India bans import of more jute goods via land ports

India has banned the import of several more jute goods from Bangladesh through land ports, with the order taking immediate effect.

The step follows restrictions on certain jute items imposed one and a half months ago.

From now on, these products can only enter the neighbouring country through Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru) sea port.

New Delhi took the latest move on Monday amid months of strain in bilateral trade relations.

In the new order issued by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the jute products added to the land port restriction list include jute sacks and fabrics, fibre-based raw materials, yarn, rope, sacks, and bags.

Earlier, on Jun 27, the DGFT had imposed restrictions on nine products, including multiple types of woven fabrics, along with raw jute fibre and jute yarn (including kenaf, hemp, and ramie).

At the time, the DGFT had said the ban would not apply to goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan.

These jute goods from Bangladesh, however, could not be exported to India via Nepal or Bhutan.