The Services Export from India Scheme (SEIS) was introduced by the Government of India with the sole purpose to encourage the export of services from India. The incentive is in the range of 5-7% of Net Foreign Exchange earned. The old SFIS scheme was replaced by the new SEIS scheme with the aim to benefit all the service providers in India and not just the entities who are Indians.

In this Article, we are going to explain the complete procedure of SEIS application online  and other terms and conditions associated with it.

[If you want an in-depth knowledge of SEIS Scheme read our article on “All about Service Exports From India Scheme – SEIS”]

SEIS Online Application Process - 2019

Following are the list of documents required for SEIS Scheme Procedure.

1. IEC Copy
2. Self-Certified copy of Application Form ANF 3B
3. CA Certificate
4. Table Number 4
5. Write Up of Services
6. Self-Certified Copy of Invoice and FIRC’S
7. DGFT DSC
8. RCMC Copy
9. Necessary Declaration

[To know in-depth detail about the documents required for the SEIS Application and how you can obtain them Read our article " Documents Required for SEIS Scheme Application - Updated List (2019)"]

Procedure to Apply for SEIS Scheme 2019

There are some vital points which need to be adhered before starting the SEIS online application process

• First, you have to visit the website "https://www.dgft.gov.in/" and then you have to Select "Online ECOM Application" under the "Services" tab.

• After Selecting "Online ECOM Application" you have to select one of these option i.e "SEIS for 2017 - 18 and 2018 - 19" and "SEIS for 2015 - 16 and 2016 - 17", for the year you want to file your SEIS for.

• After Selecting an option you have to fill the details and submit the form.
• As per the latest notification in June 2018, the new ANF 3B has become effective.
• If you are involved in providing more than one service then you have to follow the classification as per the Appendix 3D and show the “Service Category Information” in the ANF 3B form.

Points to be Noted for SEIS Scheme procedure

1. Identification of the applicable jurisdiction is important before submitting your SEIS application online. Jurisdiction can be decided as per Appendix 1A. If any organization has more than One office then it has a right to select a Regional Authority of DGFT at the start of a given financial Year for claiming all the rewards. It also states that once a Regional Authority (RA) is selected you cannot change it.

2. RCMC stands for Registration Cum Membership Certificate which is an important SEIS Document. It is something to be obtained from the Export Promotion Councils.

   Now let us see a condition in which the applicant is only into exports of services and not of goods, in this case, he needs to obtain an RCMC from Service Export Promotional Council (SEPC)

   If the applicant is into export of services as well as exports of goods, then RCMC from the relevant council can be considered. In this case, the SEPC Membership is not compulsory.

[To know in details about the jurisdiction and provision of SEIS before applying read our article on “Jurisdiction for filing claim under SEIS Scheme – Complete Guide”]

SEIS Application Processing Time

The Handbook of Procedures 2015-2020 states that the department is obligated to dispose off every SEIS application, within three days of its receipt. A delay in the above time is only allowed in case of any discrepancy or mistakes in the file.

Last date of Filing SEIS Claim

The application for SEIS is generally filled annually. This means only one application can be filled in a Financial Year. The due date is 12 months starting from the end of the relevant financial year of the period of the claim.

What if 12 months have already passed from the end of the relevant financial Year (FY for which you are applying). Will you be eligible to claim? Yes. You can file an application for SEIS after the end of Relevant FY till next 3 Years. But with the Late cut clause.

Let us understand how this Late cut concept works?

Late cut fee for SEIS

Late fee is also an important concept to be understood before applying under SEIS Scheme. Let’s see a working factor where we go beyond those 12 months.

Let's Take an example for the Late cut % in SEIS.

Suppose you want to claim your SEIS benefit of the Financial year 2016-17. Then:

Suppose your entitled claim on 2016-17 was INR 5Lac

If you claim in between 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2020 then 10% will be deducted.
Calculation : 500000 – (10% of 500000) i.e 50000
                     = 450000

Then the Rebate you get if you apply during 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2020 for FY 2016-17 will be INR 450000.

Management of Risk

The Risk Management System under the SEIS operates on a random basis with no specific criteria. It is designed to check the authenticity and correctness of the application in addition to verifying that the correct grant has been rewarded based on the application. Here is an outline of how the process of risk management works at the office of Directorate General of Foreign Trade:

1. The computers at the office of DGFT, selects about 10% applications for every Regional Authority, fully on a random basis.
2. It is required that all the applicants who are selected submit their original documents for further examination.
3. If the authorities find any discrepancy or excess claim, the applicant has to amend the same or refund the excess claim with a suitable interest.

Therefore it is necessary to be very sure about the Application that you are submitting. In order to avoid any issues at a later stage.

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