October 10, 2026
DGFT has tightened the rules on Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates, the paperwork many food and agri exports need before they can ship, requiring agencies to issue them within two days of inspection. For exporters of spices, pulses and grains, it's a procedural change worth building into shipment timelines.
On 16 September 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Trade Notice No. 28/2026-27, amending an earlier notice (No. 22/2026-27, dated 25 August 2026) that governs how Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates (PSICs) are generated and issued. For manufacturers, merchant exporters and trading houses shipping food, agricultural and several other regulated commodities out of India, this is a small procedural change with a real operational consequence: inspection agencies must now generate and issue a PSIC within two days of the inspection date, and the certificate must be uploaded from the same location or country where the inspection took place.
A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate confirms that a consignment has been physically examined before dispatch and meets the applicable quality, safety and contractual standards. In India, PSICs are issued by recognised Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PSIAs) operating under the framework of the Export Inspection Council, under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963. More than 1,000 commodity categories are subject to mandatory pre-shipment inspection, and food and agricultural products, including spices, pulses, cereals and other processed foods, form one of the largest groups on that list. For many buyers, especially in markets with strict food-safety import regimes, a valid PSIC is as essential to customs clearance and letter-of-credit compliance as the commercial invoice itself.
Trade Notice 22/2026-27 of 25 August 2026 had restricted PSIC generation strictly to the date of inspection; if an agency missed that window for any reason, the system would not let them issue the certificate later. That rigidity created a backlog of inspections that had been completed but could not be certified. The 16 September notice addressed the immediate backlog with a one-time, seven-day relaxation allowing PSIAs to clear pending certificates for inspections carried out before 25 August 2026. More importantly for the longer term, it replaced the single-day window with a standing two-day rule: PSIAs must now generate and issue the PSIC within two days of the inspection, and the upload must originate from the same geography where the inspection took place.
For exporters, the practical effect is a tighter, more predictable paperwork window rather than a new inspection requirement; the inspection itself hasn't changed, only how quickly the paper trail has to follow it. Shipments of commodities that routinely require PSICs, such as spices and pulses, should build this two-day certification window into booking and loading schedules rather than assume same-day paperwork turnaround. It's also worth confirming upfront which inspection location a PSIA will use, since the certificate now has to be issued from that same location — a detail that's easy to overlook until a shipment is already booked.
Our Turmeric Powder is finely ground from carefully selected Indian turmeric fingers and processed to deliver a vibrant natural colour, characteristic aroma and consistent flavour. Available in food-grade and export-quality specifications, our turmeric powder is suitable for spice manufacturers, food processors, wholesalers, distributors and international buyers. Sourced from established turmeric-growing regions of India, our product can be supplied in different grades and specifications based on curcumin content, colour, mesh size, moisture and buyer requirements.
Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas), also known as Arhar Dal or Tur Dal, is a widely consumed pulse obtained from Cajanus cajan. It is valued for its mild nutty flavour, creamy texture after cooking, and versatility in traditional and modern food preparations. Sourced from selected producing regions of India and processed under controlled conditions, our Toor Dal is available in whole and split forms, with polished and unpolished options to meet different market requirements. It is suitable for bulk food distribution, retail packing, restaurants, catering, foodservice and international pulse markets.
Ready to source from India?
Tell us what you need — our export team will get back to you with pricing and lead time.
Talk to Our Export Team