0 months ago
Government operationalises inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export framework
The government of India has announced a new rule to help small businesses in India sell their products to people in other countries.
This is called an inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export framework.
A business can now choose a special helper called an Exporter-on-Record to handle the difficult parts of selling abroad.
The helper takes care of paperwork, customs, packaging, delivery and even returns.
Small businesses can focus on making good products while the helper handles the shipping.
The goods can only be made after a buyer in another country places a real order.
This stops companies from storing extra goods meant for other countries and selling them inside India instead.
Sellers are protected because they must be paid on time, even if the helper has not been paid yet.
They can also see the final sale price and track their shipments.
This new rule makes it easier and safer for Indian businesses to sell worldwide.
The government has operationalised an inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export framework under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
The framework was notified through Notification No. 27/2026-27 and Public Notice No. 25/2026-27, dated August 5, 2026.
Registered Exporters-on-Record may procure goods from Indian Sellers-on-Record against confirmed overseas orders and export them in their own name, handling compliance, customs, logistics and reverse logistics.
The move follows Press Note No. 3 of the 2026 Series, which amended India's FDI policy to permit inventory-based e-commerce operations exclusively for exports.
Safeguards require export inventory to be separately identified and digitally recorded, prohibit diversion to the domestic market, and mandate timely payments to sellers regardless of when the Exporter-on-Record is paid.
- Who
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India
- What
- Operationalised an inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export framework allowing eligible e-commerce entities to export through registered Exporters-on-Record
- Where
- India
- When
- August 5, 2026, when the framework was notified
- Why
- To help Indian manufacturers, traders and MSMEs access global markets by reducing the compliance burden of cross-border e-commerce and providing organised fulfilment and logistics networks
Key facts
- Framework
- Inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export
- Policy basis
- Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023
- Notification
- Notification No. 27/2026-27 and Public Notice No. 25/2026-27
- Notification date
- August 5, 2026
- FDI amendment
- Press Note No. 3 of the 2026 Series
- Target beneficiaries
- Indian MSMEs, manufacturers and traders
- Key condition
- Export inventory procured only against confirmed overseas orders, digitally recorded and barred from domestic sale
- Responsible ministry
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry










