India bans import of jute, other items via land routes

India tightened trade restrictions on Bangladesh, announcing a ban on imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics through all land routes. Under the new directive from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), imports will be allowed only through the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra. The goods under these curbs include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, jute, single flax yarn, single yarn of jute, multiple folded, woven fabrics or flex, and unbleached woven fabrics of jute.

This effectively closes all land border crossings for these specific goods, a significant disruption for cross-border trade. Such port restrictions will not apply to Bangladeshi goods transiting through India to Nepal and Bhutan. The DGFT further said re-exports of these products from Bangladesh to India through Nepal and Bhutan will not be allowed.

The latest ban is not an isolated incident. Earlier in April and May, India announced similar curbs on imports from Bangladesh. On May 17, India imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods like readymade garments and processed food items, from the neighbouring country.

On April 9, India withdrew the transhipment facility it had granted to Bangladesh for exporting various items to the Middle East, Europe and various other countries except Nepal and Bhutan, the news agency reported. Bangladesh is a big competitor of India in the textile sector. The India-Bangladesh trade stood at $12.9 billion in 2023-24. In 2024-25, India’s exports stood at $11.46 billion, while imports were $2 billion.