The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce, has announced the suspension of Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) related to food products with immediate effect.
The decision, issued through Public Notice No. 20/2025-26 dated August 26, 2025, was taken under the powers conferred by the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
As per the Public Notice:
- Exporters dealing in food products under the specified SIONs (Annexure “A”) will no longer be able to use them.
- However, such exporters can still apply for benefits under the Advance Authorisation Scheme in accordance with Para 4.03(b)(ii), 4.03(b)(iii), or 4.03(b)(iv) of FTP 2023.
Impact: This move suspends the applicability of existing SIONs for food products, requiring exporters to shift to case-by-case approvals under Advance Authorisation.
In exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby suspends Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) mentioned at Annexure “A” to this Public Notice with immediate effect.
The entities engaged in export of products under SIONs in Annexure to this Public Notice may apply for benefits under the Advance Authorisation in terms of provisions in Para 4.03(b)(ii) or 4.03(b)(iii) or Para 4.03(b)(iv) as applicable.
Effect of this Public Notice: The Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) at Annexure “A” are suspended with immediate effect.
The Public Notice can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PN-20-English.pdf
