Export essentials
Posted on Aug 22, 2025
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International business feels scary. Rules, currencies, and finding overseas customers seem impossible without guidance on export schemes from India. Many people give up before starting.
Here's the secret: our government wants you to succeed internationally! They created programs under the EPCG scheme to make global business simple and affordable for small businesses and individuals.
Why You Matter: When freelancers earn from Upwork, startups sell software abroad, or people export handmade goods, you bring foreign money into India. This helps our economy grow.
That's why special government programs exist for businesses like yours. Most people don't know about them, so there's less competition for you.
This guide explains everything simply. We'll show you how to use these programs with smart payment tools to earn more from international work.
What Are Export Promotion Schemes? A Simple Guide
Think of export promotion schemes as the government saying, "We want to help your business grow globally." These are special programs that make it easier and cheaper for Indian businesses to sell products and services worldwide.
The Indian government offers these schemes because exports bring foreign money into the country and create jobs. In return, exporters get real benefits like tax savings, cheaper loans, insurance protection, and money back on marketing expenses.
Whether you're a freelancer working with international clients, a small manufacturer, or a tech company serving global customers, these schemes can save you thousands of rupees every year. You can reinvest this money to grow your business even more.
Are You An Exporter? You Might Be Surprised!
You think exporting just means shipping containers across oceans? And, it involves navigating foreign trade regulations. Wrong. If you earn money from foreign clients, you're already an exporter! The government recognises this and has schemes for you too. If foreign clients pay you in dollars, euros, pounds, or any foreign currency, you qualify for export benefits.
Who qualifies for the exports from India scheme?
Digital Workers: Freelancers on Upwork, Fiverr, and freelancer.com. Software developers and app creators, or Web developers building sites for overseas clients.
Creative Professionals: Digital marketing agencies providing SEO and social media services. Content creators making videos, articles, and graphics, or online course creators selling educational content internationally.
Service Providers: Business consultants and coaches working with foreign companies. Virtual assistants supporting international entrepreneurs or any specialist serving overseas clients.
You help India's economy by bringing foreign currency into the country. That's why the government created export benefits specifically for service providers like you. Your laptop work counts exactly like factory exports, so you can access the same government benefits.
Top Government Schemes Every Exporter Should Know
RoDTEP: Money Back on Hidden Taxes
What It Is: A scheme that supports Indian exporters in navigating foreign trade. It is a Government scheme that refunds the hidden taxes you pay while making export products. These are taxes not covered by other schemes, like fuel tax during transport and electricity duty.
How It Works: You pay many small taxes while making export products that add up over time. RoDTEP gives you money back for these hidden costs that other schemes don't cover.
Who Should Apply: Any company exporting physical goods, including electronics manufacturers, handicraft makers, food exporters, textile companies, and D2C brands. This covers over 10,780 product types.
Application Process: Apply through the ICEGATE website when filing shipping documents to ensure compliance with customs duties. The process is mostly automated once set up with complete export documentation.
Track Record: The Government has paid over ₹57,976 crores to exporters, proving this scheme actually works and pays real money.
RoSCTL: Special Benefits for Textile Exporters
What It Is: A Specialised scheme for textile and apparel exporters that refunds embedded taxes unique to the textile industry. Designed to make textile exports more competitive globally.
How It Works: Gives you money back specifically for textile-related taxes and duties that other industries don't face. Created especially for the unique tax challenges of textile exporters.
Who Should Apply: Anyone exporting clothes, fabrics, curtains, bed sheets, or any textile products. Includes both large textile manufacturers and small businesses selling handmade clothing internationally.
Benefit Amount: The return rate is between 1.7% to 6%
Important Rules for accessing the EPCG scheme: Both RoDTEP and RoSCTL cannot be used for the same export, so choose the one with the higher benefit. Exporters must apply within one year of shipping or lose the benefit completely.
Application Process: Apply through the DGFT website with shipping bill details to benefit from the export from India scheme. A valid IEC code and GSTIN are needed before starting the application process.
Interest Equalisation Scheme: Cheaper Export Loans
What It is: A Government program providing interest subsidies on export loans to MSMEs and select sectors. It reduces borrowing costs for export activities, making it easier to fulfill international orders.
