RELIEF Extended to 31 March 2027: What Gulf Exporters Should Do

Verified as on 19 October 2026 against DGFT Notifications 65/2025-26 (19 March 2026), 11/2026-27 (17 April 2026), 21/2026-27 (29 June 2026) and 37/2026-27 (30 September 2026), DGFT Policy Circular 01/2026-27 (15 April 2026), ECGC Public Notice HO/PPD/2026 (23 March 2026) with Addenda 1 to 4 and ECGC’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on RELIEF updated 7 October 2026. Written by Pratham Agarwal, Founder, Rasp International.

Key facts at a glance

Why we wrote this

DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 records that shipping lines and insurers added war risk premiums and conflict surcharges on Gulf cargo. Component II is for the exporter who keeps shipping there and wants the payment risk insured. Notification 37/2026-27 gives the reason for the second extension: “to enhance utilization”.

The headline “RELIEF extended” is easy to misread. Only one of three parts runs to March 2027, and it helps only exporters who take ECGC cover. This post answers one question: should you insure your next Gulf shipment with ECGC before 31 March 2027. The full mission map is in our Export Promotion Mission guide with every scheme and trade notice.

Rasp International has served 500+ exporters since 2019 and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. The official text sits in five DGFT documents and one ECGC notice with four addenda, and they do not agree in every place.

What RELIEF Component II is

RELIEF Component II is a time-limited credit insurance top-up that lets ECGC pay up to 95% of a war or political risk loss to exporters who take a new ECGC policy for Gulf and West Asia shipments, run by ECGC under the Export Promotion Mission. The government repays ECGC the extra, under Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 7.2.

ECGC Limited was called Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited until it was renamed in August 2014, its overview and history pages on ecgc.in state. It is wholly owned by the Government of India, its Public Notice HO/PPD/2026 states. If your buyer does not pay for a covered reason, ECGC pays a percentage of the loss.

Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 7 names standalone policies. DGFT Policy Circular 01/2026-27 adds a new whole turnover policy (one that must cover all your shipments, as ECGC’s product sheets describe it).

What 95% cover means in rupees: an illustrative example

In this illustrative example, an exporter with yearly exports above Rs 5 crore takes ECGC’s Shipments Comprehensive Risks Policy, which ECGC’s product sheet lists at 90% cover. A war-related import restriction stops a Kuwait buyer from paying for a Rs 20 lakh container, and ECGC accepts the loss. At 90%, ECGC pays Rs 18 lakh. With Component II it may pay up to Rs 19 lakh.

The 95% is a ceiling: paragraph 7.2 says “subject to approved terms and verification”. The payout depends on how ECGC works out the loss, your credit limit on the buyer and your papers.

Component II rule by rule

Paragraph numbers below are from the Annexure to DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 unless another document is named.

What is extended and what is not

Notification 37/2026-27 amends only paragraph 7.2. Components I and III keep their original windows, which closed on 15 March 2026.

What most people get wrong about the extension

All of RELIEF is extended. Notification 37/2026-27 extends “Para 7.2 of the Annexure”, which is Component II only.

95% on top of your normal cover. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) release of 19 March 2026 says “over and above the existing ECGC cover”. ECGC Addendum 4 is plainer: policyholders with standard cover below 95% get cover up to 95%.

The cover is free. You still pay the policy premium. Paragraph 7.1 only stops ECGC raising it above the pre-disruption level.

It pays for surcharges or damaged cargo. Component II covers “war-related risks and associated political risks” under paragraph 7.2. Surcharges were Component III. Cargo damage is marine insurance, ECGC’s RELIEF FAQ says.

Where the official documents do not match

Air shipments. Paragraph 7.2 refers to the “onboard bill of lading and airway bill” but lists only container cargo. ECGC’s RELIEF FAQ counts the airway bill date for Component II, and ECGC Addendum 1 excludes air only from Component III. Check with your ECGC branch before you rely on Component II for an air shipment.

Which policies count. Policy Circular 01/2026-27 covers a whole turnover policy taken “for the first time”. ECGC’s FAQ speaks of policies starting on or after 16 March 2026. Neither deals with a renewal. Check with your ECGC branch whether a renewed policy counts.

A wrong number in a listing. The DGFT notification listing describes Notification 21/2026-27 as amending “Notification No. 35/2025-26”. The signed notification amends 65/2025-26. Go by the signed PDF.

