|
DGFT extends EPM RELIEF eligibility timeline to March 2027 to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruption
|
|
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
October 05 , 2026
|
|
|
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the eligibility and validity timeline under Component II of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) up to March 31, 2027, providing additional time to Indian exporters facing continuing logistics disruptions arising from the West Asia crisis.
The extension to March 31, 2027 is expected to provide pharmaceutical exporters, with a longer window to manage shipments affected by continuing regional logistics uncertainties and to make use of the support framework available under the EPM RELIEF intervention. The main objective is to mitigate extraordinary freight hikes, heightened insurance premiums, and war-related logistics risks for shipments to West Asia, the Gulf, and North Africa.
The DGFT introduced the RELIEF scheme under the EPM to support Indian exporters affected by maritime disruptions in the Gulf and West Asia.
In a notification dated September 30, 2026, the Department of Commerce (DoC) amended Notification No. 65/2025-26 dated March 19, 2026 and Notification No. 21/2026-27 dated June 29, 2026 relating to the EPM RELIEF intervention. The extension specifically covers shipments meant for delivery or trans-shipment under Component II.
The move is very significant development for pharma exporters as international logistics disruptions can affect shipment schedules, delivery commitments, trans-shipment arrangements and the movement of medicines and pharmaceutical products through key regional trade routes.
The DGFT stated that Para 7.2 of the Annexure to Notification No. 65/2025-26, relating to the eligibility and validity criteria under Component II, will now remain applicable up to March 31, 2027. The extension has been introduced with the objective of improving utilisation of the intervention and facilitating greater resilience in India's export trade.
The notification has been issued by the Central Government under Sections 3 and 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time.
The DGFT said the extension is intended to “support Indian exporters and mitigate logistics challenges arising out of the continuing West Asia Crisis.” The intervention is aimed at addressing export-related logistics difficulties and providing exporters with a longer eligibility window amid disruptions affecting international movement of goods.
For pharmaceutical exporters, the extended timeline provides additional operational flexibility for shipments involving delivery or trans-shipment where logistics constraints linked to the West Asia region could affect movement. This assumes significance for exporters dealing with time-sensitive pharmaceutical consignments, including medicines and other healthcare products that require coordinated international transportation and delivery arrangements.
The extension also provides additional time for eligible exporters to utilise the Component II intervention within the revised validity period rather than being restricted to the earlier timeline. The DGFT has, however, clarified that all other provisions of Notification No. 65/2025-26 dated March 19, 2026, as amended from time to time, will remain unchanged.
The latest notification therefore changes only the applicable eligibility timeline under Component II, while retaining the other provisions and conditions of the existing RELIEF intervention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has issued a public advisory urging citizens to report any misleadi ...
|
|
|
|
|