DGFT Removes RCMC Requirement for Export Consignments up to ₹3 Lakh

# DGFT Removes RCMC Requirement for Export Consignments up to ₹3 Lakh

Finin2min 2-minute summary

India has introduced a de minimis exemption from RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirements for export consignments with FOB value up to ₹3 lakh, reducing entry friction for small and first-time exporters.

What changed

DGFT amended paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 so that eligible consignments with FOB value up to ₹3 lakh do not require an RCMC or Certificate of Registration where one would otherwise be required.

Why it matters

The change lowers a fixed compliance barrier for small shipments and can make test-market exports through postal, courier and e-commerce channels easier, while preserving registration requirements for higher-value consignments.

Who is affected

MSMEs, artisans, e-commerce exporters, courier/postal exporters, first-time exporters, export promotion councils, customs brokers and trade-compliance teams.

Action / control point

Exporters should apply the exemption consignment-by-consignment using the FOB threshold, retain evidence supporting value and eligibility, and obtain RCMC once consignments exceed ₹3 lakh where the policy otherwise requires it.

Key verified facts

• The exemption applies to export consignments with Free-on-Board value up to ₹3 lakh.
• It removes the RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirement only where that certificate would otherwise be required under the Foreign Trade Policy.
• Consignments exceeding ₹3 lakh continue to require a valid RCMC or Certificate of Registration wherever applicable.
• The measure is intended to support MSMEs, artisans, first-time exporters and emerging postal, courier and e-commerce export channels.
• The government described the measure as a de minimis compliance exemption rather than a broader removal of exporter-registration requirements.

Detailed Finin2min analysis

The operational value is largest for businesses testing overseas demand with a small number of low-value consignments. An exporter can now enter a market without first treating RCMC membership as a prerequisite for every eligible shipment. That reduces fixed compliance friction at the earliest stage of export activity, where documentation cost can be disproportionate to invoice value.

The ₹3 lakh limit should be read as a consignment-level FOB threshold, not as a blanket annual-turnover exemption. Exporters should not aggregate or split commercial shipments artificially to engineer eligibility. Internal controls should preserve the commercial invoice, shipping bill, courier/postal documentation and valuation trail so the basis for using the exemption remains auditable.

RCMC has functions beyond shipment permission. It is also the gateway to institutional support, export-promotion services and, in some contexts, scheme participation. A business that qualifies for the de minimis exemption may still choose to obtain RCMC if it needs those services. The reform removes an entry requirement; it does not make export promotion councils irrelevant.

For e-commerce exporters, the change can complement courier and postal export reforms because the cost of registration is often most burdensome when order sizes are small and geographically dispersed. Finance teams should still track foreign-exchange realisation, GST zero-rating conditions, LUT/bond requirements where relevant and income recognition separately; the RCMC exemption does not switch off those obligations.

Customs brokers and logistics platforms should update onboarding checklists so eligible exporters are not asked for RCMC by default. At the same time, systems need a threshold check that flags consignments above ₹3 lakh for normal registration requirements. The best implementation is therefore rules-based rather than a blanket “RCMC no longer required” message.

The compliance simplification can be especially useful for D2C brands, artisans and manufacturers using courier exports because low-value orders frequently carry thin margins. Removing an up-front registration dependency reduces the cost of testing foreign demand, but exporters still need an IEC where applicable, correct product classification, shipping documents, foreign-exchange realisation controls and GST export treatment. The reform should therefore be integrated into the export checklist rather than treated as a substitute for it.

Finance teams should also review whether incentive claims, bank documentation or marketplace onboarding separately ask for RCMC. A shipment may qualify for the FTP exemption while another commercial programme still requires membership or registration. Systems should record why the exemption was used and which benefits were or were not claimed, so a future audit can distinguish statutory shipment eligibility from scheme-specific conditions.

The reform may also alter the economics of cross-border e-commerce platforms. If onboarding becomes simpler, platforms can aggregate a larger base of micro-exporters, but they will need stronger automated controls around FOB value, restricted goods, returns and inward remittances. The long-term policy success will depend on whether simplified entry translates into repeat exporters that eventually formalise into EPC membership as volumes grow.

What not to infer

The reform does not abolish RCMC. It creates a limited de minimis exemption for qualifying consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB.

What to watch next

• DGFT portal and EPC workflow changes reflecting the exemption
• Any FAQ on valuation, splitting or clubbing of consignments
• Interaction with courier/postal and e-commerce export procedures
• Whether export-promotion schemes continue to require RCMC independently

Source and methodology

• Controlling source: Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Commerce & Industry — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2310798&lang=1&reg=3
• Source date: 2026-09-16
• Research cutoff: 2026-09-16 23:21 IST

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Disclaimer

This material is for general information and education only. It is not investment, tax, legal, accounting or financial advice. Markets, regulations, litigation, tax positions and transaction terms can change after the stated research cutoff. Verify the latest controlling source and obtain appropriate professional advice before acting on a material decision.