Import restrictions have been lifted by a DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) notification which removes earlier directives limiting the receipt of goods to a few ports in the country.

 

 

In 2015 the DGFT directive stated that imported fruit was limited to a single port of entry, Nhava Sheva Port in Mumbai. Then another directive in 2016 extended import permits by sea and airport to Kolkata, Cochin, Chennai as well as the dry port and Delhi airport. Importing via the land borders of India is not limited.

 

 

 

The new 2018 directive puts an end to these port restrictions and allows importation into any port in the country. This will help develop the volumes shipped.

 

 

 

For imports of apples for example, India imports for a value of 217 million USD per year, from the USA (47.9% of the total), China (19.8%), Chile (10.3%), New Zealand (8.9%), Italy (5.4%) and other countries (7.6%).