The Centre is planning to ease regulatory requirements for e-commerce platforms to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their exports and connect directly with international buyers, as India targets $200–300 billion in e-commerce exports by 2030.
The proposed measures are aimed at enabling small manufacturers, artisans and entrepreneurs across the country to access global markets through domestic and international e-commerce platforms with fewer procedural hurdles.
The government is encouraging major e-commerce players to handhold small businesses and integrate them more closely with the existing Export Promotion Council framework. The initiative also seeks to strengthen district-level exports by creating greater awareness about export procedures and helping local businesses transition from domestic operations to international trade.
“We are pushing the e-commerce platforms to reach out to exporters and build more awareness, especially among district exporters, to help them get onboarded. We have asked the states to invite e-commerce platforms, both domestic and global, to help exporters scale up and transition from domestic businesses to exporters,” a government official said.
The Commerce Ministry has already taken steps to promote digital exports. Last year, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amazon to integrate the company’s Export Navigator tool into the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s (DGFT) Trade Connect portal. The initiative is intended to help small businesses and entrepreneurs understand export compliance requirements and navigate international markets.
The government has also introduced policy changes to facilitate e-commerce exports. In July, it permitted foreign-funded e-commerce companies to operate an inventory-based model exclusively for export purposes, a facility previously restricted under India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy.
In another significant move, the Union Budget removed the ₹10 lakh per-consignment value ceiling on courier exports, allowing small businesses, artisans and startups to ship higher-value consignments to overseas customers through courier channels.
Further support is expected through simplified GST registration provisions approved at the latest GST Council meeting. The mechanism will allow eligible small sellers to use an e-commerce operator’s warehouse as their principal place of business in states where they do not maintain a physical presence.
Despite these initiatives, smaller exporters continue to face challenges such as regulatory complexities, warehousing requirements, high logistics costs and limited awareness of export procedures.
The government is monitoring the implementation of these measures at the district level, with the focus extending beyond major global platforms such as Amazon to domestic e-commerce companies and state governments.
Alongside e-commerce expansion, the Centre is also prioritising district-level export promotion and better utilisation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Awareness-building initiatives are expected to help businesses understand export opportunities and take greater advantage of preferential market access under these agreements.
The proposed regulatory easing and closer collaboration with e-commerce platforms could open new international market opportunities for India’s MSMEs, enabling traditional products, handicrafts and locally manufactured goods to reach overseas consumers more efficiently.