Advance Authorisation and Advance Licence Services in India

Advance Authorisation lets you import goods. You skip some import tax. In return, you agree to export a set amount of finished goods. This can cut your costs a lot.

Dwarkadhish Overseas helps exporters at every step. We check if you qualify. We help you apply. We work out your input and output numbers. We file your paperwork. We register you with Customs. We handle changes and renewals. We track your export progress. We help you close the file at the end.

We have helped many businesses with this scheme. We know the rules well. We keep your file on track from day one. You can call us, or send us a note. We reply fast and keep things clear.

Authorisation

What Is Advance Authorisation?

This scheme lets you skip some import tax. You must use the goods you bring in to make what you export. Some waste is fine and normal. Fuel and oil used on site may also count.

You get the approval first. Then you import and then you export. A few rules apply:

Your inputs must match an approved list

You must add enough value to the goods

You must be the actual user of the goods

You must import and export on time

There are caps on product type and amount

You must keep good records

You must hit your export goal

You must close the file at the end

Can be imported

What Can Be Imported Under Advance Authorisation?

Eligible imports may include:

Raw materials

Components

Intermediates

Parts

Consumables

Packing materials, if allowed

Fuel

Oil

Catalysts

Inputs in the export product

Inputs used to make it

Eligibility depends on:

Export product

SION or approved norm

Rules for this product

Input specs

Tech details

Amount

Waste allowed

How you make it

Pre-import rules

Actual User rules

Not every input can be imported. The norm must allow it. The factory may use an input — that alone does not make it allowed. Some inputs need approval. This goes through a process to fix the norm.

Authorisation

Duties Exempted Under Advance Authorisation

Advance Authorisation can help cut Customs duty. This applies to some inputs. The duty benefit can
cover:

Basic Customs Duty

The standard customs duty levied on the assessable value of imported goods under the Customs Tariff Act.

Additional Customs duties

Duties levied over and above BCD on specific goods (e.g., Social Welfare Surcharge), as notified for the item category.

Anti-dumping duty

A protective duty imposed on imports priced below fair market value to prevent injury to domestic industry.

Safeguard duty

A temporary duty imposed to protect domestic industry from a sudden surge in imports causing or threatening serious injury.

Other notified duties

Any additional duty or cess specifically notified by the Government as exempt under the relevant Advance Authorisation notification.

Integrated GST

The GST component levied on imports in lieu of the tax that would apply on a domestic inter-state sale, exempted subject to export obligation conditions.

Compensation Cess

A cess levied on select goods (e.g., luxury, sin, or notified items) under the GST Compensation Cess Act, exempted on qualifying imports under Advance Authorisation.

The Foreign Trade Policy also gives relief in some cases. This covers IGST and Compensation Cess. This tax break can apply to physical exports. It can also apply to deemed exports.

Check the latest Customs notice before you rely on this. The duty benefit can vary by input, export, and other factors.

Important clarification

The benefit does not apply to all inputs or duties.

The exporter should check:

Who Can Apply for Advance Authorisation?

You may apply if you are:

If you trade goods you don’t make, you must name your factory. The approval is tied to that plant.

Basic Requirements

You should have:

A live export code.
An updated DGFT profile.
A valid RCMC, if needed.
GST papers and branch details.
Maker status, or a linked factory.
A qualifying export product.
The right product code.
Your inputs listed out.
A clear link from input to output.
Planned import and export amounts.
Enough value added.
Output and use details.
An export order or a business plan.
Your plant address conbusinessed.
The right Customs port.

Authorisation

How This Approval Gets Issued

There are four main paths:

All four paths are valid today. You can use the standard list. You can use self-declaration. You can use prior panel review. You can use self-ratification.

What is it

What Is SION?

SION means Standard Input Output Norms.

It sets the type and amount of goods you may import to make a fixed amount of your export
product.

A SION entry may show:

Before You Use a SION

Check that:

This page is a quick guide. Your own case may need more detail. Talk to our team for the exact steps you should take next.

Self-Declaration Advance Authorisation

Sometimes no SION applies, or the SION does not fit. Then you may apply on a self-declaration basis, using your own proposed input-output norms. The form can ask for:

The exporter agrees to accept the final norms. The Norms Committee sets these norms. The exporter also agrees to pay Customs duty and interest. This applies to any input imported beyond the approved amount.