How It Works: Export orders need big upfront investments before customers pay you. This scheme makes borrowing much cheaper by providing interest subsidies on export loans.
Who Gets Maximum Benefit: Small and medium businesses get up to 3% interest discount on all export loans. MSMEs are the primary focus with the best deals.
Benefit Amount: If you normally pay 12% interest, you might only pay 9% with this scheme.
Types of Credit Covered: Covers both pre-shipment credit (money to prepare orders) and post-shipment credit (money while waiting for payment). It provides comprehensive coverage throughout the export cycle.
Application Process: Apply through the DGFT website with your bank's help. Most banks are familiar with this scheme and can guide you through the process.
ECGC Insurance: Protection from Bad Customers
What It Is: Government-backed insurance protecting exporters from payment defaults, delays, or political risks in foreign countries. Like business insurance specifically for export transactions.
How It Works: Protects you from losing money when international customers don't pay or delay payments, a common issue in foreign trade. Covers your biggest export risk - customer defaults.
Coverage Details: Covers 80-90% of your loss if customers don't pay.
Who Needs This Most: Especially useful for small exporters with new international clients and large orders where defaults would hurt the business. Even experienced exporters use this for risky markets.
What's Covered: Covers payment delays, complete defaults, political problems preventing payment, and currency restrictions that block customer payments.
Application and Claims: Apply through the ECGC website or authorized agents. Many banks offer this with export financing. The issue must be reported within 360 days of the payment due date.
MSME Market Development Assistance
What It Covers: A Government program that pays you back for marketing your business internationally. It includes attending trade shows, creating marketing materials for foreign markets, and virtual participation in global events.
Eligible Expenses: Covers flight tickets, hotel costs, booth rental fees for overseas exhibitions, and printing costs for marketing materials. Website development for international markets and translation costs for product catalogs are also covered.
Benefit Amounts by Region: Get up to ₹2.5 lakhs for events in developed countries like the USA, Germany, and Japan. For developing countries like Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico, the limit is ₹2 lakhs, and ₹1.5 lakhs for SAARC countries.
Annual Limits and Special Benefits can claim benefits for only 3 events per year under the exports from India scheme, so choose wisely for maximum impact. Women entrepreneurs from Northeast India or SC/ST categories get extra support.
Application Process: Apply through the DC-MSME portal or Export Promotion Councils at least 14 days before the event. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement.
Startup India + Market Access Initiative
Perfect For Tech Companies: Designed for tech companies, app developers, digital service providers, and innovative businesses wanting to expand globally. This program recognizes that modern businesses need different support compared to traditional exporters.
What Expenses Are Covered: Covers market research in target countries, getting international certifications like ISO or CE marking, and PR campaigns in foreign markets. Legal costs for international business setup and attending startup conferences abroad are also covered.
Application Requirements: First, register your business on the Startup India portal and get recognised as a startup by DPIIT. Then apply through the relevant Export Promotion Councils or trade bodies specific to your industry.
Annual Participation Limits: You can join up to 3 MAI events per year. These events are carefully selected to provide maximum networking and business development opportunities for Indian startups expanding internationally.
Quick Scheme Overview
Scheme | Best For | Benefit | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
RoDTEP | Physical goods | 0.5-4.3% of export value | |
RoSCTL | Textiles & clothing | 1.7-6% of export value can be saved under the EPCG scheme. | DGFT website |
Interest Equalisation | Export loans | Up to 3% interest discount | Bank + DGFT |
ECGC Insurance | Payment protection | 80-90% default coverage | ECGC website |
MSME MDA | International marketing | ₹1.5-2.5 lakhs per event | MSME portal |
Startup India MAI | Tech companies | Variable benefits | Startup India portal |
What are the documents needed for claiming export benefits?
Getting export benefits is easy once you have these documents:
IEC Code (Your Export ID)
IEC code is a 10-digit number that makes you an official exporter. Without this, you cannot claim any export benefits. Apply online through the DGFT website for ₹500 and get it in 1-2 days.
FIRA (Payment Receipt)
Bank document showing foreign money you received from international clients. Shows how much you got, which currency, and who sent it. Save every FIRA as you need them to claim benefits.
eBRC (Official Government Record)
Digital certificate proving you received a foreign payment. Your bank automatically reports your payments to the government, and you download this certificate from the DGFT website. The government only gives benefits based on eBRC records.
