In July, 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a notification amending the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 to prohibit the import of goods that are produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, using forced labour. The amendment is into effect from August 13, 2026, 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette on July 14, 2026. 

The amendment adopts the definition of “forced labour” from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Forced Labour Convention, which defines it as “all work or service exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily.” 

Key amendments include: 

• Imports of goods produced or manufactured, either wholly or partially, using forced labour are prohibited. 

• The government may notify additional categories of restricted goods based on findings from investigations or other relevant evidence. 

• Detailed procedures for DGFT enquiries into suspected forced labour cases will be specified in the Handbook of Procedures, 2023. 

The amendment reinforces India’s commitment to ethical trade practices and aligns its import regulations with internationally recognized labour standards.