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DGFT · Foreign Trade Policy 2023
Aayaat Niryaat Forms (ANF)
The application forms behind every DGFT approval — IEC, authorisations, duty schemes and more. Here is the current set under FTP 2023, filed online, and prepared for you.
Filed online via the DGFT portal
Updated for FTP 2023
Kolkata trade team
What they are
The standard forms for every DGFT application
Aayaat Niryaat Forms — literally "import–export forms" — are the standardised application annexures to the Handbook of Procedures. Whenever you approach the Directorate General of Foreign Trade for something — an IEC, an Advance Authorisation, an EPCG licence, a duty-drawback claim — you apply on the relevant ANF.
Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (in force from 1 April 2023, with no fixed expiry), the appendices and ANFs were re-notified on 26 April 2023 and the whole process moved online. You no longer post a paper form to a regional office; you file on the DGFT portal against your IEC and sign digitally. Getting the right ANF, with the right supporting documents, is what separates a clean approval from months of queries.
Current status — read this first
What changed under FTP 2023
- Forms are filed online on the DGFT portal, not on paper
- Every application is linked to your IEC and digitally signed
- Appendices & ANFs were re-notified on 26 April 2023
- Several older scheme forms have been withdrawn (see below)
The current set
Aayaat Niryaat Forms, grouped by what you need
The ANFs are organised in numbered series. Below is the set in active use under FTP 2023 — expand any form to see who files it, why it matters, and the documents typically needed.
Official source. Each form below links to the DGFT Aayaat Niryaat Forms page — the authoritative, always-current versions, and where filing happens.
Open the DGFT forms listSeries 2
Registration, IEC & licences
ANF‑2AImporter Exporter Code (IEC) — issue / update
Who files itAnyone starting to import or export from India — the very first registration you need.
Why it mattersIssues the 10-digit code that legally enables cross-border trade and underpins every bank remittance and other DGFT service. Since November 2025 it also captures the importer/exporter profile (the former ANF-1A, now merged in), and is filed fully online (government fee ₹500).
Typical documentsPAN, Aadhaar or DSC of the signatory, proof of business address, and a cancelled cheque or bank certificate.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑2CRegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)
Who files itExporters seeking membership of an Export Promotion Council, commodity board or authority.
Why it mattersA prerequisite for many scheme benefits and authorisations, plus council support and market access.
Typical documentsIEC, PAN and the relevant council's membership details (filed as e-RCMC on the DGFT common portal).
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑2MImport of restricted items
Who files itImporters of goods listed as "Restricted" in the ITC(HS) schedule.
Why it mattersThe licence that legally permits importing an item that is otherwise restricted.
Typical documentsThe ITC(HS) code, item and quantity details, justification for the import, and IEC.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑2NExport licence for restricted items
Who files itExporters of goods on the "Restricted" export list.
Why it mattersAuthorisation to export controlled or restricted goods.
Typical documentsITC(HS) code, consignee and end-use details, and IEC.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
Series 4
Duty-exemption authorisations
ANF‑4AAdvance Authorisation (incl. annual requirement)
Who files itManufacturer or merchant exporters importing inputs used to make export goods.
Why it mattersAllows duty-free import of inputs physically incorporated in exports, against an export obligation — a significant working-capital saving.
Typical documentsInput–output details (SION or self-declared norms), the export order, and IEC/RCMC.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑4BFixation / revision of SION
Who files itExporters whose product has no Standard Input Output Norm, or where an existing norm needs revision.
Why it mattersFixes the input allowance on which Advance Authorisations are calculated.
Typical documentsTechnical input–output data and production process, certified by a Chartered Engineer or CA.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑4GDuty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA)
Who files itExporters wanting a transferable duty-exemption after completing exports.
Why it mattersGrants a transferable authorisation to import inputs duty-free once the export is done.
Typical documentsShipping bills, proof of export realisation, SION, and IEC.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
Series 5
Capital goods (EPCG)
ANF‑5AIssue of EPCG Authorisation
Who files itExporters importing capital goods (plant and machinery) for production.
Why it mattersImport capital goods at zero customs duty against an export obligation (typically six times the duty saved).
