Published: 3 Sep 2026
DGFT Opens Fresh Window for Balance 2,02,550 MT Raw Sugar TRQ With Daily Allocation Mechanism
Regulatory Update | DGFT Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 | 1 September 2026
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has opened a fresh application window for the remaining 2,02,550 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Raw Sugar Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) after allocating 7,97,450 MT out of the total 10,00,000 MT quota notified for import.
Through Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 dated 1 September 2026, DGFT has introduced a new daily-batch allocation mechanism for the remaining quantity. Unlike the original one-time allocation process, applications for the balance quantity will now be processed on a rolling daily basis, with a 5:30 PM daily cut-off and pro-rata allocation where demand exceeds the available quantity.
The fresh application window will remain open for 7 days from the date of publication of the Public Notice. Applications must be submitted online through the DGFT Import Management System under the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) module.
Key Highlights
- Total Raw Sugar TRQ: 10,00,000 MT
- Quantity already allocated: 7,97,450 MT
- Balance quantity available: 2,02,550 MT
- Fresh application window: 7 days
- Applications: Online through DGFT Import Management System
- Daily batch cut-off: 5:30 PM
- Applications received by 5:30 PM are processed as that day’s batch.
- Applications received after 5:30 PM move to the next day’s batch.
- Where demand exceeds the available balance, allocation will be made pro-rata.
- Once the remaining quota is exhausted, subsequent applications will not be considered.
- The original terms and conditions under Public Notice No. 27/2026-27 and its Corrigendum dated 24 August 2026 continue to apply.
Background: Raw Sugar TRQ Allocation
The Government has provided a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) of 10,00,000 MT for the import of Raw Sugar under the applicable framework.
A TRQ permits imports of a specified quantity at a concessional rate of duty, while imports beyond the quota are generally subject to the applicable standard rate.
DGFT had earlier opened the allocation process through Public Notice No. 27/2026-27 dated 20 August 2026, followed by a corrigendum dated 24 August 2026.
Following the Committee meeting held on 28 August 2026, DGFT has now disclosed the outcome of the first allocation round.
Out of the total 10,00,000 MT quota:
7,97,450 MT has been applied for and allocated.
This leaves:
2,02,550 MT available for fresh allocation.
DGFT Opens Fresh 7-Day Application Window
Eligible millers and refiners can now apply for allocation of the remaining 2,02,550 MT of Raw Sugar TRQ.
The fresh application window will remain open for:
7 days from 1 September 2026
Applications must be submitted electronically through the DGFT Import Management System, using the relevant TRQ module.
Businesses interested in the remaining quota should therefore prepare their applications and supporting information in advance rather than waiting until the final days of the window.
New Daily Allocation Mechanism for Balance Raw Sugar TRQ
The most significant change introduced by Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 is the shift from a one-time allocation process to daily batch processing.
Under the new mechanism:
Applications submitted by 5:30 PM
All eligible applications received up to 5:30 PM on a particular day will constitute that day’s batch.
These applications will be processed for allocation on the following working day, subject to scrutiny and eligibility.
Applications submitted after 5:30 PM
Applications received after the daily cut-off will automatically move into the next day’s batch.
The DGFT portal’s official date and time stamp will determine the batch to which an application belongs.
What Happens if Applications Exceed the Available Quota?
DGFT has introduced a pro-rata allocation mechanism to deal with situations where applications exceed the quantity available.
If the aggregate quantity applied for during a particular day’s batch, together with quantities already allocated, exceeds the remaining balance of 2,02,550 MT, the available quantity for that batch will be distributed on a pro-rata basis.
In simple terms, applicants will receive a proportionate allocation based on the quantity they have applied for rather than automatically receiving their full requested quantity.
For example, if the total quantity requested by applicants in a batch is greater than the quantity remaining under the TRQ, each eligible applicant’s allocation will be reduced proportionately.
Once the entire balance quota is exhausted, subsequent applications will not be considered, and applicants will be informed through the DGFT portal.
