Trade Fair Subsidy for UP Exporters: Get 75% of Stall Rent and Air Travel Back

Verified as on 5 October 2026 against Government Order No. 811/18-4-2025 dated 6 November 2025 and Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Policy 2025-30 (Government Order No. 684/18-4-2025 dated 3 September 2025). Written by Pratham Agarwal, Founder, Rasp International.

UP trade fair stall and travel claim: the short answer

Under Government Order No. 811/18-4-2025 dated 6 November 2025, known as the Quick Export Development Incentive Scheme (त्वरित निर्यात विकास प्रोत्साहन योजना) or the UP Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) scheme, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) exporters in Uttar Pradesh can claim a 75 percent cash reimbursement of their actual expenditure on stall space rent and travel for exhibiting at international trade fairs held abroad or within India. The reimbursement is paid directly into the exporter bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), subject to state budget availability and committee approval.

The statutory reimbursement ceilings for trade fair participation are:

• Foreign trade fairs abroad (Category 1a and 1b): 75 percent of actual space rent up to Rs 3,25,000 (Rs 3.25 lakh) plus 75 percent of economy class air travel up to Rs 1,25,000 (Rs 1.25 lakh) for one person. The maximum possible reimbursement for a single foreign fair is Rs 4,50,000 (Rs 4.50 lakh).
• International trade fairs held in India (Category 3a and 3b): 75 percent of actual space rent up to Rs 75,000 plus 75 percent of economy class bus, rail or air travel up to Rs 30,000 for one person. The maximum possible reimbursement for a single domestic international fair is Rs 1,05,000 (Rs 1.05 lakh).
• Virtual international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets (Category 2): 75 percent of total participation fee up to Rs 25,000 per fair.
• Overall enterprise ceiling (Clause 4): An individual exporting unit can claim across multiple fairs and other MDA categories up to a combined maximum of Rs 25,00,000 (Rs 25.00 lakh) in any single financial year.

The rule that decides everything: every claim must be submitted online on the official trade portal within 120 calendar days from the date on which the trade fair concludes. The 120 day clock starts on the final day of the exhibition, not the invoice date, not the payment date and not your return travel date. Furthermore, the exporting unit must hold active registrations with both the Export Promotion Bureau UP (UPEPB) and the UP Export Promotion Council (UPEPC) before participating in the fair. Claims filed on day 121 or by unregistered units are legally time-barred and rejected without exception.

Key facts table: UP trade fair subsidy under GO 811

Why trade fairs are the lifeblood of Uttar Pradesh exporters

Uttar Pradesh is one of India leading merchandise export powerhouses, generating substantial foreign exchange through specialized manufacturing clusters. Under the state flagship One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, regional manufacturing centers have earned global recognition for artisanal and industrial excellence:

• Agra: Leather footwear, shoe uppers, leather goods, travel accessories and stone inlay artware.
• Moradabad: Brass handicrafts, metal artware, cast aluminum home decor, EPNS silverware and artisanal ironware.
• Bhadohi and Mirzapur: Hand-knotted woollen carpets, tufted rugs, durries and natural fibre floor coverings.
• Noida and Greater Noida: Readymade garments, fashion accessories, IT hardware, electronics manufacturing and engineering components.
• Kanpur: Saddlery and harness equipment, finished leather, industrial safety footwear, chemicals and technical textiles.
• Varanasi: Silk brocades, handloom textiles, zari work and wooden lacquerware.
• Firozabad: Handcrafted glassware, artistic chandeliers, glass containers and ornamental beads.
• Saharanpur: Hand-carved wooden furniture, wooden decorative objects and brass-inlaid woodcraft.
• Aligarh: High-security brass and steel locks, builders hardware and precision architectural ironmongery.
• Lucknow: Hand-embroidered chikan textiles, zardozi apparel and natural botanical attar perfumes.

For these manufacturing clusters, participation in international exhibitions is not merely a promotional activity: it is the primary commercial channel through which foreign distributors, department store buyers, global buying houses and overseas wholesalers source merchandise. A trade fair allows an exporter to present tactile product finishes, demonstrate structural durability, conduct real-time price negotiations and sign bulk export contracts.