Who qualifies and who does not

• You hold a new ECGC standalone policy, or a whole turnover policy taken for the first time on or after 16 March 2026 (Policy Circular 01/2026-27).
• The goods go to, or tranship through, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Egypt or Jordan.
• The cargo is a full container load, a less than container load or reefer cargo.
• The onboard bill of lading or airway bill is dated 16 March 2026 to 31 March 2027 (Notification 37/2026-27).
• The loss comes from war-related or associated political risks in those countries.

• Energy shipments (paragraph 7.2).
• Back-to-town cargo, which stays under normal policy cover (paragraph 7.3).
• A shipment with no ECGC policy.
• Physical damage to the goods (ECGC RELIEF FAQ).
• A shipment that sailed before your new policy started.

Edge cases worth checking

Goods that only tranship in the Gulf

Paragraph 7 covers goods destined “either for delivery or for transshipment” to the listed countries, but paragraph 7.2 ties cover to risks “in the affected countries”. If your buyer sits outside the list, check with your ECGC branch whether a loss at the buyer’s end counts.

A container loaded on 31 March 2027

The onboard bill of lading or airway bill date counts (paragraph 7.2), not the invoice or shipping bill date. A bill of lading dated 1 April 2027 falls outside the window in Notification 37/2026-27.

Fuel related goods

Neither Notification 65/2025-26 nor ECGC’s public notice defines “energy shipments”. If your goods are fuel related, check with your ECGC branch whether your Harmonized System (HS) code counts as energy.

How to take Component II cover, step by step

1. Check the shipment fits. Confirm the country and cargo type, rule out energy goods and plan a bill of lading dated by 31 March 2027 (Notification 37/2026-27).
2. Choose the policy with your ECGC branch. ECGC’s product pages carry a proposal form for each policy. Check with your ECGC branch which new policy fits your Gulf buyers and how to lodge the proposal (ECGC branch locator).
3. Get a credit limit on each buyer. ECGC’s product sheets list this as an exporter duty. A check on a new overseas buyer helps first, and our post on foreign buyer red flags before shipping lists the messages that should stop a shipment.
4. Pay the premium before the goods sail. ECGC’s Shipments Comprehensive Risks Policy sheet says premium is payable in advance before the risk starts.
5. Ship and keep the onboard bill of lading. Its date decides eligibility.
6. Declare every shipment. ECGC’s whole turnover product sheets ask for a monthly declaration by the 15th of the next month.
7. Report unpaid bills. ECGC’s product sheets set 30 days after the due date for the Shipments Comprehensive Risks Policy and 60 days for the Small Exporters Policy.
8. File the claim. Sign in at www.ecgcltd.in and use the RELIEF-I and II link in the Policy Claim Module (ECGC Public Notice HO/PPD/2026 paragraph 5).

The lapse rule. ECGC’s product sheets set the claim deadline at 360 days from the export bill’s due date or 540 days from the policy’s end, whichever is earlier. Check with your ECGC branch whether any separate deadline applies to the RELIEF part of a claim.

The fast track. None exists. Paragraph 11 says claims are processed in order of receipt, subject to eligibility, verification and funds.

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Five groups this extension affects

Container exporters selling on credit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Component II lowers the share of a war or political risk loss they carry. See our guides to the UAE export route and Saudi Arabia compliance.

MSME exporters who used Component III. The surcharge refund covered only bills of lading dated 14 February to 15 March 2026 (paragraph 8.2). For new shipments, RELIEF now helps only through ECGC cover.

Perishable exporters. Paragraph 7.2 names reefer containers for perishable cargo.

Exporters who tranship through the Gulf. Paragraph 7 counts transshipment, subject to the edge case above.

Uttar Pradesh (UP) MSME exporters. Government Order 830/18-4-2025 dated 6 November 2025 pays up to 30% of the yearly premium paid to ECGC, capped at Rs 5 lakh per unit per year, claimed quarterly within 90 days. The order bars a benefit of a similar nature for the same purpose from any central or state scheme. RELIEF refunds no premium, but no document says how the bar applies. Check with the Export Promotion Bureau UP before you claim the premium refund on a policy that also carries RELIEF cover. Our UP ECGC premium refund guide has the steps, and our post on which ECGC policies count for the UP premium subsidy sorts policy types.

