India eases export norms for consignments up to ₹3 lakh

The Indian government has introduced a de minimis exemption for small-value export consignments to reduce compliance burdens. Under an amendment to Para 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), exporters no longer require a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) or a Certificate of Registration for shipments with a Free-on-Board (FOB) value of up to ₹3 lakh.

This measure is intended to facilitate easier entry into international markets for MSMEs, artisans, and first-time exporters, particularly through postal, courier, and e-commerce channels. While low-value consignments (up to $3,000) account for approximately 43 per cent of shipping bills, they represent only 0.86 per cent of India’s total merchandise export value, meaning the exemption is expected to cover a high volume of transactions with minimal impact on total export value.

Consignments exceeding the ₹3 lakh threshold will still require a valid RCMC or Certificate of Registration as per existing policies.