A DGFT Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is mandatory to digitally sign any documents, forms in electronic format or for transactions being accomplished through a web browser on the DGFT portal or website. It is essentially used by the Exporters & Importers (EXIM) group registered with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in India.

A DGFT Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) validates electronic documents/forms in a similar mode a handwritten signature validates printed documents/forms. This signature cannot be forged and it confirms that a named individual wrote or else approved to the e-document to which the signature is affixed. The receiver of digitally signed e-documents/forms can validate that the e-documents/forms created from the individual whose signature is affixed to the e-document and that the e-document has not been changed either intentionally or unintentionally since it was signed.

Also, the individual who signs an e-document cannot later deny it by demanding that the signature was forged. In other words, Digital Signatures allows the “validation” and “non- rejection” of digital e-documents/forms, assuring the receiver of a digital e-documents/forms of both the identity of the sender and the reliability of the e-documents/forms. A DGFT Digital Signature Certification (DSC) is allotted by a Certification Authority (CA) and is signed with the CA’s

A benefit of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Digital Signatures is DGFT Digital Signature (DSC) is allotted to companies or individuals (any person from an EXIM organisation, who is authorised to manage with DGFT on behalf of the organisation) who have acquired a valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC). A DGFT Digital Signature (DSC) can be used to apply for licenses electronically with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and digitally sign e- license forms. It is mandatory to have this Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to able to connect with DGFT online.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has comprehensive attractive financial incentives amounting to a 50% waiver on license fees for those Exporters and Importers who are using DGFT Digital Signature Certificates (DSC). Benefits of a DGFT Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) include compact paperwork, reduced prices, convenience and lesser turnaround time. Also logging into the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Portal using a DGFT Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is extreme more protected than using a User ID and Password.