The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has issued Trade Notice No. 26/2026-27 dated September 07, 2026, inviting comments and views from the trade and other concerned stakeholders on the proposed suspension of 544 Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) which have remained unutilised during the last three financial years.
DGFT has undertaken a review of the utilisation status of Standard Input Output Norms. Based on the review, 544 SIONs, detailed in the Annexure to the Trade Notice, were found to have remained unutilised under the Advance Authorisation (AA) and Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) Schemes during the preceding three financial years.
In view of the prolonged non-utilisation of these norms, DGFT has proposed to suspend the identified 544 SIONs. Accordingly, comments and views have been invited from the trade and other concerned stakeholders, including exporters, importers, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), industry associations and other interested parties, before a final decision is taken on the proposed suspension.
Stakeholders have been asked to submit their comments or views, together with relevant supporting information and documents, if any, within 15 days from the date of issue of the Trade Notice. Where a stakeholder seeks continued retention of any particular SION, the submission may specifically state the reasons for such retention and provide details regarding its actual or proposed utilisation under the Advance Authorisation or DFIA Scheme, wherever applicable.
DGFT has clarified that after expiry of the stipulated 15-day period, and after due consideration of the comments and views received from the trade and other stakeholders, the identified 544 SIONs may be suspended. Stakeholders have therefore been advised to furnish their representations within the prescribed timeline, as comments received after expiry of the stipulated period may not be considered.
The move is aimed at reviewing and rationalising the existing SION framework by identifying norms that have remained dormant over a sustained period, while providing industry and trade stakeholders an opportunity to demonstrate the continued relevance or prospective utilisation of specific norms before their suspension.
The Trade Notice has been issued with the approval of the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The Annexure accompanying the Trade Notice contains the complete list of 544 SIONs proposed for suspension.
The notice has been issued from e-File No. 01/94/180/071/AM26/PC-4/Pt-2. Representations may be submitted to the Directorate within the prescribed period in accordance with the details provided in the Trade Notice.
The Trade Notice can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Trade-Notice-No-26-26-27.pdf