Prior Fixation of Norms

An exporter may seek applicant-specific norm fixation before applying for or fully utilising an
Advance Authorisation.

This may be preferable where:

Our prior-fixation assistance

Self-Ratification Scheme

The Self-Ratification Scheme can permit eligible exporters to obtain authorisation on self-declared norms without ordinary Norms Committee ratification, subject to prescribed eligibility and exclusions.

Eligibility should be assessed carefully because the scheme may depend on:

This route should not be selected merely to avoid preparing technical input-output evidence.

Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement

Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement suits eligible exporters. You need a past export record. It only covers SION-listed products. Current rules also apply.

It gives you one input entitlement for the year. You do not apply for every export order.

It may suit you where:

ANF 4A has fields for this entitlement. It also covers any annual-requirement authorisation you already got this year.

Special Advance Authorisation for Apparel

A special Advance Authorisation route exists for apparel and clothing accessories. This covers Chapters 61 and 62. It can cover duty-free fabric imports. Scheme rules apply, including:

Apparel exporters should not use the usual Advance Authorisation rules here. Check the special rules first.

Advance Authorisation for Intermediate Supply

An intermediate supplier can get Advance Authorisation through a tie-up. The tie-up is with an ultimate exporter. That exporter must hold an Advance Authorisation or DFIA. The arrangement can involve:

The HBP covers Advance Authorisation for intermediate supply. It sets out the invalidation and paperwork rules.

Advance Authorisation for Deemed Exports

Advance Authorisation can also cover deemed-export supplies. This is under Chapter 7. The category and conditions must fit. The form can ask for:

For project supplies, this can change. The import and export-obligation periods may follow the contract duration. This duration is set in the HBP.

Minimum Value Addition

The standard minimum value addition under Advance Authorisation is 15%. Exceptions include:
Appendix 4D products, where a lower value addition may apply

Tea, where the minimum is 50%

DGFT’s FAQ on Advance Authorisation conbusinesses this. It covers the 15% rule, the Appendix 4D cases, and the 50% rule for tea.

How Is Value Addition Calculated?

Value addition broadly compares the export value with the CIF value of duty-free inputs.

A simplified representation is:

Value Addition (%) = [(FOB Value of Export − CIF Value of Inputs) ÷ CIF Value of Inputs] × 100

The actual calculation should follow the applicable FTP definition and may require adjustments for:

Example

Suppose:

• FOB value of export: ₹1.50 crore
• CIF value of duty-free inputs: ₹1 crore

Then:
Value Addition = [(₹1.50 crore − ₹1 crore) ÷ ₹1 crore] × 100 = 50%

Actual User Condition

Advance Authorisation carries the Actual User condition. This also applies to materials imported under it. This means:

The current FTP repeats this rule. Advance Authorisation and imported materials stay subject to the Actual User condition. They are non-transferable.

Pre-Import Condition

Certain inputs or products may carry a pre-import condition. Where this applies:

Check whether pre-import applies before you export. Do this before you get the authorisation.

Import Validity of Advance Authorisation

The standard import-validity period is 12 months. This runs from the issue date of the authorisation. For eligible project supplies, this can change. Validity may follow the project’s agreed duration, set out in the HBP.

Important planning point
Finish these steps before import validity expires:

Do not assume this. An expired authorisation may not work for new imports.

Revalidation of Import Validity

You may apply for revalidation. This extends the import-validity period. The DGFT portal has a separate tool for this. The published fees are:

Eligibility, the number of revalidations, and the time allowed depend on three things. These are the issue date, the policy period, and current HBP rules.

Export Obligation Period

The standard export-obligation period is 18 months. This runs from the date of issue. A different period may apply for some products or projects. Project supplies, defence, aerospace, nuclear, or special inputs may get a different period. This depends on the relevant HBP rule.

The export obligation normally covers:

Temporary 2026 Export Obligation Extension

DGFT gave an automatic extension. It runs up to 31 August 2026. This covers Advance Authorisations with an export-obligation period due to expire.

That window runs from 1 March 2026 to 31 May 2026. DGFT brought this in as a short-term step. Disruptions were hitting logistics and global supply chains.

