India Bans Land Imports of Jute and Fabrics from Bangladesh

India on Friday imposed a ban on the import of specific jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through land ports along the border.

According to a notification issued by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the restricted items include flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, single and multiple jute yarns, woven flax fabrics, and unbleached woven jute fabrics.

The import of these products will now only be permitted through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra.

The DGFT clarified that the restrictions would not affect Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan. However, re-exporting such products to India via these countries will remain prohibited.

This is the third such import restriction imposed by India in recent months. On 17 May, similar curbs were placed on Bangladeshi ready-made garments and processed foods. Earlier, on 9 April, India withdrew transshipment facilities for Bangladeshi exports to countries beyond Nepal and Bhutan.

In a related move, Bangladesh had banned yarn imports through land ports on 28 March, following demands from local textile mill owners.

Bilateral trade between the two countries totalled $12.9 billion in the 2023–24 fiscal year, with Indian exports amounting to $11.46 billion and imports from Bangladesh at $2 billion.