Companies that have exported goods until February 5 this year from special economic zones (SEZs) and export-oriented units (EOUs) can claim benefits under the RoDTEP scheme, according to a notification.

Earlier, the exporters were allowed to seek benefits under the scheme till December 31, 2024. Under Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), various central and state duties, taxes, and levies imposed on input products, among others, are refunded to exporters. The current RoDTEP rates are in the range of 0.3-4.3 per cent.

"The support under RoDTEP scheme for exports of products manufactured from AAs (advance authorisation), SEZs (special economic zones) and EOUs (export-oriented units) has been extended upto February 5, 2025," the DGFT has said in a notification on March 20. 

However, from February 6 onwards, exports from these categories will no longer be eligible for RoDTEP support, the DGFT said. The support under the scheme for other categories, that is from domestic tariff area (outside SEZs and EOUs) shall continue to avail benefits under the scheme till September 30 this year.

According to trade experts, the retrospective extension means some exporters who didn't opt for RoDTEP after December 2024 may lose out on refunds. 

The withdrawal of the interest equalisation scheme and its merger with the export promotion mission is going to adversely affect the Indian exporters and it should be extended till the operationalization of the mission, according to a report of a Parliamentary panel. The mission which was announced in the budget has an outlay of Rs 2,250 crore. The Department of Commerce has informed the Standing Committee of Parliament on Commerce that under the EPM, it is working to carve out an umbrella scheme with various components, in consultation with the ministries of Finance and MSME.