However, the financial burden of exhibiting on global platforms is formidable. Booking a modest 9 square metre or 12 square metre exhibition booth at major international trade shows: such as Ambiente Frankfurt, Heimtextil, Expo Riva Schuh Italy, ASD Market Week Las Vegas, Magic Las Vegas, Index Dubai, Gulfood, Canton Fair China or Global Sources Hong Kong: typically costs between Rs 4,00,000 and Rs 8,00,000 for space rent alone. When intercontinental economy flights, visa fees, booth decoration and sample freight are factored in, an enterprise easily incurs Rs 7,00,000 to Rs 12,00,000 per fair.

For small and medium manufacturing enterprises, this high capital commitment represents a serious operational hazard. Recognizing that private MSMEs cannot expand into non-traditional markets without marketing de-risking, the Government of Uttar Pradesh formulated Government Order No. 811/18-4-2025. By providing 75 percent financial reimbursement on stall rent and passenger transit, the state government absorbs three-quarters of the baseline market entry cost, allowing regional manufacturers to compete directly with global suppliers on international fairgrounds.

Statutory breakdown: Government Order No. 811 clause by clause

Government Order No. 811/18-4-2025 is a comprehensive statutory instrument containing thirteen numbered operational clauses and a scheduled table of nine expenditure categories. To navigate the scheme without administrative errors, exporters and trade managers must understand the specific legal mandate of each clause:

What GO 811 pays: the trade fair categories in detail

Clause 3 of Government Order No. 811 schedules nine distinct reimbursement headings. Of these, five headings directly govern trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-seller meets. Exporters must clearly differentiate between the rules governing foreign exhibitions and domestic events.

The financial mathematics of fair claims: space rent and airfare rules

Calculating the eligible reimbursement under GO 811 requires strict application of statutory formulas. Many exporters mistakenly assume that because they spent Rs 6,00,000 on space rent and Rs 2,00,000 on flights, they will receive 75 percent of Rs 8,00,000 (Rs 6,00,000). That assumption is incorrect because individual category caps apply independently before aggregate limits are evaluated.

The statutory formulas

For an individual foreign fair claim under Category 1(a) and 1(b), the reimbursement is computed using clear governing formulas:

Formula 1: Eligible space rent assistance
Eligible Space Rent Assistance = Minimum of [75 percent of Actual Space Rent Incurred, Rs 3,25,000]

Formula 2: Eligible travel assistance
Eligible Travel Assistance = Minimum of [75 percent of Actual Economy Airfare, Rs 1,25,000, Actual Net Space Rent Borne by Exporter]

Formula 3: Combined fair claim payout
Combined Fair Payout = Eligible Space Rent Assistance + Eligible Travel Assistance

The critical limiting factor in Formula 2 is the statutory mandate in Clause 3 Category 1(b): “सहायता की राशि निर्यातक द्वारा स्थान किराये पर किए गए व्यय से अधिक नहीं होगी” (The assistance amount shall not exceed the expenditure incurred by the exporter on space rent). If an exporter books a heavily subsidized booth through a promotional council where their out-of-pocket space rent is only Rs 90,000, their maximum travel reimbursement is capped at Rs 90,000 even if their airfare was Rs 1,80,000 and 75 percent would otherwise equal Rs 1,35,000.

Worked numerical examples: foreign and domestic fairs

The following detailed models illustrate how the mathematical rules apply across various commercial scenarios. Figures reflect standard trade fair expenditures:

One enterprise, one financial year: cumulative annual ceiling model

An ambitious exporting unit from Moradabad or Agra may exhibit at multiple domestic and overseas events throughout a financial year while also upgrading its digital infrastructure and testing products. The model below demonstrates how multiple claims interact with the aggregate annual ceiling of Rs 25,00,000 established under Clause 4:

As demonstrated in Claim 7, when an enterprise approaches the Rs 25,00,000 ceiling, the final disbursement is curtailed to the exact balance remaining under Clause 4. Any subsequent expenditure incurred during that financial year must be borne entirely by the exporter.

