Redressal: Indian Missions Abroad shall take up complaints with the relevant foreign authorities for appropriate redressal.

2. Source of Complaints: Complaints may be taken up either:

o Directly filed by applicants; or

o Referred by the concerned Foreign Trade (FT) Divisions of the Department of Commerce.

3. Periodic Status Updates: Indian Missions Abroad and the concerned FT Divisions shall periodically update:

o Action taken on each complaint.

o Current status of the complaint.

4. DGFT Portal Monitoring: All updates must be recorded on the DGFT portal until the complaint is resolved or finally disposed of.

5. Access to Complainants: Applicants/complainants shall be able to access all such updates through the DGFT portal.

Key Takeaway: The provision establishes a structured mechanism for monitoring complaints involving foreign trade issues, ensuring coordination between Indian Missions Abroad and the Department of Commerce, along with transparency and online tracking for complainants.

[DGFT Public Notice No. 38/2026-27 dated 03 November, 2026]

Effect of this Public Notice: The Indian Missions and the concerned FT Division shall follow and ensure timely updation of the status of complaints/trade disputes on the DGFT portal on a continuous basis, until the matter is resolved, closed, or otherwise disposed of, in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Subject: Amendment to Para 8.04(iii) of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 - Mechanism for resolving Quality Complaints/Trade Disputes.

In exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 read with Paragraph 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby amends Para 8.04(iii) of Chapter 8 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023, as set out below:

1. Existing Para 8.04(iii)

"The Indian Missions would take up the issue with authorities concerned for resolving the complaint and would update status online on regular basis."

2. Amended Para 8.04(iii)

Para 8.04(iii) of the HBP 2023 shall be substituted by the following:

"The Indian Missions Abroad shall take up complaints with the authorities concerned for appropriate redressal, either on the basis of complaints filed by the applicants or complaints referred by the concerned Foreign Trade (FT) Divisions of the Department of Commerce . The Indian Missions Abroad and the concerned FT Divisions shall periodically update the action taken and the status of each complaint on the DGFT portal until its resolution or final disposal, as the case may be. All such updates shall be accessible to the complainant through the DGFT portal."

[Issued from File No. 01/13/HQ/AM27/QCTD/ E-47324]