Illustrative composite: the policy that started a week late

This is an illustrative composite, not a client. A handicraft exporter ships a container to Qatar with a bill of lading dated 10 November 2026. His new policy starts on 17 November. In January a war-related transfer restriction holds up payment. ECGC’s policy form No. 101, clause 3, covers shipments made during the policy period. This one was not. The point of no return was the bill of lading date.

How Rasp International helps

We are an export consultant, not an agent (see how we work). We handle ECGC and RELIEF claims for clients. We check the destination, cargo type and sailing date against the DGFT notifications and the ECGC rules, prepare the papers in the unit’s name and file on its behalf. ECGC decides every claim.

• We sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and a service level agreement (SLA) with every client.
• The client and we both hold the portal logins, kept safe and confidential.
• We file on the client’s behalf in the client unit’s name, and give an authority letter only when a client asks.
• We hold no customs broker (customs house agent, CHA) licence. Licensed CHA partners across India handle customs clearance.

Honest limits

• Component II does not refund freight or war risk surcharges on new shipments. That was Component III, closed since 15 March 2026 (paragraph 8.2).
• Component II does not insure the goods. Cargo damage is marine insurance, and back-to-town cargo is excluded (paragraph 7.3).
• Component II does not promise payment. Claims are paid on actuals, subject to budget and verification, in order of receipt (paragraphs 9 and 11).

What Is Not Yet Notified, Checked on 19 October 2026

• Any extension beyond the 31 March 2027 date in Notification 37/2026-27. Check with the DGFT regional authority or your ECGC branch.
• The meaning of “energy shipments” and “standalone policy”. Check with your ECGC branch.
• Whether air shipments are covered under Component II. Check with your ECGC branch.
• Any negative list of goods under paragraph 10. We found none. Check with your ECGC branch.
• How much of the Rs 159 crore in paragraph 7.4 is left. Check with your ECGC branch.
• Whether the UP premium refund can sit with RELIEF cover. Check with the Export Promotion Bureau UP.
• Any filing deadline for pending Component I and III claims. Check with your ECGC branch.

Frequently asked questions

Is the RELIEF scheme extended to 31 March 2027?

Only Component II is extended. DGFT Notification 37/2026-27 dated 30 September 2026 moves its shipment window to 31 March 2027. Under paragraphs 6.2 and 8.2 of Notification 65/2025-26, Component I for insured exporters and Component III for uninsured MSME exporters covered shipments up to 15 March 2026 only.

What does 95% ECGC cover mean under RELIEF?

ECGC may pay up to 95% of an accepted loss from war-related or associated political risks, instead of your policy’s normal percentage. DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 7.2 sets this ceiling, subject to approved terms and verification. It is not 95% of the invoice value.

Which countries are covered under RELIEF Component II?

DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 names the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran and Yemen. DGFT Notification 11/2026-27 adds Egypt and Jordan. Delivery and transshipment both count. For any other country, check with your ECGC branch before shipping.

Do I pay extra premium for RELIEF Component II cover?

No extra premium is charged for the higher cover. DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 7.1 says ECGC must not raise the premium above the pre-disruption level, and ECGC’s RELIEF FAQ updated 7 October 2026 repeats it. You still pay the normal premium for your policy.

Does my old ECGC whole turnover policy qualify for Component II?

Not clearly. DGFT Policy Circular 01/2026-27 covers a whole turnover policy taken for the first time on or after 16 March 2026. ECGC’s FAQ speaks of policies starting on or after that day. Renewals are not addressed. Check with your ECGC branch before you rely on one.

Are air shipments covered under RELIEF Component II?

The official texts differ. DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 7.2 mentions the airway bill but lists only container cargo. ECGC’s RELIEF FAQ counts the airway bill date for Component II and excludes air only under Component III. Check with your ECGC branch before an air shipment.

Does RELIEF Component II depend on my HS code?

No HS code list applies. The only goods exclusion in DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 7.2 is energy shipments, which it does not define. We found no negative list of goods on 19 October 2026. Check with your ECGC branch for fuel related goods.

Can a non-MSME exporter use RELIEF Component II?