The 120 day clock: when it starts, how it runs and why claims fail

The single greatest operational hazard in the UP MDA scheme is Clause 5 sub-clause 1. The clause provides:

योजना के अन्तर्गत वित्तीय सहायता प्राप्त करने हेतु कार्य सम्पादित होने के 120 दिन के अन्दर आवेदन ऑनलाइन प्रस्तुत किया जाना अनिवार्य होगा।
(To obtain financial assistance under the scheme, it shall be mandatory to submit the application online within 120 days of the execution of the work.)

For exhibitions, buyer-seller meets and trade fairs, the order explicitly defines the point of execution: the date on which the fair officially concludes. The countdown does not start when you book the space, does not start when you pay the organizer invoice, does not start when the bank issues a foreign inward remittance certificate and does not start when your flight returns home. It starts on the official final day of the fair.

Dated timeline examples: calendar countdown analysis

The table below provides exact calendar deadlines across typical trade fair schedules. Note that the 120 day period refers to calendar days, including public holidays and Sundays:

The 15 day query trap under Clause 5(4)

Meeting the initial 120 day filing deadline is only the first hurdle. Once your application is reviewed by the District Industries Promotion and Entrepreneurship Development Centre, the Deputy Commissioner Industry may raise an online deficiency notice (query) regarding an illegible document, a bank debit mismatch or missing boarding passes.

Clause 5(4) imposes a rigid statutory response window: exactly 15 calendar days from the date the query is communicated online. If the exporter fails to upload the required clarification and documents within 15 days, the scheme software automatically cancels the file. The order provides no provision for condonation of delay, no extension mechanism and no administrative review for files cancelled due to query non-response.

Not yet confirmed: areas of administrative interpretation

In accordance with Rasp International strict policy of factual accuracy, exporters must know where the written text of GO 811 is silent or subject to administrative discretion. When consultants promise reimbursement on items not clearly defined in the government order, exporters face sudden rejections.

The complete paperwork and evidentiary dossier

Clause 5(2) mandates that complete supporting documents must be uploaded with the application. Under Clause 6, the Authorised Committee reviews and approves the evidentiary dossier. Rasp International maintains an exhaustive compliance checklist to ensure that not a single document is missing prior to submission:

1. Institutional identity and state registration records

• Udyam Registration Certificate: Verifying MSME manufacturing or service status, with enterprise location inside Uttar Pradesh.
• Importer Exporter Code (IEC): Issued by DGFT, showing active operational status and matching business address.
• UPEPB Registration Certificate: Active registration with the Export Promotion Bureau, Uttar Pradesh, dated prior to the fair commencement.
• UPEPC Membership Certificate: Active membership with the UP Export Promotion Council, dated prior to the fair commencement.
• GSTIN Certificate & PAN: Entity PAN card and valid Goods and Services Tax registration certificate.
• Bank Account Verification: Cancelled bank cheque and bank mandate form confirming the active current account details registered under DBT.

2. Stall space rent verification documentation

• Organizer Stall Allotment Letter: Official booth confirmation stating exhibitor name, stall number, booth dimensions and total area allocated.
• Original Space Rent Tax Invoice: Commercial invoice issued by the organizer detailing space charges, shell scheme amenities and applicable taxes.
• Bank Payment Trail: Bank account statement highlighting the debit transaction for stall payment, accompanied by a Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC) or Foreign Outward Remittance Swift Copy (Form A2) for overseas currency payments. Payment must originate strictly from the applicant firm bank account; cash payments or personal credit card payments are rejected.
• Official Exhibitor Directory / Catalogue Entry: Copy of the official fair directory or online catalog showing the company profile, booth number and product listing.
• High-Resolution Stall Photographs: Clear photographs of the completed stall showing the company name on the fascia board, product display shelves and active buyer meetings during fair hours.

