Tel: 0129-4001010 Phone: +91 730 321 5033
Email: cs@absoluteveritas.com
Official DGFT Notifications: SEZ BIS/QCO Import Exemption (71/2023 & 20/2026-27)
Table of Content
This page hosts the three official DGFT documents behind the BIS/QCO import exemption update for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units and Developers — the original 2024 notification that introduced the exemption, the June 2026 amendment that significantly widened its scope, and Appendix 2Y, which lists the specific Ministries whose QCOs fall under this exemption mechanism. Enabling Provisions for Import of Inputs Subject to Mandatory QCOs by Advance Authorisation Holders, EOU, and SEZ Applicability of QCOs/BIS Requirements on Imports by SEZ Units and Developers — Amendment in Para 2.03(A)(iii) of FTP 2023 Appendix 2Y — Ministries/Departments Whose QCOs Are Exempted Under DGFT Framework — Referred under Para 2.03(c) of FTP 2023, updated as on 15 March 2025 As of the latest update, six Ministries/Departments are covered: Ministry of Steel, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Mines, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), and Ministry of Heavy Industries. Absolute Veritas is a leading Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) consultancy with over 15 years of expertise, headquartered in New Delhi, India. We help manufacturers, importers, SEZ units, and export-oriented businesses navigate BIS/QCO compliance and India's trade policy framework — including determining exactly when a DGFT exemption applies and what's required once goods move into the domestic market. Contact us today at cs@absoluteveritas.com for expert guidance on BIS/QCO compliance for SEZ, EOU, and export-oriented operations. Dated 11 March 2024, it introduced Para 2.03A into FTP 2023, giving Advance Authorisation holders, EOUs, and SEZ Units relief from mandatory QCO compliance for inputs required for export production. Dated 2 June 2026, it amends Para 2.03A(iii) to widen the exemption for SEZ Units and Developers, extending it to all permissible goods — including capital goods, spares, and consumables — for authorised SEZ operations, not just export-production inputs. Appendix 2Y lists the Ministries and Departments whose QCOs are covered by this DGFT exemption mechanism — currently Steel, DPIIT, Textiles, Mines, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and Heavy Industries. Yes. Each notification and Appendix 2Y can be viewed or downloaded directly using the buttons provided above. Our companion article, "DGFT Widens BIS/QCO Import Exemption for SEZ Units and Developers (2026)," breaks down what's exempt, what still needs compliance, and what SEZ businesses should do next. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and its Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) play a vital role in ensuring the quality... The BIS CRS (Bureau of Indian Standards/Compulsory Registration Scheme) outlines mandatory requirements for both domestic... Under the BIS-CRS Labelling Scheme, which currently covers 78 mandatory product categories, all products must receive... As per recent notification dated 12th March 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has... The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released revised implementation guidelines for IS 61683, the Indian Standard... The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released updated implementation guidelines for IS 16270:2023, a crucial standard...
For a full explanation of what these notifications mean in practice — including what's exempt, what still requires compliance, and what SEZ businesses should do next — see our complete guideNotification No. 71/2023 — Dated 11 March 2024
Notification No. 20/2026-27 — Dated 2 June 2026
Appendix 2Y — List of Covered Ministries
About Absolute Veritas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is DGFT Notification No. 71/2023?
What did Notification No. 20/2026-27 change?
What is Appendix 2Y?
Can I download all three documents from this page?
Where can I find a full explanation of these notifications?
BIS BLOGS
.png)
Guide to BIS CRS Registration for Products in India
.png)
BIS Registration Renewal: A Complete Guide
BIS CRS Labelling Guidelines
%20Compliance%20Needed%20for%20Analog%20CCTV%20Cameras.png)
No Essential Requirement Compliance Needed for Analog CCTV Cameras
Updated BIS Implementation Guidelines for IS 61683 Standard
BIS Implements IS 16270 for Solar PV Batteries
Share this Post
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Facebook
CONTACT US
❮