Website update instruction

Remove or update this section after 31 August 2026. Keep it only if DGFT announces a further extension.

Export Obligation Extension

Where export obligation cannot be completed within the original period, the authorisation holder may assess eligibility for an EO extension.

The DGFT portal provides separate functionality for:

A further extension may require the holder to have fulfilled the prescribed minimum proportion of export obligation in quantity and value.

The Advance Authorisation FAQ states that a second six-month extension can be considered where at least 50% of the export obligation has been fulfilled on a pro-rata basis.

Extension review should cover:

Government Application Fee

The DGFT fee for a new Advance Authorisation is:

₹1 per ₹1,000 or part thereof of the CIF value subject to:

Minimum fee: ₹500
Maximum fee: ₹1,00,000

The same Appendix also lists ₹200 as the basic fee for an amendment and separate fees for revalidation.

Examples

Proposed CIF value

Indicative DGFT fee

₹50 lakh

₹5,000

₹1 crore

₹10,000

₹5 crore

₹50,000

₹10 crore or above

Maximum ₹1,00,000

The actual portal fee should be confirmed before payment.

Professional Charges

Advance Authorisation application

Custom quotation: Professional charges depend on:

SION or self-declaration route

Number of export products

Number of imported inputs

Input complexity

Wastage

Manufacturing locations

Supporting manufacturers

Application CIF value

Technical documentation

Norms Committee involvement

Existing authorisations and defaults

Charges payable separately

DGFT application fee

Chartered Engineer fee

CA, CMA or CS certification

Technical consultant fee

Customs registration

Bank Guarantee or LUT expenses

Testing or laboratory reports

Notarisation and translation

Customs duty and interest

Composition or late fees

Site visits

Legal representation

Third-party expenses

Pricing disclaimer

Professional charges cover only the agreed assessment, documentation, filing and follow-up scope. Payment does not guarantee DGFT authorisation, duty exemption, Norms Committee approval, EODC or Customs closure.

Checklist

Documents Required for New Advance Authorisation

The checklist depends on the application route.

Document / Information

Purpose

IEC

DGFT identification

GST Registration

Business and manufacturing-unit details

RCMC

Export-sector registration

Constitution documents

Legal-entity verification

PAN and signatory details

Authentication

Export order or purchase order

Export requirement

Proforma invoice for imported inputs

CIF-value and input information

Export-product details

Resultant-product endorsement

Input list

Import entitlement

ITC-HS codes

Product classification

Input-output statement

Norm and quantity assessment

SION number

Where applicable

Manufacturing-process note

Technical nexus

Bill of materials

Input consumption

Wastage calculation

Norm assessment

Factory details

Actual User location

Supporting-manufacturer documents

Merchant-exporter applications

Previous export performance

Annual requirement or assessment

Existing authorisation details

Outstanding EO disclosure

Domestic supplier details

Invalidation or ARO

Production and consumption data

Self-declaration cases

Technical literature

Input and product specifications

ANF 4A records IEC, RCMC, factory details, annual-requirement entitlement, deemed exports, invalidation, ARO and supporting-manufacturer information.

Our Process

Advance Authorisation Application Process

Our Advance Authorisation consultant follows the process below to prepare and submit the application.

Registration

Customs Registration of Advance Authorisation

After DGFT issues the authorisation, it must be registered at the applicable Customs location before duty-free imports are cleared.

The Customs process may involve:

Authorisation transmission verification

Port registration

Bond or LUT

Bank Guarantee, where applicable

IEC and GSTIN verification

Input-item verification

Quantity and value debit

Bill of Entry endorsement

Authorisation-condition review

Our Customs-registration assistance

DGFT-to-ICEGATE transmission review

Port-registration document checklist

Bond and LUT coordination

Bank Guarantee guidance

Input and quantity matching

Customs query support

Bill of Entry utilisation monitoring

Invalidation Letter

An Invalidation Letter prevents direct duty-free import of a specified input under the authorisation and permits procurement from an eligible domestic supplier or intermediate supplier.

The application can require:

DGFT’s FAQ explains that invalidation items and domestic-supplier details are entered in the additional-input section of the application.

Advance Release Order

An Advance Release Order allows eligible inputs to be procured from specified indigenous sources or State Trading Enterprises under the applicable scheme procedure.

