DGFT Re-transmission for SB | ICEGATE Portal | Capricorn DSC

Exporters often face technical issues while submitting Shipping Bills on the ICEGATE portal, especially when the Shipping Bill is linked to a DGFT-issued IEC or license. These glitches can prevent a successful submission, causing delays in customs clearance and exports.

To address this, the government introduced the DGFT Re-transmission facility for Shipping Bills in February 2025. This process allows exporters to resubmit Shipping Bills that failed due to technical issues. While the process is often called “DGFT Re-transmission,” it is actually carried out via ICEGATE.

Whether ICEGATE or DGFT portal, almost all filings on these portals require a Digital Signature Certificate.

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What is DGFT Re-transmission?

DGFT Re-transmission is a process that allows exporters to resubmit Shipping Bills in cases where the initial submission fails due to technical errors.

DGFT Re-transmission for SB ensures that your Shipping Bill reaches DGFT correctly, enabling timely customs clearance and avoiding delays in export benefits under various schemes like MEIS, SEIS, RoDTEP, and Duty Drawback.

Although the term mentions DGFT, the actual resubmission is carried out via the ICEGATE portal. Confusing right?

Why is DGFT Re-transmission done via ICEGATE portal?

While the process is often called “DGFT Re-transmission,” it is actually carried out via ICEGATE portal. Here's why:

1. Electronic Submission Platform: ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) is the official platform for all electronic customs filings, including Shipping Bills. DGFT itself does not handle the technical transmission of documents.

2. Automatic Validation: When you submit or re-transmit a Shipping Bill via ICEGATE, the portal automatically validates your IEC and DGFT licenses to ensure compliance with export regulations.

3. Technical Handling: ICEGATE manages file uploads, network connectivity, and digital signature verification — all technical aspects required for successful submission.

4. Secure and Legally Valid: ICEGATE ensures that your submission is authenticated and secure, using your Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for legal validity.

Therefore, you must get your ICEGATE Digital Signature from a trusted DSC provider in India, like Capricorn CA.

DGFT Re-transmission is not to fix YOUR mistakes…

When we hear “re-submission,” we instantly think it's another try to correct mistakes in our Shipping Bill filing if we have done something wrong. But that's not the case!

It's important to understand that DGFT Re-transmission is only a technical resubmission process. It is not a tool to correct errors in the Shipping Bill, such as wrong invoice values, incorrect item descriptions, or mismatched license details.

Note: Re-transmission will not fix these mistakes, and the submission may still be rejected by DGFT.

Think of re-transmission as a “second chance” for technical errors, not a way to fix human errors.

When is Re-transmission Needed for Shipping Bills?

Re-transmission of Shipping Bills is required only when the initial submission fails due to technical issues. Its sole purpose is to ensure the submission reaches DGFT successfully.

Common scenarios that may require re-transmission include:

1. Network Issues: Submission fails due to internet or connectivity problems.

2. Server Errors: ICEGATE or DGFT server downtime during the submission process.

3. Digital Signature Problems: Expired, invalid, or unrecognized DSC causing authentication failure.

4. File Upload Errors: Wrong file format, corrupted files, or incomplete uploads.

Is re-transmission for Shipping Bills ONLY?

Yes, the DGFT Re-transmission facility is specifically designed for Shipping Bills. It cannot be used for other DGFT filings like IEC applications, export licenses, or amendments to existing licenses.

How to file ICEGATE Shipping Bill?

Filing a Shipping Bill is done electronically via ICEGATE. Here are the steps you need to follow to file an ICEGATE Shipping Bill:

ICEGATE Login: Login to ICEGATE with your credentials.

Select Shipping Bill Type: Choose based on your export scheme (MEIS, SEIS, RoDTEP, Duty Drawback).

Enter Export Details: Fill in IEC, invoice, consignee info, and DGFT license (if applicable).

Upload Documents: Attach commercial invoice, packing list, and relevant licenses.

Use DSC for Shipping Bill ICEGATE: Use your DSC to sign the documents digitally.

Submit & Authenticate: Submit. ICEGATE generates a Shipping Bill number.

Check Status: Track your Shipping Bill on ICEGATE to confirm successful filing. After its success, you can do the Shipping bill download.

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Now you know how to file a shipping. The next step is to know how to do DGFT Re-transmission for Shipping Bills. This will help you in case your ICEGATE Shipping bill submission fails.

How to do DGFT Re-transmission for Shipping Bills?

Follow these steps to know how to do DGFT SB retransmission:

1. ICEGATE Login: Log in to your exporter account.

2. Go to Services: Navigate to the Services section on the portal.

3. Enquiries: Click on Enquiries, then select ICEGATE Enquiry Service.

4. DGFT Re-transmission: Click on DGFT, then choose DGFT Retransmission Facility (SB).

5. Fill Details: Enter the required information:

- SB Date
- SB Number
- Port Code
- IEC

6. Submit: Click Submit and check for confirmation of successful retransmission.

Now you can easily carry out your DGFT SB retransmission.

Check Shipping bill status at ICEGATE

After re-transmitting your DGFT Shipping Bill, it's important to verify its status to ensure successful submission. Here's how you can check DGFT Shipping Bill status:

1. ICEGATE Login: Login to your account with your credentials.

2. Go to Services: Navigate to the Services section.

3. Click on Enquiries: Select ICEGATE Enquiry Service.

4. DGFT Status: Click on DGFT and then choose DGFT Retransmission Status Enquiry.

5. Enter Details: Provide the following information:

- SB Number
- SB Date
- Port Code
- IEC

6. View Status: That's it! You'll now see the live and latest status of your Shipping Bill.

So now you know how to check Shipping Bill status at ICEGATE.

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Conclusion

The DGFT SB retransmission process allows you to resend failed Shipping Bills securely through ICEGATE portal.

Just by ICEGATE login, exporters can not only file DGFT Shipping Bills but also check their DGFT Shipping Bill status, view Shipping Bill status at ICEGATE, and even perform an ICEGATE Shipping Bill download when required.

Remember, re-transmission is only for technical issues, not for correcting errors in your Shipping Bill. For wrong details, you must go through the amendment process.

With a valid ICEGATE Digital Signature Certificate, exporters can file, retransmit, and track their Shipping Bills smoothly on ICEGATE without the risk of delays.