Wheat Export Policy Changed to Free: DGFT Notifications 34 & 35/2026-27 Explained

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced an important change in India's export policy for wheat, wheat flour and related products. Through Notification No. 34/2026-27 and Notification No. 35/2026-27, both dated 24 August 2026, the Government of India has revised the export policy of specified wheat and wheat flour products from “Prohibited” to “Free” with immediate effect.

The change is significant for Indian exporters, wheat traders, flour mills, food businesses and other businesses involved in international trade. Products covered under the specified ITC (HS) codes can now be exported under the revised Free export policy, subject to applicable export and regulatory requirements.

This article explains both DGFT notifications, the affected HS codes, products covered, what has changed, and what exporters should know before planning shipments.

What Has DGFT Changed in the Wheat Export Policy?

The DGFT has made two separate amendments concerning wheat and wheat-based products:

Therefore, the key regulatory change is:

Prohibited → Free

The amendments have immediate effect from the date of the respective notifications.

DGFT Notification No. 35/2026-27: Wheat Export Policy

DGFT issued Notification No. 35/2026-27 on 24 August 2026 concerning an amendment in the export policy of wheat under Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Export Policy.

The notification was issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

Which Wheat HS Codes Are Covered?

The notification covers the following ITC (HS) codes:

10011900

10019910

The specified wheat products under these classifications were previously subject to a Prohibited export policy.

DGFT has now revised the applicable export policy to Free.

What Does the Change Mean?

Previously, exports falling under the specified classifications could not be exported under the Prohibited policy.

Following the amendment, the export policy has been changed to:

Free

The change applies with immediate effect.

This provides greater flexibility to eligible Indian exporters dealing in the covered wheat products and can make international trade planning easier for businesses operating in the wheat export sector.

DGFT Notification No. 34/2026-27: Wheat Flour Export Policy

Alongside the wheat policy amendment, DGFT issued Notification No. 34/2026-27 on 24 August 2026.

This notification specifically deals with the export policy for wheat flour and related products under ITC (HS) Code 11010000.

Products Covered Under HS Code 11010000

The notification covers:

Wheat or Meslin Flour

Atta

Maida

Semolina (Rava / Suji)

Wholemeal atta

Resultant atta

These products were earlier covered under a Prohibited export policy.

DGFT has now changed the export policy to Free with immediate effect.

What Has Changed?

The policy change can be summarised as:

HS Code 11010000: Prohibited → Free

This means businesses dealing in the covered wheat flour and related products can now consider exports under the revised policy, subject to compliance with other applicable laws, documentation and export requirements.

Wheat vs Wheat Flour: What Is the Difference Between the Two Notifications?

Although both notifications were issued on the same date, they cover different product classifications.

Exporters should therefore identify the correct ITC (HS) classification of their product before relying on the revised policy.

What Does “Free Export Policy” Mean?

Under India's Foreign Trade Policy framework, an item classified as Free can generally be exported without a specific prohibition or restriction under the export policy entry.

However, “Free” does not mean that an exporter can ignore all other export compliance requirements.

Businesses should still check:

Correct ITC (HS) classification

Import Export Code (IEC)

Applicable customs requirements

Export documentation

Product-specific regulations

Destination-country requirements

Quality and food safety requirements, where applicable

Labelling requirements, where applicable

Any other restrictions or conditions imposed under applicable laws

Therefore, exporters should treat the DGFT amendment as a policy liberalisation, rather than as a removal of every regulatory requirement associated with export.

Who Can Benefit From the New Wheat Export Policy?

The policy change may be relevant to several categories of businesses, including:

1. Wheat Exporters

Businesses involved in the international trade of covered wheat products can assess export opportunities under the revised policy.

2. Flour Mills

Flour manufacturers producing products covered under HS Code 11010000 may benefit from the change in the export policy.

3. Atta and Maida Manufacturers

Businesses manufacturing atta, maida and other covered flour products can explore international markets under the revised policy.

4. Agricultural Commodity Traders

Commodity traders dealing in eligible wheat products may find greater flexibility in export planning.

5. Food Product Businesses

Businesses involved in exporting covered wheat-based products can review whether their products fall within the amended classifications.

6. Merchant Exporters

Eligible merchant exporters can also evaluate export opportunities after verifying the applicable HS classification and other compliance requirements.

What Should Exporters Do After the DGFT Policy Change?

The change from Prohibited to Free is important, but exporters should not immediately proceed with shipments without checking their compliance position.

Step 1: Identify the Correct HS Code

First, determine the correct ITC (HS) code applicable to the product.

For this update, the relevant codes include:

10011900, 10019910 and 11010000.

Incorrect classification can create customs and compliance problems.

Step 2: Verify the Product Description

The exporter should confirm that the actual product matches the description covered by the relevant notification.

For wheat flour, particular attention should be given to whether the product falls within the products described under HS Code 11010000.

Step 3: Check IEC Requirements

An exporter generally needs a valid Import Export Code (IEC) for carrying out export activities in India, subject to applicable exemptions.

Step 4: Check Other Applicable Regulations

Changing the DGFT export policy does not automatically remove requirements under other laws.

Depending on the product and destination, exporters may need to consider customs, food safety, labelling, quality, packaging and destination-country requirements.

Step 5: Review Destination-Country Rules

The importing country may have its own requirements for wheat and wheat flour products.

Exporters should therefore verify:

• Import permits
• Product standards
• Food safety requirements
• Labelling rules
• Packaging requirements
• Phytosanitary or other certificates, wherever applicable
• Customs documentation

Step 6: Prepare Export Documentation

Before shipment, businesses should ensure that the required commercial and regulatory documents are correctly prepared.