One-Time Allocation vs Daily Allocation
The revised mechanism represents a significant procedural change from the first allocation round.
| Parameter | Earlier Process | New Process |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation mechanism | One-time allocation | Daily rolling batches |
| Quantity | 10,00,000 MT TRQ | Balance 2,02,550 MT |
| Application period | As prescribed under original notice | 7 days |
| Daily cut-off | Not applicable | 5:30 PM |
| Late applications | Not applicable | Move to next day’s batch |
| Excess demand | Original allocation mechanism | Pro-rata allocation |
| After quota exhaustion | Not applicable | Further applications not considered |
Why the Daily 5:30 PM Cut-Off Matters
The 5:30 PM daily cut-off is an important operational requirement for applicants.
An application submitted before the cut-off will be included in that day’s batch, while an application submitted after 5:30 PM will automatically move to the following day’s batch.
This can become particularly important as the remaining quota gets progressively allocated.
Businesses should therefore avoid waiting until the end of the day to submit their applications and should allow sufficient time for:
- Document preparation
- Data verification
- Portal submission
- Correction of errors, where permitted
- Confirmation of successful submission
The DGFT portal timestamp will determine the relevant batch.
What Happens When the Raw Sugar TRQ Is Exhausted?
The remaining balance of 2,02,550 MT is not an unlimited allocation pool.
As applications are processed and quantities are allocated, the available balance will reduce.
Where a daily batch exceeds the available balance, the allocation will be made pro-rata.
Once the remaining quota has been completely exhausted:
No further applications will be considered.
DGFT will communicate the status of applications through the portal.
This makes timely submission particularly important for millers and refiners seeking access to the remaining TRQ quantity.
Do the Original Raw Sugar TRQ Conditions Still Apply?
Yes.
The new Public Notice does not replace the underlying conditions governing the Raw Sugar TRQ allocation.
The balance allocation process continues under the terms, format and conditions established through:
- Public Notice No. 27/2026-27 dated 20 August 2026
- Corrigendum dated 24 August 2026
Applicants should therefore review the original Public Notice and Corrigendum alongside Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 before submitting an application.
What Should Millers and Refiners Do Now?
Businesses seeking the remaining Raw Sugar TRQ should take the following steps.
1. Review Eligibility
Confirm that the applicant qualifies under the applicable TRQ allocation framework.
2. Review the Original Conditions
Check the requirements and conditions prescribed under Public Notice No. 27/2026-27 and its Corrigendum.
3. Prepare the Application in Advance
Since the application window is only 7 days, applicants should prepare the required information before attempting portal submission.
4. Submit Before 5:30 PM
Where possible, submit applications well before the daily cut-off to ensure that they are included in the intended day’s batch.
5. Monitor the DGFT Portal
Applicants should regularly monitor portal notifications and application status, particularly as the remaining quota approaches exhaustion.
6. Plan for Pro-Rata Allocation
Applicants should not assume that the full quantity requested will necessarily be allocated if aggregate demand exceeds the available balance.
7. Track the Remaining Quota
As the balance is allocated daily, businesses should remain alert to the possibility that the quota may be exhausted before the end of the 7-day window.
Business Impact of the Revised Raw Sugar TRQ Mechanism
The revised allocation mechanism has several practical implications for sugar millers, refiners and businesses involved in Raw Sugar imports.
Faster Allocation
The daily-batch system allows DGFT to process the remaining quantity progressively rather than waiting for another single allocation exercise.
Greater Importance of Timing
The 5:30 PM cut-off means that application timing can affect the batch in which an application is considered.
Pro-Rata Risk
Where demand exceeds the available quantity, applicants may receive less than the quantity requested.
Risk of Exhaustion
The remaining 2,02,550 MT could be fully allocated before the seven-day window closes.
Greater Need for Portal Monitoring
Since applications, processing and notifications are being managed through the DGFT system, applicants should closely monitor their online status.
The DGFT’s approach is designed to allocate the residual quantity more continuously and precisely as the balance reduces.
Why This Development Matters for Raw Sugar Importers
The first allocation round has already accounted for 7,97,450 MT, representing the majority of the 10,00,000 MT TRQ.
The fresh window therefore concerns a significantly smaller residual quantity of 2,02,550 MT.
For eligible millers and refiners that still require TRQ allocation, this creates a limited opportunity to apply for the remaining quantity.
