DGFT Revises PSIC Timeline and Backlog PSIC Relief
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has revised the timeline for issuing Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificates (PSICs) and provided a one-time transitional relaxation for certain backlog certificates.
Through Trade Notice No. 28/2026-27 dated 16 September 2026, DGFT has modified the requirements introduced under Trade Notice No. 22/2026-27 dated 25 August 2026. The changes are intended to facilitate the implementation of the revised PSIA/PSIC module.
What Has DGFT Changed for PSIC Issuance?
The key change relates to the timeline within which a PSIC must be generated and issued.
Under the revised provision:
- The PSIC must be generated and issued within 2 days from the date of inspection.
- The DGFT system will permit generation and issuance only within the prescribed timeline.
- PSIC uploading must be completed from the same geographical location/country where the inspection was conducted.
This replaces the earlier provision under Trade Notice No. 22/2026-27, which required PSIC generation and issuance on the date of inspection.
One-Time Relaxation for Backlog PSICs
DGFT has also introduced a one-time transitional arrangement for recognised Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PSIAs).
A seven-day relaxation from 16 September 2026 has been provided to clear backlog PSICs relating to inspections conducted before 25 August 2026, where certificates could not be issued because of system restrictions introduced following the earlier trade notice.
This relaxation is specifically intended to address such pending certificates and should not be treated as a general extension of the revised PSIC issuance timeline.
What Remains Unchanged?
All other provisions contained in Trade Notice No. 22/2026-27 dated 25 August 2026 will continue to remain applicable.
The earlier notice introduced several digital changes to the PSIA/PSIC module, including standardised inspection dates, automated signature and stamp embedding, system-populated inspector details, increased inspection photograph limits and larger video attachment limits.
Note for PSIAs and Exporters:
Recognised PSIAs should review pending PSICs relating to inspections conducted before 25 August 2026 and use the transitional seven-day window where applicable.
For inspections covered by the revised process, PSIC generation and issuance should be completed within 2 days from the inspection date, while the geographical-location requirement for uploading must also be followed.
Conclusion
DGFT Trade Notice No. 28/2026-27 provides two important changes to the PSIC process: a two-day timeline for PSIC generation and issuance and a one-time seven-day relaxation for eligible backlog PSICs arising from earlier system restrictions.
PSIAs and stakeholders involved in pre-shipment inspections should align their processes with the revised timeline and ensure compliance with the updated DGFT portal requirements.
Notification Reference:
DGFT
Trade Notice No. 28/2026-27
16/09/2026