Documents Exporters May Need

The exact documentation depends on the product, transaction and destination country. Common export documents can include:

• Import Export Code (IEC)
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Shipping Bill
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• Purchase Order or Export Contract
• Certificate of Origin, where required
• Product-related certificates, where applicable
• Food safety or quality documents, where applicable
• Other documents required by customs or the importing country

Exporters should confirm the current requirements applicable to their particular shipment.

Impact of the Wheat Export Policy Change on Indian Exporters

The move from Prohibited to Free can provide Indian businesses with greater flexibility in accessing international markets for the products covered by the notifications.

For exporters, some potential business implications include:

More export opportunities for covered wheat products

Greater flexibility in international trade planning

Opportunities to explore new overseas buyers

Increased scope for flour and wheat product exporters

Potential expansion of Indian agricultural exports

Better ability to plan export contracts for eligible products

However, actual commercial opportunities will depend on factors such as international demand, pricing, logistics, destination-country regulations and the ability of exporters to meet applicable compliance requirements.

Does the New Policy Mean All Wheat Exports Are Now Free?

No.

This is an important point for exporters.

The DGFT notifications specifically amend the export policy for the products and ITC (HS) codes covered by the notifications.

Therefore, exporters should not assume that every type or classification of wheat or every wheat-based product automatically falls under the new Free policy.

Before exporting, businesses should verify:

Product description

ITC (HS) code

Current DGFT export policy

Applicable notification

Any additional restrictions or conditions

Destination-country requirements

Correct product classification is particularly important when the regulatory treatment depends on the HS code.

Effective Date of the New Export Policy

Both amendments were issued on 24 August 2026 and provide for the revised policy to take effect immediately.

Notification No. 35/2026-27

Specified wheat products under HS Codes 10011900 and 10019910 moved from Prohibited to Free.

Notification No. 34/2026-27

Wheat flour and related products under HS Code 11010000 moved from Prohibited to Free.

Exporters should refer to the applicable DGFT notification and verify the latest policy position before undertaking a shipment.

Why HS Code Verification Is Important

The change in policy makes HS code verification even more important.

Two products that appear similar commercially may have different classifications under the ITC (HS) system. Their export policy may also differ.

For example, the notifications discussed in this article separately address:

Specified wheat products under 10011900 and 10019910

Wheat or Meslin Flour and related products under 11010000

Therefore, businesses should avoid relying only on common product names such as “wheat,” “atta” or “flour.”

The correct classification should be established based on the actual product and applicable customs classification rules.

What Exporters Should Keep in Mind

The latest DGFT amendment is a positive policy development for businesses involved in the covered wheat and wheat flour categories. However, exporters should take a compliance-first approach.

Before entering into an export contract or arranging shipment, businesses should:

Verify the applicable HS code

Read the relevant DGFT notification

Confirm the current export policy

Maintain a valid IEC

Check customs requirements

Review destination-country regulations

Prepare the required documentation

Verify food safety and quality requirements where applicable

Take professional advice where product classification or regulatory requirements are unclear

DGFT Wheat Export Policy 2026: Key Takeaway

The Government of India has made a significant change in the export policy of specified wheat and wheat flour products.

Through Notification No. 35/2026-27, dated 24 August 2026, the export policy for specified wheat products under HS Codes 10011900 and 10019910 has been changed from Prohibited to Free.

Through Notification No. 34/2026-27, dated 24 August 2026, the export policy for Wheat or Meslin Flour, including Atta, Maida, Semolina, Wholemeal atta and Resultant atta under HS Code 11010000, has also been changed from Prohibited to Free.

Both changes are effective immediately.

For exporters, the next important step is to verify the correct HS classification and ensure that all other applicable export, customs, product and destination-country requirements are fulfilled.

Need Help With Export Compliance?

Understanding whether your product qualifies under the revised DGFT policy can require careful checking of the HS code, product description and applicable export regulations.

PSR Compliance can assist businesses with export-related regulatory and compliance requirements, including DGFT-related consultation and documentation support.

📞 Call: (+91) 8796104190
📧 Email: support@psrcompliance.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Has the export policy for wheat changed in 2026?

Yes. DGFT has changed the export policy of specified wheat products under HS Codes 10011900 and 10019910 from Prohibited to Free through Notification No. 35/2026-27 dated 24 August 2026.

2. Has wheat flour export been made free?

Yes. Under Notification No. 34/2026-27, the export policy for wheat or Meslin Flour and specified related products under HS Code 11010000 has been changed from Prohibited to Free.

3. Which wheat flour products are covered?

The notification covers Wheat or Meslin Flour, including Atta, Maida, Semolina (Rava/Suji), Wholemeal atta and Resultant atta under HS Code 11010000.

4. When did the new policy take effect?

The revised export policy became effective immediately from 24 August 2026, the date of the respective DGFT notifications.

5. Which DGFT notification covers wheat exports?

DGFT Notification No. 35/2026-27, dated 24 August 2026, covers the specified wheat products under HS Codes 10011900 and 10019910.

6. Which DGFT notification covers wheat flour exports?

DGFT Notification No. 34/2026-27, dated 24 August 2026, covers wheat flour and related products under HS Code 11010000.

7. Does Free export policy mean no compliance is required?

No. Exporters must still comply with applicable customs, IEC, documentation, product-specific, food safety, quality and destination-country requirements.

8. Can every type of wheat now be exported freely?

Not necessarily. The policy amendment applies to the specific products and HS codes covered by the notifications. Exporters should verify their product classification and the latest applicable DGFT policy before exporting.