DGFT issues Importer Exporter Code (IEC), publishes the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), administers export incentive schemes (RoDTEP, MEIS, SEIS), and licenses restricted import/export categories.
For Indian SMBs in international trade: DGFT registration (IEC) is mandatory before any cross-border transaction. The portal is dgft.gov.in. Most processes are online and free or low-fee.
Key schemes administered by DGFT: RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products) — replaced MEIS in 2021, available as duty credit scrips for most export categories. SEIS — for service exports. Advance Authorization — duty-free import for re-export.