ANF 4A includes fields for:

Advance Authorisation Amendment

An issued authorisation may require amendment because of:

The basic government amendment fee is currently listed as ₹200. Additional fee may apply where the CIF value is increased.

Our amendment service

Enhancement or Reduction of Authorisation Value

The CIF or FOB value may require enhancement or reduction because of:

For enhancement, DGFT charges the prescribed fee on the differential CIF value, unless the maximum application fee has already been paid.

Exports Made Before Authorisation Issue

Exports made in anticipation of authorisation are undertaken at the exporter’s own risk.

Where the application is rejected, modified or issued with lower norms, the exporter may face:

The HBP states that exports or supplies made in anticipation of authorisation are at the exporter’s risk

Shipping Bill Requirements

Export documents should accurately identify the applicable Advance Authorisation. Review:

A missing or incorrect authorisation number may prevent exports from appearing automatically in DGFT closure and extension applications.

Export Obligation

Advance Authorisation Export-Obligation Monitoring

Advance Authorisation should be monitored monthly rather than reviewed only after expiry.

Our monitoring dashboard can track:

Authorisation number

Issue date

Import-validity date

EO expiry date

Extended date

Permitted inputs

Imported quantity

Imported CIF value

Balance import entitlement

Export product

Required export quantity

Required FOB value

Shipping Bills

eBRC

Value addition

Supporting manufacturer

Invalidation

ARO

Appendix 4H records

Unutilised inputs

Closure readiness

Deliverables

Authorisation-wise MIS

Bill of Entry reconciliation

Shipping Bill reconciliation

eBRC mapping

Quantity-fulfilment report

Value-fulfilment report

Value-addition report

Import and EO expiry alerts

Input-consumption report

EODC-readiness report

consumption

Appendix 4H Consumption Register

Advance Authorisation holders must keep proper records. This covers duty-free inputs, whether imported or bought locally. It also covers consumption, production, exports, and balance.

Appendix 4H is the set register for this. It tracks consumption and stock of inputs under Advance Authorisation and DFIA.

Appendix 4H records can include:

Input description

Quantity imported

Quantity domestically procured

Bill of Entry

Purchase invoice

Export product

Quantity manufactured

Quantity exported

Input consumed

Wastage

Input balance

Excess input

Duty payment

Remarks

Records should reconcile with

Stock register

Production records

GST records

Bills of Entry

Shipping Bills

Export invoices

Authorisation quantities

closure

Advance Authorisation Closure and EODC

First, fulfil the export obligation. Then meet the rules on input use. After that, apply for closure or redemption. The online closure form is ANF 4F.

ANF 4F records:

Authorisation details

Export-obligation period

Export products

Shipping Bills

Export quantities and values

eBRC realisation

Imports

Bills of Entry

Excess imports

Duty and interest payments

Other regularisation amounts

Core documents and information

Documents Required for EODC

Advance Authorisation

Condition sheet

Amendments

Import-validity extensions

EO extensions

SION or approved norms

Bills of Entry

Import statement

Shipping Bills

Export statement

Export invoices

eBRC or FIRC

Appendix 4H

Production records

Consumption records

Supporting-manufacturer information

Invalidation or ARO records

Duty-payment challans

Interest-payment evidence

CA, CMA or professional certificate where applicable

ANF 4F information

Deemed-export documents, where applicable

Third-party export documentation

ANF 4F specifically calls for export and import statements, eBRC or realisation evidence and duty or interest payment details.

Our Process

Our EODC Process

Clubbing of Advance Authorisations

Two or more Advance Authorisations may be clubbed for closure where the applicable conditions are met.

Clubbing may be useful where:

The DGFT portal provides a separate Clubbing and Closure of Advance Authorisation service requiring selection of two or more authorisations.

Clubbing review includes

Clubbing cannot be assumed to be available merely because the authorisations belong to the same IEC.

Regularisation of Export-Obligation Default

Where the exporter has not fulfilled the complete obligation, the case may require regularisation.

Potential action can include:

ANF 4F includes fields for Customs duty, interest, composition fees and other payments connected with regularisation.

Important warning

Payment of duty and interest does not automatically prevent Customs or DGFT from taking other action where fraud, misdeclaration or another violation is involved.

