DGFT Public Notice No. 44/2025-26 Dt. 16.01.2026: Export of Wheat Flour & Related Products under HS Code 1101 (Export Perspective)

January 23, 2026

India’s export policy for wheat flour and related products under HS Code 1101 continues to remain “Prohibited”. However, the Government has now permitted exports to the extent of 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes (5 LMT = 500,000 MT) under an Export Authorisation issued by DGFT, subject to specific modalities notified via DGFT Public Notice No. 44/2025-26 dated 16.01.2026. 

From an exporter’s point of view, this update matters because it creates a quantitative window (quota-based opportunity) to execute confirmed overseas orders

Quick Snapshot for Exporters (HS 1101)

• Policy status: Export under HS 1101 remains Prohibited, except export up to 5 LMT permitted under DGFT Export Authorisation. 
• Products covered: Wheat or Meslin Flour (Atta), Maida, Samolina (Ravi/Sirgi), Wholemeal Atta and resultant atta.
• Application mode: Online only on DGFT portal (Export Management System → License for Restricted Exports).
• Allocation authority: Special Exim Facilitation Committee (EFC) (meets ordinarily once every month).
• Minimum quantity: Applications for < 2,500 MT will not be considered.
• Key compliance: Landing certificate to be submitted within 30 days of completion of export (to the specified email).

What Exactly Changed: DGFT Notification No. 55/2025-26 + Public Notice No. 44/2025-26

1) DGFT Notification No. 55/2025-26 (Dated 16.01.2026)

The Notification amends the export policy of items under HS Code 1101 and states:

• Export remains “Prohibited”; however
• Export up to 5 LMT of wheat flour and related products under HS 1101 is allowed, over and above existing policy conditions, under Export Authorisation issued by DGFT, subject to modalities notified separately via Public Notice. 

2) DGFT Public Notice No. 44/2025-26 (Dated 16.01.2026)

This Public Notice lays down the modalities for eligibility, submission, processing, allocation, and reporting for issuing export authorisations under HS 1101. 

Products Covered Under HS Code 1101 (Wheat Flour & Related Products)

The permitted quota window under HS 1101 covers:

• Wheat or Meslin Flour (Atta)
• Maida
• Samolina (Ravi/Sirgi)
• Wholemeal Atta
• Resultant atta

Why This Matters to Exporters

Because exports under HS 1101 are still classified as Prohibited, any shipment without the DGFT Export Authorisation (and within the allocated quota) risks non-compliance with export policy. The 5 LMT window is therefore a controlled export opportunity—particularly relevant for:

• Flour mills/processing units planning bulk shipments
• Merchant exporters holding confirmed orders and tying up with supporting manufacturers

Eligibility for Exporters Under Public Notice 44/2025-26

As per DGFT Public Notice No. 44/2025-26, eligible categories include:

1) Manufacturer Exporters (Flour mills/processing units)

• Flour mills/processing units having valid IEC and FSSAI licence for manufacture of HS 1101 products.

2) Merchant Exporters

• Merchant exporters having valid IEC and FSSAI licence, along with valid tie-ups/supply agreements with flour mills acting as supporting manufacturer(s).

Key Features & Benefits for Exporters (Export Perspective)

Here’s what makes this DGFT update practically useful—without overpromising:

Key features

• Defined export quota: 5 LMT total quota window for HS 1101 items through DGFT authorisation.
• Online-only processing: Applications are filed online via DGFT’s Export Management System.
• Monthly allocation cycle: The Special EFC ordinarily meets once every month to examine applications.
• Six-month licence validity: Authorisation is valid for six months from issue (extension may be considered case-by-case by Special EFC).
• Non-transferable licences: Authorisations are strictly non-transferable and must be used by the allottee IEC holder.

Practical benefits (how exporters can leverage it)

• Ability to execute confirmed export orders/contracts legally within the quota window.
• Transparent decision factors: EFC considers previous export history, processing capacity, and existence of valid contracts.
• A structured method for compliance: post-export reporting via landing certificate submission within a defined timeline.

Step-by-Step Procedure: How to Apply for DGFT Export Authorisation (HS Code 1101)

DGFT has specified that applications must be filed online through the DGFT portal path below.

