Legal Abbreviation

Trade Compliance Guide

Legal Abbreviations in Export–Import & Trade Compliance

Accurate use of legal abbreviations is critical for regulatory compliance, documentation approval, and smooth international trade operations.

Overview

Legal abbreviations are standardized short forms used in customs, export–import, taxation, regulatory filings, and corporate documentation. Incorrect or incomplete usage can lead to document rejection, compliance issues, penalties, or shipment delays.

Aradhya Export Import Consultants Pvt. Ltd. assists clients in ensuring error-free documentation and compliant usage of legal abbreviations across all regulatory frameworks.

Company & Entity Types

Pvt. Ltd. – Private Limited Company
Ltd. – Limited Company
LLP – Limited Liability Partnership
OPC – One Person Company
HUF – Hindu Undivided Family

DGFT & EXIM Abbreviations

IEC – Import Export Code
DGFT – Directorate General of Foreign Trade
EPCG – Export Promotion Capital Goods
DFIA – Duty Free Import Authorisation
SCOMET – Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment & Technologies

Customs & Logistics

CHA – Custom House Agent
BOE – Bill of Entry
AEO – Authorised Economic Operator
MOOWR – Manufacturing and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations
SEZ – Special Economic Zone
FTWZ – Free Trade Warehousing Zone
EOU – Export Oriented Unit

GST & Taxation

GST – Goods and Services Tax
IGST – Integrated Goods and Services Tax
LUT – Letter of Undertaking
RCM – Reverse Charge Mechanism

Regulatory Authorities

CBIC – Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
RBI – Reserve Bank of India
BIS – Bureau of Indian Standards
WPC – Wireless Planning & Coordination
MOEF – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Important Compliance Note

As per standard legal practice, the full form of any abbreviation must be mentioned at its first occurrence in official documents, followed by the abbreviated form. Incorrect or casual usage may result in non-compliance or legal complications.