Govt unveils new rules to boost ecommerce exports

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has operationalised a set of comprehensive reforms to strengthen and streamline ecommerce exports and broader courier-based imports and exports with effect from April 1.

These reforms include the complete removal of the Rs 10 lakh value cap per consignment on courier exports, the introduction of a streamlined framework for handling returned and rejected parcels and a legally backed return to origin (RTO) mechanism for uncleared shipments, aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, the finance ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The reforms will also reduce logistics inefficiencies and strengthen India’s global export competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs, artisans and startups, it added.

As part of these reforms, the ministry said, the existing value limit of Rs 10 lakh for commercial export consignments through courier mode has been removed.

This measure is expected to significantly boost exports, especially for ecommerce exporters, by allowing greater flexibility in shipment value and enabling seamless exports through the courier mode, eliminating the need to divert such shipments to conventional air or sea cargo solely due to value restrictions, it said.

These initiatives were announced in the Budget presented in Parliament last month.

In order to address congestion and delays in the disposal of uncleared or unclaimed imported goods at international courier terminals, CBIC has introduced a RTO facility.

Under this facility, goods that remain uncleared or unclaimed for more than 15 days and are not prohibited, restricted or under enforcement hold may be returned to the origin following a simplified procedure, the ministry said, adding that this is expected to ease congestion at courier terminals and improve logistics efficiency.

CBIC has also simplified the procedure for the re-import of returned or rejected goods, including those relating to ecommerce exports.

A risk-based approach has been adopted in place of consignment-wise verification, and necessary amendments have been carried out in the relevant notification.

In addition, the ministry said, a dedicated return module has been developed in the Express Cargo Clearance System to facilitate smooth processing of such returns.

These reforms are supported by system-based enhancements and process simplifications aimed at improving the overall efficiency of courier-based trade, it said, adding that the measures are expected to reduce dwell time, lower transaction costs, and provide significant relief to exporters, logistics operators and other stakeholders involved in international courier trade, especially e-commerce.