The DGFT’s LIFT Scheme provides 30% reimbursement of eligible inland freight costs to MSME exporters from notified districts, subject to a ₹20 lakh annual cap per IEC.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, introduced the Logistics Interventions for Freight & Transport (LIFT) Scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) – NIRYAT DISHA, effective 20 February 2026.
The scheme targets MSMEs operating from geographically disadvantaged and low export-intensity districts by reducing structural logistics costs.
Objective of the LIFT Scheme
The LIFT Scheme aims to:
- Offset inland freight costs from remote districts to ports and ICDs
- Mitigate locational disadvantages of hinterland MSMEs
- Improve logistics competitiveness
- Promote balanced regional export growth
The scheme is currently operational on a pilot basis, and its scope may evolve based on implementation outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria for MSME Exporters
An exporter must satisfy all of the following conditions:
- Valid Udyam Registration
- Active Importer Exporter Code (IEC)
- Not listed in the Denied Entity List
- Located in a district notified under Annexure V
- Exporting products listed under Annexure VI (ITC(HS) codes)
Both district and product eligibility are mandatory.
Notified Districts/States/UTs Under Annexure V
All districts in the following States and Union Territories qualify:
- Assam
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Tripura
- Uttarakhand
- Bihar
Eligibility is strictly notification-based. Exporters must verify the latest DGFT notification before filing claims.
Eligible Products Under Annexure VI
Reimbursement applies only to notified ITC(HS) codes. Illustrative product categories include:
- Walnuts, apples, kiwi, litchi, pineapple, mandarin oranges
- Makhana, large cardamom, Mizo ginger, saffron, mixed spices
- King Chilli (Bhut Jolokia), cinnamon, millets
- Bakery products, jams, fruit purée, pickles
- Bamboo articles, wooden handicrafts
- Silk textiles (Muga, Ryndia, Mizo silk)
- Kullu and Pashmina shawls
- Handmade carpets
- Knitted socks and gloves
- Agarbatti
Product classification must exactly match the notified ITC(HS) code to avoid rejection.
Reimbursement Structure Under LIFT
Core financial parameters for reimbursement under LIFT Scheme:
- Reimbursement Rate: 30% of eligible freight cost
- Annual Cap: ₹20 lakh per IEC per financial year
- Freight Ceiling: Freight considered only up to 20% of FOB value
- Minimum Distance: 200 km between origin and ICD/CFS/Port/ACC
- Eligible Modes: Road and Rail (Air permitted for North-East districts)
GST and other indirect taxes are excluded from eligible freight cost.
Eligible Freight Movement
Freight reimbursement covers transport from MSME manufacturing or business premises to:
- Inland Container Depot (ICD)
- Container Freight Station (CFS)
- Seaport
- Air Cargo Complex (ACC)
The 200 km minimum distance must be documented and verifiable.
Two-Stage Application Process
The LIFT Scheme operates through a mandatory online filing system:
Stage 1: Intent-to-Claim (IC)
- Must be filed before booking transport services
- Generates a Unique Identification Number (UIN)
- Valid for 12 months or until the end of the financial year (whichever is earlier)
- Reimbursement Claim must be filed within 6 months of IC issuance
Failure to file IC prior to availing freight services results in ineligibility.
Stage 2: Reimbursement Claim (RC)
The Reimbursement Claim must be filed after:
- Completion of export
- Generation of shipping bill
Required Documents
- Transport invoice
- Proof of payment
- Shipping bill
- E-Way bill
- Self-declaration confirming no double benefit
Claims must be filed quarterly on the DGFT portal.
Key Compliance Conditions
Exporters must ensure:
- Freight does not exceed 20% of FOB value for eligibility computation
- No duplication of benefits under any Central or State scheme
- Transport services are availed on or after 20 February 2026
- No claims for deemed exports or exports to SEZ units
- Annual ₹20 lakh cap per IEC is monitored
MSMEs that graduate out of MSME status remain eligible for three years, as specified.
LIFT Scheme Compliance Checklist
Exporters should implement structured compliance controls:
1. Pre-Eligibility Verification
- Confirm district eligibility under Annexure V
- Confirm ITC(HS) code under Annexure VI
- Verify active IEC and Udyam Registration
- Confirm entity not in Denied Entity List
- Validate minimum 200 km freight movement
2. Before Booking Freight
- File online Intent-to-Claim
- Obtain UIN
- Verify projected freight ≤ 20% of FOB value
- Check available headroom under ₹20 lakh cap
3. During Freight Movement
- Ensure invoice issued in exporter’s legal name
- Show GST separately
- Retain route documentation evidencing 200 km
- Document transport mode
4. After Export
- Generate shipping bill
- Retain E-Way bill
- Preserve freight invoice and bank payment proof
- Confirm freight eligibility computation
5. Filing the Reimbursement Claim
- File within 6 months of IC issuance
- Upload required documents
- Submit declaration confirming no double benefit
Common Rejection Triggers
Claims are frequently rejected for:
- Filing IC after booking freight
- Including GST in eligible cost
- Freight below 200 km
- Freight exceeding 20% of FOB value
- Incorrect ITC(HS) classification
- Missing linkage between freight invoice and shipping bill
Freight Reimbursement Calculation Formula
Eligible Freight = Lower of:
- Actual freight (excluding taxes), or
- 20% of FOB value
Reimbursement = 30% × Eligible Freight, subject to ₹20 lakh annual cap per IEC.
Recommendations for MSME Exporters
MSME exporters located in notified districts should:
- Verify district and product eligibility before shipment planning
- File Intent-to-Claim before booking transport
- Maintain complete freight documentation trails
- Monitor cumulative reimbursement against ₹20 lakh cap
- Internally validate the 200 km distance condition
The LIFT Scheme provides structured relief for inland freight costs. However, reimbursement depends entirely on procedural discipline, accurate documentation, and strict compliance with DGFT notifications.
Source: DGFT Trade Notice 29/2025-26 dated 20/05/2026 regarding Guidelines on LIFT Scheme under EPM for 30% Freight Reimbursement to MSME Exporters