DGFT Allows Free Export of Wheat Flour and Allied Products Under HS Code 11010000

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has significantly liberalised the export regime for wheat flour and closely related products. Vide Notification No. 34/2026-27-DGFT dated 24th August 2026, the Central Government has reclassified exports under ITC (HS) Code 11010000 from a “Prohibited” category to “Free”.

This change, brought in under the legal framework of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, takes effect immediately and has direct implications for exporters dealing in wheat flour and similar goods.

Statutory powers invoked

The notification explicitly relies on the following enabling provisions:

  • Section 5 read with Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (No. 22 of 1992), as amended
  • Para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023

Under these provisions:

  • Section 3 empowers the Central Government to make provisions relating to imports and exports.
  • Section 5 authorises the Government to formulate and amend the export and import policy.
  • Paras 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, provide the operational framework for notifying such policy changes.

In exercise of these powers, the Government has altered the export status of specified products classified under Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Export Policy.

Products Covered by the Policy Change

HS Code and description

The notification focuses specifically on the following classification:

  • ITC (HS) Code: 11010000
    Description:
    • Wheat or Meslin Flour (Atta)
    • Maida
    • Samolina (Rava / Sirgi)
    • Wholemeal atta
    • Resultant atta

These items, which form a vital part of the cereal-based product basket, were previously under a stringent export regime.

Existing vs revised policy status

The core amendment made by the notification can be summarised as follows:

ITC (HS) Code 11010000
Existing Export Policy: Prohibited
Revised Export Policy: Free

This indicates that the earlier complete export ban on these products has been lifted, and they can now be exported freely, subject to any other applicable laws and regulations.

Nature and Effect of “Free” Export Policy

Meaning of “Free” in export context

When exports are categorised as “Free” under the ITC (HS) framework:

  • No specific quantitative restrictions or prohibitions are imposed on the export of the specified items under the Foreign Trade Policy.
  • Exporters are generally allowed to freely export these goods without the need for special export permissions under DGFT’s export policy, unless other sectoral laws or conditions apply.

However, a “Free” status does not override:

  • Any other law in force (such as food safety norms, quality standards, or customs requirements), or
  • Any separate notification issued under other statutes.

Immediate applicability