The combination of a 7-day application window, daily 5:30 PM cut-off, daily batch processing and pro-rata allocation means businesses should approach the process proactively rather than treating it as a conventional open-ended application window.
Is the Raw Sugar TRQ Still Available?
Yes, but only the remaining 2,02,550 MT is available under this fresh allocation process.
The original 10,00,000 MT TRQ has already been substantially allocated, with 7,97,450 MT applied for and allocated following the first allocation round.
The balance is now being opened through the new daily allocation mechanism.
Conclusion
DGFT’s Public Notice No. 28/2026-27 dated 1 September 2026 introduces a fresh opportunity for eligible millers and refiners to apply for the remaining 2,02,550 MT of Raw Sugar TRQ.
Following the first allocation round, 7,97,450 MT of the total 10,00,000 MT quota has already been allocated.
For the remaining quantity, DGFT has moved away from the earlier one-time allocation approach and introduced a daily rolling-batch mechanism. Applications received by 5:30 PM each day will form that day’s batch, while later applications will move to the following day’s batch.
Where aggregate demand exceeds the available balance, allocation will be made pro-rata, and once the quota is exhausted, subsequent applications will not be considered.
For eligible millers and refiners, the key priorities are therefore timely application, accurate documentation, compliance with the original TRQ conditions and close monitoring of the DGFT portal.
Businesses seeking to utilise the remaining Raw Sugar TRQ should act promptly within the 7-day application window and avoid delaying submission until the final days.
How Omega QMS Can Help
At Omega QMS, we assist businesses with India’s evolving DGFT, import-export, customs and trade compliance requirements, including Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) applications and import authorisation processes.
Our team can assist with:
- TRQ application preparation
- DGFT portal filing
- Import policy assessment
- Documentation and compliance review
- Raw Sugar import regulatory requirements
- DGFT clarification and procedural support
- Import authorisation and trade compliance
If your business is seeking to apply for the remaining Raw Sugar TRQ or requires assistance in navigating the revised daily allocation mechanism, our regulatory team can help you assess the applicable requirements and prepare the necessary submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the remaining Raw Sugar TRQ quantity available under the new DGFT notice?
DGFT has confirmed that 2,02,550 MT remains available from the original 10,00,000 MT Raw Sugar TRQ.
How much Raw Sugar TRQ has already been allocated?
A total of 7,97,450 MT has been applied for and allocated under the first allocation round.
Who can apply for the remaining Raw Sugar TRQ?
Eligible millers and refiners can apply for the balance quantity in accordance with the conditions and format prescribed under the applicable DGFT notices.
How long is the new Raw Sugar TRQ application window?
The fresh application window is open for 7 days from the date of publication of Public Notice No. 28/2026-27, dated 1 September 2026.
What is the daily cut-off time for Raw Sugar TRQ applications?
The daily cut-off is 5:30 PM. Applications received by this time are treated as that day’s batch.
What happens if I submit the application after 5:30 PM?
The application will roll over into the next day’s batch.
What happens if demand exceeds the remaining Raw Sugar quota?
Where the aggregate demand exceeds the available balance, DGFT will make the allocation on a pro-rata basis, proportionate to the quantity applied for.
What happens after the Raw Sugar TRQ is exhausted?
Once the balance quantity is fully exhausted, further applications will not be considered. Applicants will be informed through the DGFT portal.
Do the conditions of the original Raw Sugar TRQ notice still apply?
Yes. The new allocation process continues under the terms and conditions of Public Notice No. 27/2026-27 dated 20 August 2026 and its Corrigendum dated 24 August 2026.
Official Reference
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India
Public Notice No.: 28/2026-27
Date: 1 September 2026
File No.: 01/89/180/43/AM-26/PC-2(A)/E-47338
Subject: Modalities for Application and Allocation of Balance Quantity under TRQ Scheme for Import of 10 Lakh MT of Raw Sugar.
The Public Notice was issued in continuation of Public Notice No. 27/2026-27 dated 20 August 2026, its Corrigendum dated 24 August 2026, and pursuant to the Committee’s Minutes of Meeting dated 28 August 2026.
Status: Final and operative.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, customs, trade or regulatory advice. Businesses should seek professional advice based on their specific products, transactions and circumstances.