India Imposes Port Restrictions on Imports of Certain Goods from Bangladesh [Read Notification]

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), issued Notification No. 24/2025-DGFT dated 11 August 2025, announcing new restrictions on the import of certain goods from Bangladesh. The notification has been issued under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, and takes immediate effect.

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According to the notification, imports of four jute-related products from Bangladesh will now be allowed to enter India only through the Nhava Sheva Seaport in Maharashtra.

The products are:

1. HS Code 531090 – Bleached and unbleached woven fabrics of jute or other textile base.
2. HS Code 560890 – Twine, cordage, rope, etc., of jute.
3. HS Code 560790 – Twine, cordage, rope, and cables.
4. HS Code 630510 – Sacks and bags of jute.

The DGFT explained that these changes are an extension of earlier measures notified on 17 May 2025 and 27 June 2025, which had already placed similar port restrictions on other categories of imports from Bangladesh. Under the new rules, the listed jute products will no longer be permitted entry through any of the land ports along the India-Bangladesh border. Instead, all shipments of these goods must be routed exclusively through Nhava Sheva Seaport.

Officials pointed out that the rest of the provisions from the previous notification of 27 June 2025 remain unchanged. This means other restricted items already covered under that order will continue to face the same entry-point limitations.

This notification is now in force, and both importers and exporters are required to follow the new port restrictions to avoid any disruption in trade.

Background

On 17 May 2025, DGFT had restricted the entry of several products from Bangladesh, including ready-made garments, certain processed foods, cotton waste, plastic goods, and wooden furniture, allowing them only through specific seaports. Then, on 27 June 2025, DGFT widened the scope to cover more jute and flax products, banning their import through land ports and allowing them only via Nhava Sheva Seaport.

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