Yes. ECGC’s RELIEF FAQ updated 7 October 2026 says non-MSME exporters are eligible under Components I and II, but not Component III. DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 sets no size test for Component II. What matters is a new ECGC policy, an eligible destination and an eligible date.

How do I file a claim under RELIEF Component II?

Sign in to the ECGC customer portal at www.ecgcltd.in with your policy login and file through the RELIEF-I and II link in the Policy Claim Module, as ECGC Public Notice HO/PPD/2026 sets out. ECGC’s RELIEF FAQ says no processing charge is payable.

What documents does a RELIEF Component II claim need?

The documents in the ECGC claim form for your policy. ECGC Public Notice HO/PPD/2026 adds its paragraph 6 papers where applicable, such as the contract, invoice, packing list, shipping bill, onboard bill of lading and buyer letters. ECGC says it examines these claims holistically.

Can I still get the 50% freight surcharge refund under RELIEF?

Only for old shipments. Component III, under DGFT Notification 65/2025-26 paragraph 8.2, covered uninsured MSME exporters for onboard bills of lading dated 14 February to 15 March 2026. Notification 37/2026-27 did not extend it. For a pending Component III claim, check with your ECGC branch.

Will a RELIEF claim affect my ECGC claim to premium ratio?

The extra part will not. ECGC Addendum 1 dated 25 March 2026 says the additional amount paid under Components I and II will not affect your policy’s claim to premium ratio. It names only the additional amount, so ask your ECGC branch about the normal part.

Can a UP exporter also get 30% of the ECGC premium back?

Possibly, but check first. Government Order 830/18-4-2025 dated 6 November 2025 refunds up to 30% of the premium paid to ECGC, capped at Rs 5 lakh a year. The order bars a similar benefit for the same purpose. Check with the Export Promotion Bureau UP before claiming both.

Do I need a consultant to get RELIEF Component II cover?

No. Any exporter can take an ECGC policy and file a claim on the ECGC portal directly. A consultant helps with matching bill of lading dates to the window, monthly declarations and a complete claim file. ECGC’s public notice gives RELIEF2026@ecgc.in for RELIEF questions.

What happens if my bill of lading is dated after 31 March 2027?

That shipment falls outside Component II as notified today. DGFT Notification 37/2026-27 extends the window only to 31 March 2027, and the onboard bill of lading or airway bill date is the one that counts. Your policy still pays its normal percentage on a covered loss.

Your checklist for this week

• List every Gulf shipment planned before 31 March 2027 with its country, cargo and expected bill of lading date.
• Call your ECGC branch about which new policy fits, its percentage of cover and whether your goods count as energy.
• Request a credit limit on each Gulf buyer before the first sailing under the new policy.
• Mark the 15th of every month for ECGC shipment declarations.

Sources

1. Tier 1. DGFT Notification 65/2025-26, 19 March 2026: content.dgft.gov.in.
2. Tier 1. DGFT Notification 11/2026-27, 17 April 2026: content.dgft.gov.in.
3. Tier 1. DGFT Notification 21/2026-27, 29 June 2026: content.dgft.gov.in.
4. Tier 1. DGFT Notification 37/2026-27, 30 September 2026: content.dgft.gov.in.
5. Tier 1. DGFT Policy Circular 01/2026-27, 15 April 2026: content.dgft.gov.in.
6. Tier 1. PIB releases of 19 March 2026 and 2 October 2026: launch and extension.
7. Tier 1. Government of Uttar Pradesh, Government Order 830/18-4-2025, 6 November 2025. Read from the Hindi original.
8. Tier 2. ECGC Public Notice HO/PPD/2026, 23 March 2026, with Addenda 1 to 4 (25 March, 22 April, 7 July and 7 October 2026): main.ecgc.in.
9. Tier 2. ECGC RELIEF FAQ, updated 7 October 2026: main.ecgc.in.
10. Tier 2. ECGC product sheets, Shipments Comprehensive Risks Policy and Small Exporters Policy.
11. Tier 2. ECGC Limited, company overview and history pages (former name, renamed August 2014), read 25 October 2026: overview and history.
12. Tier 2. ECGC Shipments (Comprehensive Risks) Policy form No. 101: main.ecgc.in.

This is general guidance. Rules change. Check the current notification or order, or speak to us, before you act.

Related: Export Promotion Mission guide | ECGC premium refund for UP exporters | India UAE CEPA guide for exporters