The Government of India has introduced new restrictions on the import of specific jute-based products from Bangladesh. Announced via a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on August 11, 2025, the move amends the existing Import Policy under the ITC (HS), 2022 Schedule 1, and comes into immediate effect.
Imports from Bangladesh shall not be allowed from any land port on the India-Bangladesh Border:
bleached and unbleached woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibre, twine, cordage, rope of jute, sacks and bags of jute. pic.twitter.com/XGQymeUn4G
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 12, 2025
As per the notification, products such as bleached and unbleached woven jute fabrics, twine, cordage, ropes, jute cables, and jute sacks and bags can no longer enter India through any land port along the India-Bangladesh border. These items will now only be allowed entry via the Nhava Sheva Seaport in Maharashtra.
“Imports from Bangladesh will not be permitted through any land port along the India-Bangladesh border. However, they will be allowed exclusively via the Nhava Sheva Seaport,” the notification states.
The DGFT notification clarified that the restrictions are being implemented under the authority of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, and follow earlier measures introduced in May and June 2025. Although the order does not detail the reasons for this latest decision, such actions are typically aimed at quality control, addressing trade imbalances, or protecting domestic industries from pricing pressures and unfair competition.
The notification specifies that all other terms and conditions outlined in the previous order, Notification No. 21/2025-26 dated June 27, 2025, will remain in effect without any changes.
The order, signed by Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary to the Government of India and Director General of Foreign Trade, takes effect immediately. As a result, any shipments of the specified goods must adhere to the new port restriction without delay.
The jute sector has long been a sensitive aspect of Indo-Bangladesh trade relations, as both nations are leading producers and exporters of jute products. Bangladesh is a key competitor to India in the textile industry, and with the recent imposition of a 50 per cent US tariff on Indian textiles, it now holds a significant advantage in exports to the American market. In 2023–24, bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh reached USD 12.9 billion. During 2024–25, India’s exports to Bangladesh were valued at USD 11.46 billion, while imports stood at USD 2 billion.
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