The Indian government has extended the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme by six months until March 31, 2027, to support exporters facing rising freight costs, higher insurance premiums and disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Launched on March 19, 2026, the scheme aims to strengthen export resilience amid uncertainty along the Gulf and wider West Asian maritime corridors. The extension follows an earlier revision that continued the scheme until September 30, 2026.

Under Component II of RELIEF, eligible exporters can receive 95% risk coverage through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) for shipments to specified regions. The benefit applies to standalone and whole-turnover policies obtained on or after March 16, 2026.

The scheme also protects eligible exporters against increases in insurance premiums beyond pre-disruption levels during the covered period. Coverage includes full container load (FCL), less than container load (LCL) and refrigerated cargo, while energy shipments are excluded.

The extension is intended to help exporters manage additional logistics expenses and shipping-related risks while maintaining trade operations in affected markets. The textile and apparel industry, along with other export-oriented sectors, could benefit from greater support against disruptions affecting international shipments.

However, exporters have sought further clarification regarding the documentation required to claim benefits, particularly shipping line bills. The Commerce Department has advised exporters to submit claims and supporting documents through the ECGC customer portal.

The department has also made guidance available through video tutorials on ECGC’s official YouTube channel, covering user ID and password generation, exporter registration and the claims submission process.

The extended deadline provides exporters with additional time to access the scheme’s support as uncertainty surrounding maritime routes, freight costs and insurance conditions continues to affect international trade.