Foreign TradeRule change
Import of goods made with forced labour is prohibited under new FTP Para 2.20B
The Foreign Trade Policy now carries a prohibition on importing goods produced, wholly or in part, with forced labour. The Central Government will name the goods by notification after an enquiry by DGFT.
Key facts
- Published
- 13 July 2026
- Section
- Foreign Trade
- What it is
- Rule change
- Who it affects
- Importers, especially those sourcing from supply chains with forced-labour risk
In 30 seconds
- New Para 2.20B prohibits the import of goods produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, through the use of forced labour.
- The Central Government may specify, by notification, the goods whose import is prohibited, having regard to the findings of an enquiry.
- The enquiry is conducted by the Director General of Foreign Trade under a procedure in the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.
- New Para 11.64 defines forced labour as in the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).
What the document says
“The import of goods produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, through the use of forced labour is prohibited.”
— DGFT Notification 23/2026-27
What changes, and what does not
| Point | Position now | Changed? |
|---|---|---|
| Import of goods made with forced labour | Prohibited under Para 2.20B | Inserted |
| Which goods | Those the Central Government specifies by notification | No change |
| Enquiry | By the Director General of Foreign Trade, under the Handbook of Procedures | No change |
| Definition of forced labour | Para 11.64, as in the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 | Inserted |
What an importer should do
- Watch for the notifications that will name the goods covered. The paragraph works through them.
- Keep supplier declarations and audit records for supply chains where forced-labour questions could be raised.
Published 13 July 2026. Updated 2 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.