What is the difference between Restricted Export Licence (REX) and Open General Licence (OGL)?

OGL permits exports without prior DGFT approval; exporters simply declare goods under OGL Schedule while filing Shipping Bills. REX requires explicit pre-shipment approval from DGFT on each item/consignment basis. All restricted items (minerals, certain agricultural products, chemicals, dual-use technologies) mandate REX under FTDR Rules 2015. Failure to obtain REX results in customs seizure, 100% penalty duty, and IEC suspension.

How long is a Restricted Export Licence valid?

REX is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance as per DGFT standard practice. The licence permits multiple shipments of the approved commodity within the validity period and quantity limits (if prescribed). Renewal applications filed 30 days before expiry are typically approved within 7 days. You must apply for fresh REX if the commodity changes or the licence lapses.

Which commodities require REX under current FTP 2023-28?

Restricted items include: onions, pulses, and basmati rice (during shortage periods, via APEDA); bulk pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients; seafood and marine products (CITES-listed species via MPEDA); iron ore, rare earths, and certain minerals; gemstones; leather and leather products; chemicals and specialty chemicals; precision instruments and dual-use technologies; and endangered species derivatives. Refer to DGFT's Schedule 1 for the complete updated list.

What happens if I export restricted items without REX?

Customs authorities will seize the shipment under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962. You face duty penalty equal to 100% of transaction value, warehouse charges, and financial penalties of ₹5-10 lakh (first offense) or ₹20+ lakh (repeat). Your IEC may be suspended for 6-12 months or permanently cancelled. Criminal prosecution under FTDR Act Section 17 can impose up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹25 lakh fine for hazardous exports.

Can I modify the REX details (commodity, quantity, or destination) after approval?

No. Any changes to approved commodity, destination country, quantity, or specifications require fresh DGFT written permission. Filing a Shipping Bill with unauthorized modifications triggers customs examination and seizure risk. Always apply for amended REX or a new licence before deviating from the original approval. DGFT typically processes amendment requests within 7-10 days.

Restricted Export Licence

Get expert guidance on Restricted Export Licence (REX) from DGFT India. Understand eligibility, application process, compliance, and sector-specific requirements for compliant exports.

Verify commodity classification (8-digit HS code) and confirm restricted status on DGFT official list under Schedule 1, FTDR Rules 2015
Ensure IEC validity, clean compliance record, and obtain required sectoral certifications (APEDA, MPEDA, FSSAI, WHO-GMP, etc.) from relevant Export Promotion Councils
Prepare complete documentation package: Form REX-1, IEC copy, audited balance sheet, board resolution, product proforma invoice, and EPC membership proof
Submit REX application through ICEGATE portal with all attachments; DGFT sends acknowledgment within 24 hours via registered email
Track application status on ICEGATE dashboard; respond to DGFT queries (if any) within 7 days; receive REX approval electronically (typically 15-30 days)

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What is Restricted Export Licence?

A Restricted Export Licence (REX) is an authorization issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (FTDR Act) and the Foreign Trade Policy 2023-28 to permit exports of items classified as restricted by the Government of India. Unlike freely exportable items, restricted items require explicit permission before shipment, ensuring compliance with national security, environmental, agricultural, and strategic interests.

The REX differs from the Open General Licence (OGL) in that it requires pre-shipment approval on an item-by-item or consignment-by-consignment basis. DGFT maintains a dynamic list of restricted items under Schedule 1 of the FTDR Rules, 2015, which includes certain minerals, chemicals, agricultural produce, endangered species, and dual-use technologies. The licence validates that your export meets all regulatory conditions before cargo release by customs authorities.

Pricing

Package	Price	Details
Standard	On request	Including document prep

Process

📋
Verify commodity classification (8-digit HS code) and confirm restricted status on DGFT official list under Schedule 1, FTDR Rules 2015
🔍
Ensure IEC validity, clean compliance record, and obtain required sectoral certifications (APEDA, MPEDA, FSSAI, WHO-GMP, etc.) from relevant Export Promotion Councils
📝
Prepare complete documentation package: Form REX-1, IEC copy, audited balance sheet, board resolution, product proforma invoice, and EPC membership proof
✅
Submit REX application through ICEGATE portal with all attachments; DGFT sends acknowledgment within 24 hours via registered email
📤
Track application status on ICEGATE dashboard; respond to DGFT queries (if any) within 7 days; receive REX approval electronically (typically 15-30 days)

Documents Required

Original IEC certificate copy (issued by CBIC within 12 months)
Audited balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement for preceding financial year
Board resolution/authorization letter for export (dated within 90 days)
Sectoral certification (APEDA for agricultural, MPEDA for seafood, FSSAI for food, WHO-GMP for pharma, DGFT chemical certificate for chemicals)
Proforma invoice detailing commodity specifications, HS code (8-digit), quantity, unit value, and destination country
Export Promotion Council membership/recognition letter (latest within 6 months)

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Restricted Export Licence

Get expert guidance on Restricted Export Licence (REX) from DGFT India. Understand eligibility, application process, compliance, and sector-specific requirements for compliant exports.

Verify commodity classification (8-digit HS code) and confirm restricted status on DGFT official list under Schedule 1, FTDR Rules 2015

Ensure IEC validity, clean compliance record, and obtain required sectoral certifications (APEDA, MPEDA, FSSAI, WHO-GMP, etc.) from relevant Export Promotion Councils

Prepare complete documentation package: Form REX-1, IEC copy, audited balance sheet, board resolution, product proforma invoice, and EPC membership proof

Submit REX application through ICEGATE portal with all attachments; DGFT sends acknowledgment within 24 hours via registered email

Track application status on ICEGATE dashboard; respond to DGFT queries (if any) within 7 days; receive REX approval electronically (typically 15-30 days)

Google VerifiedBusiness

500+Export Clients Served

End-to-EndEXIM Support

What is Restricted Export Licence?

Package

Price

Details

Standard

On request

Including document prep

Process

📋

Verify commodity classification (8-digit HS code) and confirm restricted status on DGFT official list under Schedule 1, FTDR Rules 2015

🔍

Ensure IEC validity, clean compliance record, and obtain required sectoral certifications (APEDA, MPEDA, FSSAI, WHO-GMP, etc.) from relevant Export Promotion Councils

📝

Prepare complete documentation package: Form REX-1, IEC copy, audited balance sheet, board resolution, product proforma invoice, and EPC membership proof

✅

Submit REX application through ICEGATE portal with all attachments; DGFT sends acknowledgment within 24 hours via registered email

📤

Track application status on ICEGATE dashboard; respond to DGFT queries (if any) within 7 days; receive REX approval electronically (typically 15-30 days)

Documents Required

Original IEC certificate copy (issued by CBIC within 12 months)

Audited balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement for preceding financial year

Board resolution/authorization letter for export (dated within 90 days)

Sectoral certification (APEDA for agricultural, MPEDA for seafood, FSSAI for food, WHO-GMP for pharma, DGFT chemical certificate for chemicals)

Proforma invoice detailing commodity specifications, HS code (8-digit), quantity, unit value, and destination country

Export Promotion Council membership/recognition letter (latest within 6 months)

Frequently Asked Questions