Surrender of an Advance Authorisation

An issued authorisation may be surrendered through the Advance Authorisation closure process.

Surrender is most straightforward where:

Where imports have already been made, the case generally requires reconciliation and regularisation rather than simple cancellation.

Manual EODC Status Update

Older authorisations may already have been redeemed but continue to show as active in the DGFT system.

DGFT provides a Manual EODC Status Update service where the exporter can:

Troubleshooting

Common Advance Authorisation Problems

Wrong SION selected

The exporter selects a SION that does not accurately describe the exported product. Possible consequences: Input rejection, Lower entitlement, Customs query, Value-addition issue, EODC deficiency.

Our approach: We compare product description, technical characteristics, process and input structure before filing.

Input is not covered by SION

The exporter assumes an additional consumable or packing input is automatically eligible.

Our approach: We assess self-declaration, prior fixation or amendment rather than adding unsupported inputs.

Wastage claimed is too high

The proposed wastage may not be supported by SION, process records or industry practice.

Our approach: We prepare a production-based wastage justification.

Supporting manufacturer is missing

A merchant exporter applies without properly identifying the manufacturer.

Our approach: We verify the IEC profile, manufacturer premises, GSTIN, industrial registration and endorsement requirement.

Factory or branch is not visible in the application

DGFT application information is drawn from the IEC profile.

Our approach:We update the branch, GST, RCMC or industrial details before filing. DGFT’s FAQ directs applicants to modify the IEC where these details are blank.

Import validity expired

The inputs were not imported within the original 12-month period.

Our approach:We assess revalidation eligibility, imports already made, EO fulfilled and current policy-period rules.

Export obligation expired

The exporter did not complete exports within the prescribed period.

Our approach: We assess available extension, temporary policy relief, clubbing and regularisation.

Shipping Bills are not visible

Possible reasons include: Authorisation number missing, Wrong authorisation number, Wrong ICE, Customs transmission issue, Shipping Bill absent from repository, Non-EDI export.

Our approach: We verify the DGFT Bill Repository and use the available Customs-fetch or non-EDI addition process.

Bills of Entry are not visible

Possible reasons include: Customs transmission delay, Authorisation number mismatch, Port-registration issue, Non-EDI Bill of Entry, Incorrect branch or IEC.

Our approach: We retrieve or add the Bill of Entry through the available repository functionality.

eBRC is not linked

Exports may exist, but realisation details are not populating in closure or extension applications.

Our approach: We review: Bank reporting, IRM, eBRC generation, Shipping Bill mapping, Invoice mapping, DGFT repository data.

Actual imported quantity exceeds the norm

The exporter imported more input than was permitted relative to exports.

Our approach: We calculate the excess and coordinate duty and interest regularisation.

Export quantity is completed but value addition is short

Quantity fulfilment alone does not establish complete compliance.

Our approach: We separately calculate CIF value, FOB value and actual value addition.

Advance Authorisation number is absent from Shipping Bill

Exports may not automatically appear against the authorisation.

Our approach: We review contemporaneous documents, Customs amendment options and DGFT acceptance requirements. Inclusion cannot be guaranteed.

Input was sold or transferred

Duty-free inputs are subject to Actual User restrictions.

Our approach: We assess the quantity, use, duty exposure, interest and potential Customs consequences.

Appendix 4H was not maintained

The exporter cannot readily establish input consumption and stock.

Our approach:We reconstruct the register from Bills of Entry, purchases, production, exports and stock records, subject to data availability.

Customs bond remains open after EODC

DGFT may have issued EODC, but the Customs bond, LUT or Bank Guarantee remains active.

Our approach: We verify EODC transmission and coordinate the port-level cancellation and release process.

Why Dwarkadhish overseas

Why Choose Dwarkadhish Overseas?

Complete lifecycle support

Our help spans the full journey. This runs from eligibility and application through to monitoring, EODC, and Customs closure.

Input-output and SION review

Our service goes beyond filling in ANF 4A fields.

DGFT and Customs reconciliation

We match one set of records. Advance Authorisation quantities get checked against Bills of Entry, Shipping Bills, and realisation records.

Export-obligation monitoring

We flag possible shortfalls before expiry.

Technical and professional coordination

Where needed, we bring in Chartered Engineers, accountants, and production teams.

