Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) Scheme for Export of Specified Agriculture Products

Transport and marketing assistance (TMA) scheme is an initiative striving for the expansion of the agricultural sector. Thus, by aiding in freight and marketing of native agricultural produce, TMA aims to sustenance the growth of the sector. Accordingly, it shrinks the charges of export transportation of certain agricultural good. Further on, ruthlessly promotes native produce to create an esteemed Indian brand in the global market. Additionally, the scheme is yet to hold its share in the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20).

Objectives of Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme

1. To ease the shipment of specified agricultural products
2. For expansion of the agriculture sector globally
3. To Reduce the unnecessary charges bore by the exporters for transportation of agriculture produce
4. Make Indian produce a proclaimed global brand

Eligibility 

The eligible companies will avail appropriate guidance and assistance for exporting the consignment to the suitable nation. All exporters under the apposite Export Promotion Council following the Foreign Trade Policy are eligible to claim the benefits of TMA.

Product Eligibility under Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme

The TMA assists with an array of pre-chosen agricultural products. Assistance under the scheme is provided to all agricultural products covered under HSN Chapters 1 to 24 except the products listed under Annexure (1). Note that, this ranges from plantation products to marine produce.

Ineligible Products

The produce ineligible to claim the benefits of Transport and Marketing Assistance are mentioned here under:

1. SEZs, EOUs, EHTPs, STPs, BTPs, and FTWZs exports are not entertained under the TMA scheme
2. It is not applicable to export the same via DTA units
3. Trans-shipment, that is using India to export even though the produce belongs to a third country.
4. The products that are not present in the scheme
5. Minimum Export Price or duty availing export products
6. Exports using e-commerce to export goods via overseas courier or post office

GOODS NOT VALID UNDER TRANSPORT AND MARKETING ASSISTANCE SCHEME

HS CODES	DESCRIPTION OF GOODS INVALID UNDER TMA SCHEME
All HS Codes	1) Live Animals 2) Meat and Edible Meat Offal 3) Products of Animal Origin (Not Specified or included elsewhere)
030617	Shrimps and Prawns
0401	Milk and Cream; not concentrated or not containing sugar or other sweeteners
0402	Milk and Cream; concentrated or containing sugar or other sweeteners
0403	Buttermilk, Curdled Milk And Cream, Yogurt, Kephir And Other Fermented Or Acidified Milk And Cream whether Or Not Concentrated Or Containing Added Sugar Or Other Sweetening Matter Or Flavoured Or Containing Added Fruit, Nuts Or Cocoa.
0404	Whey, Whether Or Not Concentrated Or Containing Added Sugar Or Other Sweetening Matter; Products Consisting Of Natural Milk Constituents, whether Or not containing added Sugar Or other Sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified Or included
0405	Butter and other fats and oils derived from milk; dairy spreads
0406	Cheese and curd
0703	Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, fresh or chilled
1001	Wheat and Meslin
1006	Rice all varieties not valid for Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme
All HS Codes	Lac, Gums, Resins and other vegetable saps and extracts Vegetable Plaiting Materials; Vegetable Products not elsewhere specified or included
1701	Cane or Beet Sugar and Chemically Pure Sucrose, In Solid Sugars And Sugar Confectionery not containing added colouring or added flavours
1703	Molasses Resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar
All HS Codes	Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar Tobacco and Manufactured Tobacco Substitutes

Annexure 1 List of Products ineligible under TMA Scheme

Nature of Assistance 

1. The reimbursements are through direct bank transfer. However, if Indian Exports not paying freight is not applicable for compensation
2. The rate of compensation will vary on destination (Annexure (2 and 3))
3. The exports can avail Transport and Marketing Assistance only in case of payments concurred through Free Foreign Exchange thru banks
4. The scheme is applicable only if exported via EDI ports
5. The scheme assists for both freight and marketing of exports by sea or air

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The assistance provided under the TMA scheme

1. Exports by sea: depends on the freight for the whole 20 feet Equivalent Unit (TEU)
2. Less Container Load (LCL) will not gain assistance
3. Similarly, a consignment with both eligible and ineligible products will not gain assistance
4. Likewise, no TMA for bulk transactions
5. A 40 feet EU will be considered as 2TEU and other consequent consignments will be treated in the same fashion.

Points to Remember 

1. The Transport and Marketing Assistance application for the claim will be every quarter.
2. Fill the application claim within 1 year of the quarterly completion
3. Submit the claim on the basis of shipment. For instance, submit all shipments in a particular quarter as one claim in one application
4. Incomplete submission, no documents, fraudulent information will lose the right to claim and thus will be treated as a reject file

Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme Landing Certificate Sample

Documents for TMA

Apply ANF- 7(A)A, along with all the necessary documents

1. Shipping bill (EP copy)
2. Commercial invoice
3. Shipped On board bill of lading (For sea shipments)
4. Chartered Accountant Certificate
5. Cost and Works accountant Certificate
6. Proof of Landing Certificate

Annexure (A) to ANF(A)A Certificate of Chartered Accountant Sample:

Protocol to claim under the TMA scheme

1. First, issue RCMC from the Competent official. Then, the exporter should fill the application form to claim assistance under Transport and Marketing Assistance.
2. The application may be by Corporate office, Register office, Head office, Branch office, or Production unit.
3. Address the application to RAs monitored by Additional DGFT. Nevertheless, the applicant can choose their Jurisdictional RA
4. Note, choose the RA with certainty s once selected, no revision will be allowed
5. Fill the application online click here and pay the fee

Click here to get help on rest of the application

Points to Remember

1. Fill the details of all the necessary documents within 30 days
2. Next, is the login (Similar to other ECOM sites)
3. Subsequently, after filling the form submit the form
4. Following that, issue the form that notifies successful submission
5. Note that application to be filed within 1 year of the quarter.

Following scrutiny by DGFT, the assistance shall be provided to the exporter.