New Delhi, Sept 2026 : The government has eased compliance requirements for small exporters by exempting export consignments valued up to Rs 3 lakh from the requirement of obtaining a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) or Certificate of Registration, wherever such certification is otherwise required under the Foreign Trade Policy.
The Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday that the move is aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on new, occasional and small exporters while facilitating exports through postal, courier, e-commerce and other emerging channels.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended Para 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 to introduce the exemption. Under the amended provision, an RCMC or Certificate of Registration will not be mandatory for export consignments with a free-on-board (FOB) value of up to Rs 3 lakh, in cases where the certificate would otherwise have been required.
However, export consignments exceeding Rs 3 lakh will continue to require a valid RCMC or Certificate of Registration wherever applicable under the Foreign Trade Policy.
The government said historical export data highlights the significance of low-value shipments in terms of transaction volume, even though their contribution to the overall value of merchandise exports remains relatively small.
Data for the five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 shows that consignments valued up to $3,000 account for around 43 per cent of shipping bills, while contributing only 0.86 per cent of India’s total merchandise export value. The exemption is therefore expected to cover a substantial number of small export transactions without having a significant impact on the overall value of exports.
At present, exporters are generally required to obtain an RCMC or Certificate of Registration from the relevant Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board, wherever mandated by the Foreign Trade Policy. For first-time or occasional exporters dealing with small consignments, this requirement can involve an additional compliance process before they begin exporting.
Such exporters may have to identify the appropriate registering authority, submit the required documents and complete the registration process before undertaking international shipments. The government’s latest decision removes this initial requirement for eligible consignments up to the Rs 3 lakh threshold.
The measure is expected to provide greater opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and other emerging businesses seeking to enter overseas markets.
By reducing the initial compliance burden, small businesses can use eligible low-value shipments to test international markets, understand overseas customer demand and build an export track record without having to obtain an RCMC upfront.
The policy change is also expected to support the growing role of e-commerce in international trade. Small businesses increasingly use online platforms, postal services and courier networks to reach customers outside India. The exemption could make such channels easier to access for exporters handling smaller orders.
The Commerce Ministry said that as businesses expand and their export consignments cross the Rs 3 lakh threshold, they can obtain membership of the relevant Export Promotion Councils or Commodity Boards. Such membership can provide access to export promotion programmes, market access initiatives and other institutional support.
The government also expects the measure to broaden the base of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards by encouraging more MSMEs to participate in international trade.
The exemption is part of efforts to simplify export procedures and lower entry barriers for smaller businesses. By allowing eligible exporters to begin with fewer upfront compliance requirements, the government aims to encourage wider participation in international markets while retaining the existing registration framework for larger consignments.
