India Bans Import Of Jute, Woven Fabrics, Yarn From Bangladesh Via Land Border

India restricted on Friday imports of jute, woven fabrics and yarns from Bangladesh from any land port on the border.

As per a notification from the Director General of Foreign Trade, the items includes flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock); jute and other textile bast fibres, raw or retted; jute excluding flax, true hemp and ramie; single flax yarn; single yarn of jute or of other textile bast fibers; multiple folded; woven fabrics or flax; and unbleached woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibers.

While these goods cannot be imported from land routes, the government has allowed entry only through Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port.

Besides, the trade restrictions will not apply to Bangladesh exports to Nepal and Bhutan transiting through India. However, re-export of these goods will not be allowed, the DGFT said.

Bangladesh is the world's second-largest producer of jute and a leading exporter of raw jute and jute products. While India is the largest jute producer overall, Bangladesh dominates in exports, accounting for a significant portion of global shipments.

In May, India imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods from Bangladesh worth $770 million (Rs 6,600 crore), covering nearly 42% of bilateral trade.

Key goods like garments, processed foods, and plastic items were limited to select sea ports or barred from land routes entirely.

Apart from readymade garments, affected categories include fruit-flavoured carbonated drinks, cotton and cotton yarn waste, and PVC finished goods, and wooden furniture.