3. Travel documentation for the designated representative

• Confirmed Flight / Railway Ticket: Showing economy class fare, complete flight routing, passenger name and itemized tax breakdown. Business class or premium economy tickets are ineligible.
• Original Boarding Passes: Boarding passes for both outbound and return journeys. For flights, both connecting sector passes must be preserved (e.g. Delhi to Dubai and Dubai to Frankfurt).
• Valid Passport Copy: Copy of personal details pages (front and back) of the traveller, proving status as proprietor, active partner or listed director.
• Immigration Departure and Arrival Stamps: Clear color scans of immigration passport stamps proving departure from India and arrival in the destination country during the exhibition dates.
• Valid Business Visa Copy: Scanned copy of the foreign business visa or Schengen visa utilized for fair entry.
• Authority Letter: For an employee or authorized representative, a formal resolution on company letterhead authorizing travel for the exhibition.

4. Fair eligibility and statutory compliance declarations

• Proof of Fair Accreditation: Copy of circular, trade notice or notification from an Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Commerce, FIEO, Commodity Board or Indian Commercial Mission confirming the fair status.
• Participation Certificate: Formal certificate of attendance or participation letter issued by the event organizer at the close of the exhibition.
• Annexure CA Certificate: Certificate from an independent practicing Chartered Accountant certifying total actual expenditure incurred on space rent and economy travel, verifying bank debit references.
• Non-Availment Declaration: Formal affidavit/self-declaration under Clause 8 confirming that no financial assistance has been claimed or received from Central MAI, MSME IC Scheme or any other public body for the same fair expenses.

Step-by-step claim filing procedure: from fairground to DBT credit

Filing an MDA claim under Government Order No. 811 is an entirely digitized administrative procedure. Following this systematic six-phase workflow ensures full compliance with statutory review timelines:

1. Phase 1: Pre-Fair Registration Audit (30 Days Before Event): Verify that your Udyam Certificate, IEC, UPEPB registration and UPEPC membership are completely synchronized in legal name and operational address. Confirm that the fair organizer is an eligible body under Clause 3. Execute all space rent payments exclusively through the company official banking channel.
2. Phase 2: Fair Execution and Evidentiary Collection (During the Fair): Collect the official exhibitor badge, gather copies of the printed exhibitor directory, take wide-angle high-resolution photographs of the stall fascia and merchandise displays and secure the organizer participation certificate. Retain every physical boarding pass during transit.
3. Phase 3: Financial Reconciliation and CA Verification (Days 1 to 30 Post-Fair): Compile bank debit statements, Swift copies, airline invoices and organizer receipts. Procure the independent Chartered Accountant expenditure certificate verifying actual payments.
4. Phase 4: Portal Submission (Days 31 to 60 Post-Fair): Log in to the official state export portal (upepc.org / UPEPB portal). Select the Quick Export Development Incentive Scheme (GO 811) module. Enter fair parameters, space rent figures and travel expenses. Upload PDF dossiers of all statutory evidence. Generate the application acknowledgement receipt.
5. Phase 5: Applicant Verification and District Scrutiny (Days 61 to 95 Post-Fair): Utilize the 15-day window under Clause 5(3) to review your uploaded dossier for typographical errors. Once locked, the file is reviewed within 21 days by the Deputy Commissioner Industry at the local District Industries Centre. If a query is issued, submit full rectifications within the non-negotiable 15-day window under Clause 5(4).
6. Phase 6: Bureau Clearance and Authorised Committee Sanction (Days 96 to 150 Post-Fair): Upon district recommendation, the Export Promotion Bureau verifies the file within 15 days and dockets the claim on the agenda of the Authorised Committee. The committee approves the sanction order and the Directorate of Industries credits the subsidy directly into the enterprise bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The Authorised Committee: composition and approval authority

Individual claims under Government Order No. 811 are not approved by local district clerks. They are evaluated and sanctioned by a high-level statutory body known as the Authorised Committee (प्राधिकृत समिति). Exporters should understand the administrative hierarchy responsible for releasing their funds:

Under Clause 6 and Clause 12, this committee holds statutory authority to decide document formats, interpret doubtful provisions, resolve administrative disputes and regulate queue prioritization. The committee operates strictly within annual budgetary limits, releasing funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where claims go wrong: common mistakes that kill fair subsidies

Every financial year, dozens of legitimate UP exporters forfeit substantial reimbursements due to avoidable technical mistakes. The scrutiny process at the District Industries Centre and UPEPB audit branch is rigorous. The table below details the most common administrative failures and how to avoid them:

Strategic comparison: UP GO 811 vs Central MAI vs MSME IC scheme

Exporters participating in international exhibitions often struggle to decide which government incentive scheme offers the best return. While Clause 8 strictly bars claiming two schemes for the same bill, exporters can choose the most advantageous route for each independent fair. The comparison below clarifies how UP GO 811 compares with major central export schemes:

Plain words for technical and legal terms used on this page

Frequently asked questions

How much money can a UP exporter claim for a foreign trade fair under GO 811?

An eligible UP MSME exporter can claim 75 percent of actual space rent up to Rs 3,25,000 (Rs 3.25 lakh) and 75 percent of actual economy airfare up to Rs 1,25,000 (Rs 1.25 lakh) for one person. The maximum possible reimbursement for a single foreign fair is Rs 4,50,000 (Rs 4.50 lakh), subject to the statutory condition that air travel assistance cannot exceed the exporter own actual expenditure on space rent.

What is the maximum reimbursement for an international trade fair held in India?

For an international-level trade fair held within India: such as the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida, IHGF Delhi Fair or India International Footwear Fair: the scheme pays 75 percent of actual space rent up to Rs 75,000 and 75 percent of economy class bus, rail or air travel up to Rs 30,000 for one person. The maximum single-event claim is Rs 1,05,000 (Rs 1.05 lakh).

When does the 120 day filing deadline start counting?

Under Clause 5 sub-clause 1 of GO 811, the 120-day period begins on the official concluding date of the trade fair. For example, if an exhibition runs from 15 March to 18 March 2027, the 120-day countdown begins on 18 March 2027, making 16 July 2027 your absolute last date to file. Filing on day 121 results in automatic rejection.

Can two business partners or directors claim airfare for the same exhibition?

No. Categories 1(b) and 3(b) explicitly restrict travel assistance to one person only (proprietor, partner, director or authorized representative). If two directors travel to manage the stall, only one economy airfare can be claimed under GO 811.

Does the scheme cover custom stall decoration, wooden booth construction and electrical fittings?

The order text specifies “space rent” (स्थान किराया). In administrative practice, shell-scheme or modular stall packages billed directly by the fair organizer are universally accepted. Invoices for custom interior carpentry, external contractor fabrication, lighting rental and audio-visual equipment billed by third-party booth builders are subject to scrutiny and may be questioned. Booking a built-up booth directly from the organizer provides the safest audit trail.

Can I claim airfare if my stall space was completely free or sponsored?

No. Category 1(b) carries a statutory restriction: travel assistance cannot exceed the expenditure incurred by the exporter on space rent. If your space rent was zero, your maximum permissible travel assistance is zero.

Can I claim both Central MAI subsidy and UP GO 811 subsidy for the same fair?

No. Clause 8 strictly bars dual claims for the same expenditure across central and state government programs. If you receive a subsidized booth rate under Central MAI through your EPC, you cannot claim reimbursement for that same booth under GO 811. However, you can claim different fairs under different schemes throughout the year.

What happens if I lose my physical flight boarding passes?

Boarding passes are mandatory evidence proving that the passenger physically travelled on the booked flights. If you misplace a paper pass, immediately contact the operating airline and request a formal Passenger Manifest Certificate or Certificate of Travel confirming your flight details, seat assignment and travel completion.

Do I need to be registered with UPEPB and UPEPC before the fair?

Yes. Clause 2 and Clause 10 mandate that the exporting unit must hold active registrations with both the Export Promotion Bureau UP and the UP Export Promotion Council at the time the work is executed. Registering after the fair has taken place disqualifies the claim entirely.

