9.00 Objective

The objective of this chapter is to provide a framework for cross-border trade of goods and services from India in the digital economy and the promotion of e-Commerce and other emerging channels of exports from India.

9.01 E-Commerce Exports of Goods

Export of goods where selling is through the internet on an e-Commerce platform, the payment for which shall be done through international credit or debit cards, or other authorised electronic payment channels and as specified by the RBI from time to time.

9.02 E-Commerce Exports of Services

Exports of services where selling is through the internet on an e-Commerce platform, the payment for which shall be done through international credit or debit cards, or other authorised electronic payment channels and as specified by the RBI from time to time.

9.03 E-Commerce Platform

E-Commerce platform is an electronic platform, including a web-portal, that enables the commercial process of buying and selling through the internet.

9.04 E-Commerce Export Logistics Provider

Any service provider who provides logistics services towards exports of goods or services for e-Commerce Exports.

9.05 Export through Courier Service/Post

Exports through a registered courier service/Foreign Post Office is permitted as per Notification(s) issued under Customs Act, 1962. However, exportability of such items shall be regulated in accordance with FTP/Export Policy in ITC(HS) as notified. The value limit for exports through courier service shall be Rs. 10,00,000 per consignment.

9.06 Import through courier service/Post

i. Imports through a registered courier service or Post are permitted as per Notification(s) issued under the Customs Act, 1962. However, importability of such items shall be regulated in accordance with FTP and the ITC(HS) based Import Policy as notified.

ii. Exports by courier mode of precious Metal Jewellery through E-commerce and re-import of such export shipments returned by the buyer shall be allowed as per the Notification(s) issued and procedures prescribed under the Customs Act, 1962.

A. PROMOTION OF E-COMMERCE EXPORTS

9.07 Handholding and outreach to promote e-Commerce Exports

i. The Niryat Bandhu Scheme (NBS) as defined under Chapter 1 of the Policy shall have a component for the promotion of e-Commerce and other emerging channels of exports. Under the given NBS component, DGFT shall organise outreach activities/workshops in partnership with Customs Authorities, Department of Post, ‘Industry Partners’ and ‘Knowledge Partners’ for promotion of e-Commerce exports. Besides outreach/ workshops, specific focus may be on creation of electronic content as well.

ii. In addition to increasing awareness on e-Commerce related rules and processes, actions may be undertaken under the said NBS component for capacity building and skill development for promotion of e-Commerce exports, in partnership with Customs Authorities, Department of Post, ‘Industry Partners’ or the ‘Knowledge Partners’.

B. E-COMMERCE EXPORT HUBS (ECEHs)

9.08 Objective of E-Commerce Export Hubs

The objective is to establish designated areas as E-Commerce Export Hubs (hereafter called “ECEH”), which would act as a centre for favourable business infrastructure and facilities for Cross Border E-Commerce activities.

9.09 Creation of ECEH

i. The ECEH shall ordinarily be setup through private initiative. It may also be setup in Public-Private- Partnership (PPP) mode in partnership with the State governments/Central government. Request for approval of an ECEH proposed shall be submitted to the notified committee to be constituted by DGFT.

ii. Existing facility with the required infrastructure may also apply to be designated as ECEH.

9.10 Nature of ECEH Operations

i. ECEH will function to achieve agglomeration benefits for e-commerce exporters. The ECEH may provide for storage (including cold storage facilities), packaging, labelling, certification & testing and other common facilities for the purposes of export.

ii. The ECEH shall also provide for dedicated logistics infrastructure for connecting to and leveraging the services of the nearest Logistics hub(s).

iii. All goods, including SCOMET and Restricted goods (subject to suitable compliance of regulations and conditions) and except goods which are prohibited or otherwise disallowed, may be handled at ECEH.

iv. Capital goods brought to a ECEH shall be utilized only for activities as mentioned at (i) above on payment of the duties and taxes, as applicable, in terms of extant laws.

9.11 Entitlement under ECEHs

i. ECEH may be provided financial assistance under MAI scheme, for e-Commerce export promotion projects for marketing, capacity building and technological services such as imaging, cataloguing, product video creation of e-Commerce Goods.

C. PROMOTION OF E-COMMERCE EXPORTS THROUGH POSTAL ROUTE

9.12 Dak Niryat Kendras

Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras shall be operationalised throughout the country to work in a hub-and-spoke model with Foreign Post Offices (FPOs) to facilitate cross-border e-Commerce and to enable artisans, weavers, craftsmen, MSMEs in the hinterland and land-locked regions to reach international markets.