DGFT India extends urea import control through IPL till March 2027

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of India, through Notification No. 68/2025-26 dated 27 March 2026, has extended the State Trading Enterprise (STE) status of Indian Potash Limited (IPL) for urea imports until 31 March 2027.

The amendment applies to ITC (HS) Code 31021010 under Schedule I (Import Policy) of ITC (HS) 2022. The move continues the existing policy framework under which agricultural-grade urea imports on government account are canalized exclusively through IPL, in line with Para 2.21 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.

The notification maintains policy continuity, with no change in operational conditions from earlier notifications issued in March 2024 and March 2025. Importers outside the government channel remain restricted, reinforcing centralized procurement.

From a logistics and supply chain standpoint, the extension ensures predictable cargo flows and long-term contracting visibility for bulk fertilizer imports. However, it also sustains limited market access for private participants, keeping urea firmly within a controlled trade regime amid ongoing food security considerations.