Central · Export Incentive
International Cooperation Scheme – Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters (CBFTE)
- Maximum benefit
- 75% of RCMC fee up to ₹20,000; ECGC premium up to ₹10,000 a year; 75% of testing/certification up to ₹1 lakh
- Who can apply
- Micro, Small enterprises, for specific activities only
- Status
- Open; confirm the status before you apply
Is IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters open? Key facts at a glance
IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters (Central): 75% of RCMC fee up to ₹20,000; ECGC premium up to ₹10,000 a year; 75% of testing/certification up to ₹1 lakh.
Last verified: 20 Oct 2026. How we check our information
| Status | Open. Confirm the status before you apply (see the note on this page). |
|---|---|
| Level | Central government scheme |
| Type of benefit | Reimbursement of Export Registration, Insurance and Certification Costs |
| Maximum benefit | 75% of RCMC fee up to ₹20,000; ECGC premium up to ₹10,000 a year; 75% of testing/certification up to ₹1 lakh |
| Project cost range | Not applicable |
| Who can apply | Micro, Small enterprises (Manufacturing, Service, Trading). Only for: Only for micro and small exporters whose Import Export Code was not more than three years old on the date of the export shipment, and who exported in the same financial year. |
| Implementing agency | Ministry of MSME (IC Division); implemented through Export Promotion Councils, ECGC and NSIC |
| Where to apply | International Cooperation Scheme portal |
| Official notification | Read the notification (PDF) |
| Last verified | 20 Oct 2026 · How we check |
What is IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
Under the Capacity Building of First Time MSE Exporters component of the Ministry of MSME's International Cooperation Scheme, a new micro or small exporter can get back part of its first export costs.
These are 75% of the Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) fee paid to an Export Promotion Council (up to ₹20,000), the ECGC Small Exporter's Policy premium (up to ₹10,000 a year), and 75% of the cost of testing and quality certification needed for export (up to ₹1 lakh, for up to three certificates a year).
The EPC, ECGC or NSIC files the claim on the IC portal for the exporter.
What are the key benefits of IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- RCMC fee: 75% of the fee paid to an Export Promotion Council, up to ₹20,000 a year (CBFTE Guidelines para 9.2.1; FAQ 10).
- Export insurance: ECGC Small Exporter's Policy premium, up to ₹10,000 in a financial year.
- Testing and quality certification for export: 75% of the cost, up to ₹1 lakh per unit a year, for at most three certificates obtained in the same year.
What could a unit get under IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
The ceiling the scheme sets. What a particular unit receives depends on its project cost, location and the conditions on this page, so no rupee figure is worked out here.
Up to the scheme’s limits: 75% of RCMC fee up to ₹20,000; ECGC premium up to ₹10,000 a year; 75% of testing/certification up to ₹1 lakh
Illustrative only: this is the scheme’s maximum, not an estimate for your unit. Source: Guidelines of Sub-Component II (CBFTE) of the International Cooperation Scheme, Ministry of MSME OM F.No. 4(8)/2021-IC, July 2022; IC portal FAQs and implementing agencies; D.O. No. 4(3)/2026-IC, 6 October 2026; O/o DC (MSME) OM of 2 April 2026.
Who can apply for IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- Micro and small enterprises with Udyam Registration, including merchant exporters.
- IEC not older than three years on the date of the export shipment, with an export in the same financial year as the claim.
Eligible business types
MSME categories covered
Eligible industries
How do I apply for IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- RCMC fee: through one of the 21 Export Promotion Councils that act as implementing agencies (FIEO, EEPC, AEPC and others), which claim on the IC portal.
- Insurance premium: through ECGC. Testing and certification: through NSIC.
Apply at: International Cooperation Scheme portal
Which documents are needed for IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- Udyam Registration
- IEC (not more than 3 years old on the shipment date)
- RCMC fee receipt, ECGC premium receipt or testing certificate and invoice
- Proof of export shipment in the same financial year (shipping bill, bill of lading or airway bill)
- Proof that the testing or certification was mandatory for the export (for certification claims)
- Self-certification of not availing the Market Access Initiative for the same purpose
Why are IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters applications rejected?
- IEC older than three years on the shipment date
- No export in the financial year of the claim
- Medium enterprise (only micro and small are covered)
- Same cost claimed under another scheme
Subsidy Setu's DPR preparation process addresses all common rejection points before filing.
Frequently asked questions about IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters
- Is IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters open?
- It is listed as open, but confirm the status before you apply: The International Cooperation Scheme was approved for 2021-22 to 2025-26 (to 31 March 2026). A Ministry of MSME memo of 2 April 2026 cites temporary continuation of schemes beyond 31 March 2026, up to 30 September 2026 or until the next scheme is approved, whichever is earlier; when we checked on 20 October 2026 we found no extension beyond that. The IC portal is still active (the Ministry invited trade-fair proposals in October 2026), but we saw no recent notice for this first-time-exporter component, so check with your Export Promotion Council before relying on it. Status last verified: 20 Oct 2026.
- Who can apply for IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- Micro, Small enterprises (Manufacturing, Service, Trading). Only for: Only for micro and small exporters whose Import Export Code was not more than three years old on the date of the export shipment, and who exported in the same financial year.
- What is the maximum benefit under IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- 75% of RCMC fee up to ₹20,000; ECGC premium up to ₹10,000 a year; 75% of testing/certification up to ₹1 lakh.
- How do I apply for IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters?
- 1. RCMC fee: through one of the 21 Export Promotion Councils that act as implementing agencies (FIEO, EEPC, AEPC and others), which claim on the IC portal. 2. Insurance premium: through ECGC. Testing and certification: through NSIC. Apply at: International Cooperation Scheme portal.
Guides on IC Scheme – First-Time Exporters
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