Typical documentsProforma invoice for the machinery, a Chartered Engineer nexus certificate, RCMC and IEC.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑5BRedemption of EPCG Authorisation
Who files itEPCG holders who have completed their export obligation.
Why it mattersCloses the authorisation and releases the bond or bank guarantee.
Typical documentsShipping bills, the EO-fulfilment statement, and the installation certificate.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑5CClubbing of EPCG Authorisations
Who files itHolders of more than one EPCG authorisation who want to combine their obligations.
Why it mattersConsolidates export obligations across authorisations for easier fulfilment.
Typical documentsThe authorisation details and consolidated export data.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
Series 6
EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP
ANF‑6ASet up a new unit or convert an existing one
Who files itBusinesses setting up — or converting an existing unit into — an Export Oriented Unit.
Why it mattersGrants the Letter of Permission to operate as an EOU, with duty-free procurement and related benefits.
Typical documentsA project report, projected exports, and company and IEC documents.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑6BExtension of Letter of Permission (LOP)
Who files itExisting EOUs whose Letter of Permission is due to lapse.
Why it mattersContinues your EOU status and its benefits.
Typical documentsPerformance data and the existing LOP.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
Series 7 & 10
Refunds & controlled items
ANF‑7ATED refund / duty drawback / brand-rate fixation
Who files itExporters and deemed exporters claiming refunds of terminal excise duty or duty drawback.
Why it mattersRecovers embedded duties and taxes on exported goods.
Typical documentsShipping bills, invoices, proof of duty paid, and bank realisation.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑7BInterest on delayed refund
Who files itClaimants whose eligible refund was delayed beyond the prescribed period.
Why it mattersClaims the statutory interest due on that delay.
Typical documentsThe original claim reference and details of the delay.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑10AExport of SCOMET (controlled) items
Who files itExporters of controlled "SCOMET" dual-use, munitions or technology items.
Why it mattersThe authorisation required to legally export controlled items.
Typical documentsEnd-user certificate, technical specifications, the SCOMET category, and the purchase order.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
ANF‑10FRevalidation of a SCOMET authorisation
Who files itSCOMET authorisation holders needing more time.
Why it mattersExtends the validity of an existing authorisation.
Typical documentsThe original authorisation and justification for the extension.
Open on the DGFT portal ↗
How it works
From the right form to an approval
ANF filing is procedural, but the details are unforgiving — a wrong annexure or a missing document restarts the clock. Here's the path, handled end-to-end.
- Identify the right ANFWe map what you're trying to achieve to the correct form and its supporting documents.
- Confirm your IEC & DSCEvery application runs against a valid IEC and a digital signature — we make sure both are in order first.
- Prepare & validateWe complete the form, attach the annexures, and check it against the Handbook of Procedures before submission.
- File & follow throughWe submit on the DGFT portal, track the file, and respond to any deficiency queries until it's approved.
Get it filed right
Tell us which approval you need.
Whether it's your first IEC or an EPCG redemption, our Kolkata trade team will identify the correct ANF, prepare it, and file it on the DGFT portal — so a technicality never costs you weeks.
Questions
Common questions on ANFs
What exactly is an Aayaat Niryaat Form?
It's the standard application form — an annexure to the Handbook of Procedures — used to apply to DGFT for import–export approvals such as an IEC, an authorisation, a licence or a refund. Each purpose has its own numbered ANF.
Are these still paper forms I post to an office?
No. Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, applications are filed online on the DGFT portal, linked to your IEC and signed with a digital signature or Aadhaar e-sign. The forms are the same annexures; the filing is fully electronic.
I found forms for MEIS, SEIS or DEPB — can I still use them?
No. Those schemes have been discontinued. MEIS gave way to RoDTEP, and DEPB, SFIS, FMS, FPS and VKGUY were withdrawn in earlier policy revisions. Any page still presenting them as active is out of date — always cross-check against the DGFT portal.
Do I need an IEC before filing any other ANF?
In almost all cases, yes. The Importer Exporter Code (applied for via ANF-2A) is the foundation for trade with India, and most other ANFs are filed against a valid IEC. If you don't have one yet, that's the first form to complete.
Where do I get the official, current forms?
Directly from the DGFT portal, which hosts the authoritative versions and is where filing takes place. We work from those official forms and handle preparation and submission on your behalf.