India Simplifies E-Commerce Export Returns

India is working to ease the "reject-and-return" policy for e-commerce exports in a bid to cushion exporters from uncertainties arising out of the US tariffs and ongoing geopolitical conflicts across the world.

In a stakeholder consultation by the government with exporters, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said that it is working to ease concerns of e-commerce exporters, who have repeatedly complained of delays in IGST refund due to data mismatch and concerns over export reporting procedures. Concerns include non-transmission of shipping bill data from ICEGATE to GSTN due to a mismatch in invoice numbers, port codes, or HSN codes.

Urging the CBIC for faster refunds for e-commerce exports,

the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for relaxation for small value shipments up to₹1 lakh, adding that payment through money changers should also be accepted to ease operations for exporters.

Aiming to catalyse India's e-commerce export potential, FIEO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon India to accelerate exports by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. The partnership aims to establish a dedicated e-commerce export task force to

collaboratively shape policy frameworks, enable infrastructure support, and increase awareness of e-commerce export opportunities among Indian businesses.

FIEO's Director General Ajay Sahai, said that the partnership aims to build the capacities of small businesses, including artisans, weavers, and manufacturers, help them leverage e-commerce for international expansion, enhance global visibility of Indian products, and work closely with stakeholders to identify the issues and address them.

While

he pointed to the government's new scheme for e-commerce hubs to help in boosting overall exports, Amazon's Vice President Chetan Krishnaswamy said that the MoU aims to support India's vision of achieving $200-300 billion in e-commerce exports by 2030.