The government has exempted export consignments with a Free-on-Board (FOB) value of up to ₹3 lakh from the requirement of Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) or Certificate of Registration to ease compliance for small and first-time exporters. According to reports from Business Standard, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended Para 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 to provide this exemption where an RCMC or Certificate of Registration would otherwise be required under the policy. Export consignments exceeding ₹3 lakh will continue to require a valid RCMC or Certificate of Registration, wherever applicable. The exemption is specifically aimed at cutting paperwork for MSMEs, artisans and first-time exporters, particularly those using e-commerce, postal and courier channels, as stated by the government. As per the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the measure provides MSMEs, artisans, small businesses and first-time exporters with a simpler entry point into international markets by removing the requirement for an RCMC upfront for eligible small-value consignments. The notification has been issued vide Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated September 15, 2026, providing a targeted de minimis exemption rather than general relaxation from RCMC requirements.
According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, data for the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 shows that low-value shipments constitute a large share of shipping bills but a small share of the overall value of merchandise exports. As reported by Business Standard, consignments valued at up to ₹3 lakh accounted for 43% of shipping bills during the period but represented only 0.86% of India's total merchandise export value. The government stated that the de minimis exemption would therefore cover a substantial number of small-value export transactions while having a marginal impact on the overall value of exports. Such channels have lowered the barriers for small businesses, artisans and individual entrepreneurs seeking customers abroad, allowing them to start with smaller shipments and lower compliance costs. The exemption will also facilitate outbound shipments through postal, courier and other emerging channels that are increasingly enabling businesses to reach international customers.
The exemption is expected to particularly benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, small businesses and occasional exporters, who can now undertake eligible low-value shipments without obtaining an RCMC upfront. According to Business Standard, RCMCs are generally obtained from the relevant Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board, and for new or occasional exporters, the process involves identifying the appropriate registering body, submitting documents and completing registration before undertaking exports. The move is also expected to facilitate exports through postal and courier channels as well as other emerging channels, including e-commerce platforms. Under the new rules, eligible businesses can send small-value consignments without first obtaining the certificate, making it easier for smaller businesses to test overseas markets and build an export track record before taking on larger shipments. As per the commerce ministry, this will enable emerging exporters to test overseas markets and establish an export track record with lower initial compliance requirements.
The exemption allows emerging exporters to test overseas markets and build an export track record without taking on the RCMC requirement at the initial stage. As reported by Business Standard, businesses that expand beyond the ₹3 lakh threshold can subsequently obtain membership of the relevant Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board and access export-promotion schemes, market-access assistance and other institutional support. The government stated that as exporters scale up and undertake higher-value consignments, they can obtain RCMC membership and access the wider range of export promotion and institutional support provided through Export Promotion Councils and other prescribed bodies. The measure is also expected to encourage greater participation of MSMEs in exports and broaden the base of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards, with the exemption specifically intended to promote and facilitate small-value exports through postal, courier and other emerging channels. The centre stated that this step reflects its broader commitment to reducing compliance burdens, widening participation and exports, and making international trade more accessible to MSMEs and emerging businesses.