Application Process (as per Public Notice 44/2025-26)

1. Confirm product & HS classification
   • Ensure your product falls under HS Code 1101 (Atta/Maida/Samolina/Wholemeal/Resultant atta).
2. Check your exporter category
   • Manufacturer exporter(Flour mills/processing units) / Merchant exporter 
3. Ensure eligibility & platform listing requirement
   • If eligible for listing on “Source from India” on the Trade Connect ePlatform (trade.gov.in), ensure you are listed, failing which the application will not be considered for allocation.
   • Note: DGFT describes “Source from India” as a key Trade Connect feature for international buyers to discover Indian exporters. (DGFT)
4. Prepare the complete documentation set
   • Compile IEC/FSSAI details, capacity/production details, contracts, past export performance, CA turnover certificate, and other required declarations (full checklist given below).
   •  
5. File online application on DGFT portal
   • Navigate: DGFT website → Services → Export Management Systems → License for Restricted Exports.
6. Apply within the notified time window
   • First set: 21 Jan 2026 to 31 Jan 2026
   • Thereafter: Last ten days of each month (until quota availability lasts).
7. Allocation decision by Special EFC
   • EFC examines applications and allocates/re-allocates quantity based on stated criteria.
8. Receive Export Authorisation & execute shipments
   • Licence validity: six months from issue (extension case-by-case by Special EFC).
9. Post-export reporting
   • Submit landing certificate within 30 days of completion of export to: [email protected].

Documents Required for DGFT HS 1101 Export Authorisation 

As per the Public Notice, documents/details to be submitted inter alia at the time of filing include:

1. Valid IEC
2. Category of exporter (manufacturer exporter / merchant exporter / EOU / SEZ / AA holder)
3. Details of Status Holder Certificate / AEO (If Available)
4. Installed capacity and average monthly production
   • For manufacturer exporter or supporting manufacturer(s), as applicable
5. FSSAI licence details
   • Manufacturer exporter / supporting manufacturer(s), as applicable
   • Merchant exporter, wherever applicable
6. Past export performance
   • Including in the three years prior to the financial year in which the item was prohibited, wherever available
7. Quantity details
   • Item-wise and country-wise quantity applied, port(s) of loading, and proposed shipment schedule
8. Confirmed export orders/contracts (wherever available)
9. Self-declaration
   • Availability of wheat (domestic), no diversion from PDS/stock-limited channels, and compliance with all applicable laws
10. CA certificate
    • Certifying overall turnover of the preceding five financial years, wherever applicable

Compliance Rules Exporters Must Not Miss

1) Online-only submission (no email/post)

• Deficient applications or applications received through email or post will not be considered.

2) “Source from India” listing requirement (where eligible)

• Applicants eligible for listing must ensure they are listed on the platform; otherwise, the application will not be considered for allocation.

3) Misdeclaration consequences

• In case of any misdeclaration, the applicant shall not be considered for allocation for the next three years.

4) Minimum application quantity

• Applications for export quantities less than 2,500 MT shall not be considered.

5) Domestic wheat condition (scope of modalities)

• Modalities apply to exports manufactured in India using “domestic wheat” under the quantitative window created by the Notification.

6) Non-transferability

• Authorisations are strictly non-transferable and must be used by the allottee IEC holder only.

7) Landing certificate reporting

• Submit landing certificate within 30 days of completion of export to [email protected].

Allocation & Re-allocation: How Special EFC Decides Your Quota

A Special Exim Facilitation Committee (EFC) decides the quantity permitted against each application and ordinarily meets once every month.

While examining applications, the EFC considers:

• Previous export history of the applicant
• Processing capacity of manufacturer exporter/supporting manufacturer(s)
• Existence of valid contracts between merchant exporter and supporting manufacturer(s)

Re-allocation power: The EFC may also re-allocate quantity from one IEC holder to another applicant based on periodic review of performance.

Advantages for Exporters (Business & Execution Benefits)

Even though this is not a blanket “free export” permission, exporters can gain meaningful operational advantages:

• Legally executable channel for HS 1101 exports within a defined national quota.
• Better shipment planning because filing windows are clearly stated (end-of-month cycle after the initial January window).
• Encourages contract-backed exports (confirmed orders/contracts are a stated document requirement wherever available).
• Transparent evaluation signals (export history, capacity, contracts), supporting more disciplined export readiness.

FAQs 

1) Is export of wheat flour (HS Code 1101) now “Free”?

No. Export under HS Code 1101 continues to remain “Prohibited”, except export up to 5 LMT permitted under DGFT Export Authorisation subject to prescribed modalities.

2) What is the permitted export quota under this DGFT update?

Exports are permitted to the extent of 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes (5 LMT) for wheat flour and related products under HS 1101 under Export Authorisation.

3) Which products are covered under HS Code 1101 in this notification?

Wheat or Meslin Flour (Atta), Maida, Samolina (Ravi/Sirgi), Wholemeal Atta and resultant atta.

4) Who can apply for the export authorisation?

Eligible categories include manufacturer exporters (flour mills/processing units), merchant exporters with tie-ups/supply agreements with supporting manufacturers.

5) Where do exporters apply for the licence online?

Applicants may apply online on DGFT website through: Services → Export Management Systems → License for Restricted Exports.

6) When can exporters file applications?

First window: 21.01.2026 to 31.01.2026. Thereafter, applications are invited during the last ten days of each month until quota is available.

7) What is the validity of the Export Authorisation?

The Export Authorisation is valid for six months from the date of issue. Extension requests may be considered by the Special EFC on a case-by-case basis.

8) Is the authorisation transferable to another exporter/IEC?

No. The authorisation is strictly non-transferable and must be used by the allottee IEC holder only.

9) What is the minimum quantity required for an application to be considered?

Applications for quantities less than 2,500 MT will not be considered for allocation.

10) What happens if an application is submitted by email or post?

Applications received through email or post (or deficient applications) will not be considered.

11) What is the “Source from India” requirement in the Public Notice?

The Public Notice states that applicants eligible for listing on the ‘Source from India’ facility on Trade Connect must ensure they are listed; otherwise, the application will not be considered for allocation.

12) What is the consequence of misdeclaration in the application?

In case of misdeclaration, the applicant shall not be considered for any allocation for the next three years.

13) How is quota allocation decided?

Allocation is decided by a Special EFC, which considers previous export history, processing capacity, and existence of valid contracts (among stated criteria).

14) Is there any post-export reporting requirement?

Yes. Exporters must submit the landing certificate within 30 days of completion of export of the consignment (within allocated quota) to [email protected].

Glossary of Key Terms & Short Forms

• DGFT: Directorate General of Foreign Trade
• FTP 2023: Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 (powers referenced in Public Notice)
• FT(D&R) Act, 1992: Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (powers referenced in Notification)
• ITC(HS): Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System)
• HS Code 1101: Classification covering wheat flour and related products listed above
• IEC: Importer Exporter Code (mandatory document)
• FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (licence details required)
• AEO: Authorised Economic Operator (details asked as per Public Notice)
• EFC: Exim Facilitation Committee (Special EFC for allocation/re-allocation)
• EOU: Export Oriented Unit
• SEZ: Special Economic Zone
• AA: Advance Authorisation
• LMT: Lakh Metric Tonnes (5 LMT = 500,000 MT)
• MT: Metric Tonnes
• PDS: Public Distribution System (self-declaration includes “no diversion from PDS/stock-limited channels”)

Conclusion 

The DGFT update via Notification No. 55/2025-26 and Public Notice No. 44/2025-26 opens a quota-based pathway for exports of wheat flour and related products under HS Code 1101—but only through DGFT Export Authorisation, with strict documentation, eligibility, and reporting requirements.

How STAR GROUP can help exporters avail this opportunity efficiently

STAR GROUP can support exporters by:

• Eligibility & readiness check (manufacturer/merchant Exporter category mapping as per Public Notice)
• Documentation checklist & compilation (IEC, FSSAI, capacity details, contracts, CA certificate, declarations)
• Application assistance on DGFT portal (online submission under “License for Restricted Exports”)
• Post-export compliance support, including tracking the landing certificate submission within 30 days to the notified email id

If you want, share your exporter category (manufacturer/merchant) and your planned quantity/countries, and we can structure a document-ready checklist aligned to DGFT’s stated requirements.

Source Documents Used (Official / DGFT)

• DGFT Public Notice No. 44/2025-26 Dt. 16.01.2026
• DGFT Notification No. 55/2025-26 Dt. 16.01.2026