Legacy authorisation assistance

Old, expired, partly fulfilled, or system-mismatch cases can be checked separately.

Related Services

IEC Registration

Obtain or update the IEC required for DGFT applications.

Explore IEC Registration

RCMC Registration

Explore RCMC Registration

eBRC Generation

Generate and reconcile realisation records required for export-obligation closure.

Explore eBRC Services

EPCG Authorisation

Import eligible capital goods against an export obligation.

Explore EPCG Services

Certificate of Origin

Obtain preferential or non-preferential Certificates of Origin.

Explore Certificate of Origin

Duty Drawback

Review pending Drawback claims and Shipping Bill reconciliation.

Explore Duty Drawback Services

Export Compliance Outsourcing

Outsource ongoing DGFT, Customs, incentive and authorisation management.

Compliance Outsourcing

Client Experiences

What Our Clients Say

“Dwarkadhish Overseas supported us with our export documentation and compliance requirements. Their team was responsive and kept us informed throughout the process.”

Nishu Vishwas

[Company Name]

Service: Advance License

“We approached the team for our pending refund-related work. They reviewed the documents carefully and helped us understand the issues and required next steps.”

[Client Name]

[Company Name]

Service: IGST Refund Support

“The team assisted us with DGFT and Customs requirements in a professional and organised manner. Communication and follow-up were consistent.”

[Client Name]

[Company Name]

Service: Export Compliance Support

Pan India

Advance Authorisation Services Across India

Dwarkadhish Overseas gives remote and location-specific Advance Authorisation help across India.

Mumbai

Delhi NCR

Bengaluru

Chennai

Ahmedabad

Surat

Hyderabad

Kolkata

Pune

Indore

Ludhiana

Tiruppur

Rajkot

Coimbatore

Jaipur

Kochi

Vadodara

Noida

Gurugram

Keep these as location references for now, not thin city pages. Create city pages only where you can include:

Local export industries

Relevant Customs port or ICD

Genuine local case study

Location-specific compliance context

Original FAQs

Verified service workflow

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the full form of Advance Authorisation?

Advance Authorisation is one thing. It is the formal DGFT term for the scheme. Most people call this scheme Advance Licence.

2. Is Advance Licence still valid terminology?

People still widely use “Advance Licence.” But the current official term is Advance Authorisation.

3. What is the main benefit?

You may import eligible inputs duty-free. This applies once you meet the set export obligation.

4. Who can apply?

Manufacturer exporters, and merchant exporters tied to supporting manufacturers, can apply.

5. Which inputs are eligible?

Eligible inputs also include fuel, oil, or catalysts used up in production.

6. What is SION?

SION is the Standard Input Output Norm. It sets input quantities for a given export product.

7. How long is the authorisation valid for imports?

The standard import-validity period is 12 months from issue.

8. What is the standard export-obligation period?

It is normally 18 months from the Advance Authorisation issue date.

9. What is EODC?

EODC stands for the Export Obligation Discharge Certificate. DGFT issues it after you fulfil or regularise your obligation.

10. Why are my Shipping Bills not appearing in DGFT?

The correct Advance Authorisation number may be missing. Or the entry may not appear in the DGFT Bill Repository.

Apply, Manage or Close Your Advance Authorisation

Full Name

Company Name

Phone Number

Email Address

IEC Number

GSTIN

RCMC Number

Applicant Type

Type of Requirement

Export Product

Input Details

Proposed CIF Value

Proposed FOB Value

SION Number

Existing Authorisation Number

Issue Date

Import Validity

EO Expiry Date

Current EO Fulfilment

Current Status

Brief Requirement

Upload Export Order

Upload Input-Output Statement

Upload Existing Authorisation

Upload Bills of Entry

Upload Shipping Bills

Upload eBRC Statement

Upload Appendix 4H

Upload DGFT

I agree to be contacted by Dwarkadhish Overseas regarding my enquiry

DGFT Services

Customs Services

Advance Authorisation and Advance Licence Services in India

What Is Advance Authorisation?

Your inputs must match an approved list

You must add enough value to the goods

You must be the actual user of the goods

You must import and export on time

There are caps on product type and amount

You must keep good records

You must hit your export goal

You must close the file at the end

Advance Licence Versus Advance Authorisation