How many trade fairs can I claim in a single financial year?

There is no numerical limit on the number of qualifying exhibitions you can claim, provided that each claim is filed within 120 days of its respective conclusion date and the cumulative total across all MDA categories does not exceed the annual ceiling of Rs 25,00,000 per unit under Clause 4.

What is the procedure if the District Industries Centre marks a query on my file?

If the Deputy Commissioner Industry marks a deficiency online, Clause 5(4) requires you to upload the necessary clarifications within 15 calendar days. Failing to reply within 15 days results in automatic, irrevocable cancellation of the claim.

How long does it take for the subsidy to be credited to my bank account?

Review and approval typically require 90 to 150 days from submission: 15 days applicant verification, 21 days district scrutiny, 15 days Bureau review, followed by Authorised Committee docketing and state treasury disbursement. Funds are released via DBT on a first-come, first-served basis within budgetary allocations.

How Rasp International handles GO 811 trade fair claims

Rasp International is an ISO 9001:2015 certified international trade and DGFT advisory consultancy headquartered in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Backed by a family legacy in cross-border trade operations spanning two decades and over 500 exporters served across northern India, our firm provides complete statutory management for state export incentive claims.

Our trade fair advisory team ensures that your exhibition investments are protected by rigorous compliance safeguards:

• Pre-Event Accreditation Review: We verify the eligibility of your target international trade fair against Clause 3 criteria before you remit non-refundable space rental deposits.
• Institutional Compliance Audit: We verify and synchronize your Udyam Certificate, IEC, UPEPB registration and UPEPC membership before payments are executed.
• Commercial Expenditure Structuring: We structure your invoicing, outward remittance documents and flight booking itineraries to comply strictly with state audit benchmarks.
• Dossier Compilation and CA Certification: We assemble the complete evidentiary dossier, prepare statutory non-availment declarations and coordinate independent Chartered Accountant certifications.
• Portal Management and Query Resolution: We manage your online submission on the UPEPB portal, track scrutiny lifecycles through the District Industries Centre and resolve administrative queries within the mandatory 15-day window.

Government subsidies are subject to committee sanction and state budget availability. Rasp International does not make false promises of government approval; our role is to ensure that your claim is technically flawless, fully documented and submitted well ahead of statutory deadlines.

Sources and statutory references

• Government of Uttar Pradesh, Department of MSME and Export Promotion: Government Order No. 811/18-4-2025 dated 6 November 2025, Quick Export Development Incentive Scheme (त्वरित निर्यात विकास प्रोत्साहन योजना): Marketing Support Programme for Exporters at International Level (UP MDA Scheme). Official Hindi text: upepc.org.
• Government of Uttar Pradesh: Government Order No. 684/18-4-2025/18-4099/31/2025 dated 3 September 2025, Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Policy 2025-30.
• Government of Uttar Pradesh: Related incentive orders under UP Export Promotion Policy 2025-30: GO No. 828 (Freight to Gateway Port), GO No. 829 (Air Freight), GO No. 830 (ECGC Premium Support), GO No. 836 (Export Performance Incentive), GO No. 838 (Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra Postage) and GO No. 874 (E-commerce Onboarding Assistance).
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India: Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme Guidelines.
• Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India: International Cooperation (IC) Scheme Guidelines.

Notice: This guide is prepared for informational and advisory purposes based on official government notifications as of October 2026. State rules, documentation formats and budgetary allocations are subject to official revision. Always consult the official UPEPB portal or a qualified export consultant before committing capital.

Related UP Export Subsidy Guides:

UP Export Subsidy Schemes 2025-30 (Master Directory) | UP MDA Scheme (GO 811 Complete Breakdown) | UPEPB & UPEPC Registration Guide | Export Website Development with 75% UP MDA Support | UP Export Performance Incentive (GO 836) | UP Gateway Port Freight Subsidy (GO 828) | UP Air Freight Rationalization Subsidy (GO 829) | Rasp International DGFT Consultancy Services