Document | What it is | Cost & time | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|---|
IEC code | 10-digit export identity number | ₹500, 1-2 days | Required for all export benefits |
FIRA | Proof of foreign payment | Free from bank | Shows you received foreign money |
e-BRC | Government payment confirmation | Free, auto-generated | Official proof for claiming benefits |
GST Registration | Business tax number | Varies by state | Needed for most export schemes |
Bank account | Foreign transaction account | Free to open | Must be export-eligible account |
Common Mistakes That Cost Exporters Money
Many exporters miss thousands of rupees in benefits due to simple misunderstandings about customs duties. Here are the biggest mistakes:
Believing You Need a Big Company
Sole proprietors, partnerships, and freelancers can access most schemes. You don't need a private limited company to take advantage of the EPCG scheme. Your individual business matters because you bring foreign money into India.
Worrying About Too Much Paperwork
Most applications are online with streamlined processes. Documents like FIRA and eBRC are generated automatically by banks. The government made these processes digital to encourage applications.
Thinking Schemes Are Only for Physical Goods
Service exporters have multiple schemes available through startup and MSME programs. Digital services, consulting, and freelancing all qualify for benefits.
Waiting Until Your Business Is Bigger
Start claiming benefits from your first export transaction. Small amounts add up and provide funding to grow faster. Delaying means leaving money on the table.
Every export transaction qualifies for some benefit. Don't miss out due to misconceptions about eligibility or complexity.
State Export Schemes You're Missing
Every state has its own export promotion schemes designed for local industries. These are often easier to access than national schemes and offer targeted support.
Maharashtra: Export Promotion Policy
Focuses on textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods with financial assistance and marketing support. Best suited for established manufacturers looking to scale exports with government backing.
Gujarat: Industrial Development Support
Covers all sectors with special export zones and MSME support through Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation. Ideal for small and medium enterprises starting their export journey.
Tamil Nadu: Industrial Policy Incentives
Targets textiles, leather, and automobiles with interest subsidies, export loans, and trade fair participation. Perfect for traditional industries with established supply chains.
Karnataka: Export Promotion Policy
Focuses on IT, electronics, and biotechnology with financial support and international exhibition participation. Best for tech companies and innovative businesses expanding globally.
Punjab: Export Promotion Policy
Supports agro-based industries, textiles, and manufacturing with technology upgrade subsidies and trade promotion assistance. Ideal for agricultural exporters and textile manufacturers.
Andhra Pradesh: Industrial Development Policy
Targets agriculture, textiles, and IT with infrastructure development and financial incentives. Best suited for agri-tech and IT service exporters.
Uttar Pradesh: Export Promotion Policy
Covers cross-sector initiatives with market development support and transport infrastructure enhancement. Perfect for businesses needing logistics and transport support.
State governments process applications faster and understand local challenges better. These schemes can be combined with central government benefits for maximum savings.
How InfinityApp Multiplies Your Savings
Government schemes help cut costs, but while receiving international payments, banks eat up your profits with bad exchange rates and hidden fees. Why work hard to earn dollars just to lose money bringing them to India?
InfinityApp gives you real exchange rates without markup and charges just 0.5%(INCLUSIVE OF ALL), saving you 90% on every payment compared to banks. No surprise fees or hidden charges. Plus, you get instant and free-of-cost FIRA documents and GST invoices for every payment, making government benefit claims super easy.
Infinity helps you open a virtual account in just 5 minutes. This enables you to receive payments in 50+ currencies across the globe, so that your clients can pay you as if paying a local account.
Combine government benefits with a smart payment processing platform like Infinity, and you save money twice. Stop losing your hard-earned money to bank fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can freelancers qualify for export promotion schemes?
Yes, if you receive foreign currency payments from international clients, you're considered a service exporter.
Q2: Do I need a company to access these schemes?
No, many schemes accept sole proprietors, though proper registration helps access more opportunities.
Q3: How long does it take to get an IEC code?
IEC codes are processed within 1-2 working days through the DGFT portal for ₹500.
Q4: Can I claim benefits under multiple schemes?
Some schemes can be combined, but others, like RoDTEP and RoSCTL, cannot be used together.
