What's the difference between RoDTEP and duty drawback, and do I need to apply for both?
The short answer
They're complementary, not competing, Duty Drawback refunds the customs duty you paid on imported inputs, while RoDTEP refunds embedded state and local taxes (like VAT on the fuel used in transport) that never get credited anywhere else. Rates are modest, RoDTEP runs roughly 0.3-4.3% of FOB value depending on product, paid as transferable e-scrips, not cash to your bank account. Claim both if you're eligible; it's essentially free margin back on every compliant export shipment, but the numbers change, so verify current rates before building them into your pricing.
A quick summary to orient you. The real value is below: the resources worth your time, from people who've actually done it, not us.
Here are the resources
Hand-picked from around the web, each with a note on why it earns your time. India-specific ones carry a badge.
3 resources3 India-specific2 link-checked
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📄 Article
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Why we picked it
A clear plain-language breakdown of what RoDTEP actually refunds and why it replaced MEIS, useful before you assume it works like a simple cashback scheme.
Why we picked it
The IEC is the one document you cannot export without, and this explains what it is, who needs it, and the DGFT application steps in plain language for first-time exporters.
Why we picked it
A logistics company's read on RoDTEP is useful precisely because it connects the scheme to actual shipping and documentation workflow, not just the tax mechanics.
