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Understanding export incentives in India: What are the benefits for exporters?
To promote exports from India, the government provides export incentive schemes for exporters. In this blog, learn more about various export schemes in India & their benefits.

India has thousands of exporters and businesses selling internationally via various mediums including the increasingly popular e-commerce exports. From leather and toys to clothing, jewellery and consumables, India exports an exquisite range of products that are known for its authenticity and flavors. To encourage more and more sellers to export from India and provide benefits to them in their businesses, the Government of India provides export incentives to exporters. This not only helps exporters and their businesses but also motivates them to contribute to the growing export trade of the country with a sense of pride.
How do export incentives work in India?
Export incentives are economic assistance given by the Government of India to exporters like low-cost loans, tax exemptions, subsidies and government-financed advertisements, among others, it helps them reduce the overall export cost, thus helping them set competitive prices in the global market. All government incentives by countries must be in compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which keeps a check on legal and ethical world trade practices.
Top export incentives for exporters
Below are a few export incentives schemes in India that helps MSMEs and sellers avail benefits1:
1. SEIS (Service Exports from India Scheme)
SEIS was introduced to encourage sellers who export notified services. Under this export scheme, an incentive of 3-7% of the net foreign exchange earnings is provided to service exporters. The requirement from an exporter is to have an active IEC with minimum net foreign exchange earnings worth US$ 15,000 (INR 11L approx) to be eligible for a claim under the scheme.
2. RoDTEP (Rebate of Duties & Taxes on Exported Products scheme)
Replacing the old MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme) in a phased manner from December 2020, the RoDTEP scheme offers refund on all hidden and other taxes that were not refunded any other export incentive scheme. This can be central and state taxes on transportation fuel used on export products, duties on electricity used for product manufacturing, toll tax, stamp duties on import-export legal paperwork, etc.
3. EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme)
Under this scheme, capital goods (goods that are used to manufacture other products like leather used to make leather bags, etc) used in the pre-production, production, and in post-production of final export products can be imported at 0% customs duty, also called Zero duty EPCG. This scheme also helps reduce the service exporter’s capital costs.
4. RoSCTL (Rebate on State & Central Taxes and Levies scheme)
The new RoSCTL scheme, introduced in 2019, is applicable on all readymade apparel and textiles like bedsheets, clothing, garments, carpets, rugs, etc. This scheme grants refund on taxes such as VAT on transportation fuel, captive power, ‘mandi’ tax and electricity duty.
5. AAS (Advance Authorization Scheme)
Advance Authorization Scheme (AAS) allows duty-free imports of raw materials, which are required to produce and manufacture final export products. The provision covers fuel, packaging material, and some wastage during the production of the final product. It allows exporters to import raw materials at 0% import duty if those raw materials will be used to manufacture export products.
6. NIRVIK Scheme
Providing high insurance cover, reduced premium for small exporters and a simplified claim settlement process, the NIRVIK scheme was introduced by the ECGC (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India). It is primarily an insurance cover guarantee scheme that provides a cover of up to 90% of the principal and interest, as against the current credit guarantee of only up to 60% loss.
7. EOU Scheme (Export Oriented Units)
EOU scheme was introduced with the aim to encourage exports by providing a few waivers and concessions in compliance and taxes. A 100% export-oriented unit is an industrial unit offering for export its entire production, excluding the permitted levels of domestic tariff area sales for manufacture of goods, including repair, re-making, reconditioning, re-engineering and rendering of services2.
8. GST refund for exporters
GST (Goods & Services Tax) Act offers a few schemes to exporters in India:
LUT Bond Scheme – Exporters can export goods without paying any GST by obtaining a ‘Letter of Undertaking’ (LUT) bond.
IGST Refund – Exporters can pay Integrated GST on exports, and later claim the refund of that amount from the customs department.
1% GST benefit for merchant exporters – Merchant exporters can get export goods from local suppliers at a 0.1% concessional GST rate.
LUT Bond Scheme – Exporters can export goods without paying any GST by obtaining a ‘Letter of Undertaking’ (LUT) bond.
IGST Refund – Exporters can pay Integrated GST on exports, and later claim the refund of that amount from the customs department.
1% GST benefit for merchant exporters – Merchant exporters can get export goods from local suppliers at a 0.1% concessional GST rate.
How to export from India?
Thanks to the growing use of e-commerce and the ease in reaching new international customers online, exporters can now sell internationally with Amazon Global Selling. With state-of-the-art tools like easy listing across 18 marketplaces and hassle-free shipping with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Indian exporters can expand their businesses in a simple manner by registering in 15 minutes. While you reach over 300 million international customers, your business and revenue also contribute to the growing export trade from India.
Register your business
First, you must register your export business with Amazon Global Selling. You don’t have to be an existing Amazon India seller. The registration can be done online on Seller Central. You’ll need the following documents to register:
• PAN
• ID proof (Aadhar, driving license or passport)
• Business address proof (Bank statement)
• Credit card (international transactions enabled)
• PAN
• ID proof (Aadhar, driving license or passport)
• Business address proof (Bank statement)
• Credit card (international transactions enabled)
List your products
Once you have successfully registered to sell globally on Amazon, you can list your products. Remember to follow tips on how to list your products include attractive pictures and descriptions that’s clear to international customers. You can also seek help from third party service providers.
Ship & receive payments
Once a customer places an order, you can choose to deliver by yourself or you can opt for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Under FBA, Amazon takes care of shipping, delivery, returns and customer concerns. Once a customer purchases your product, Amazon credits the money in your bank account in the currency of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I claim export incentives in India?
Different export incentives may have different processes to apply and claim benefits. RoDTEP scheme can be filed at www.icegate.gov.in.
Published on December 27, 2021.
Sources:
1. https://www.ibef.org/blogs/indian-export-incentive-schemes
2. http://www.seepz.gov.in/eou.aspx
Sources:
1. https://www.ibef.org/blogs/indian-export-incentive-schemes
2. http://www.seepz.gov.in/eou.aspx
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*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.