Govt operationalises inventory based e-commerce export framework
New Delhi, Aug 5
The government on Wednesday operationalised the inventory-based cross-border e-commerce facilitation framework by notifying detailed procedures for registration, inventory management, compliance, reverse logistics and dispute resolution under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
In a public notice, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) -- under the Commerce Ministry said the operational procedures along with a new application form -- Aayaat Niryaat Form (ANF) 9A -- for registration of Exporters-on-Record (EORs), would come into effect immediately.
Under the framework, entities seeking to operate as exporters-on-record will be required to register with the DGFT through ANF-9A and inform the authority of any changes in registration particulars within 30 days.
The decision places primary responsibility on the exporter-on-record for maintaining export inventory, ensuring goods match the specifications declared by sellers and complying with all destination-country requirements before export, including testing, certification, labelling and other regulatory norms.
It also mandates the maintenance of a digital repository linking procurement records, GST invoices and export documents with each seller-on-record.
The repository will be accessible to the DGFT and other authorised agencies, according to the government.
In addition, to improve transparency for sellers, the framework requires exporters-on-record to provide digital access to information such as final overseas sale prices, order status, shipment tracking details and destination countries.
Moreover, product listings must also disclose the identity of the manufacturer or brand owner and, where applicable, the seller-on-record.
The government has capped administrative charges that exporters-on-record can retain at 10 per cent of the gross export rebates and refunds.
Seller-attributable export benefits must be passed on within 30 days of the Exporter-on-Record receiving such rebates and refunds, it added.
Further, exporters-on-record will have to obtain an annual compliance certificate from an independent Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant or another professional specified by the DGFT.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The 10% cap on administrative charges is a good step to protect small sellers. But I wonder how many small exporters will actually be able to comply with all these compliance requirements — annual CA certificates, digital repositories, etc. Seems like it might favour bigger players who have the resources.
Interesting to see India simplifying cross-border e-commerce. The transparency requirements for sellers — like showing final overseas sale prices and shipment tracking — are very consumer-friendly. This could really boost India's share in global e-commerce exports if implemented well.
This is a welcome move, but the 30-day window to inform changes in registration details feels a bit tight, especially for small businesses that might not have dedicated compliance teams. Hope the DGFT is lenient in the initial phase and doesn't penalise minor delays. Still, happy to see India pushing towards a $2 trillion export target! 🇮🇳
This is a game-changer for Indian artisans and small sellers! The requirement to disclose manufacturer/brand identity adds trust. But the real test will be how quickly DGFT processes registrations and whether the digital infrastructure is robust enough. Let's hope we don't face the usual website crashes! 😅
A well-structured framework. The emphasis on "seller-attributable export benefits" being passed on within 30 days is important for ensuring fair play. However, I'd like to see how this works in practice — will there be enough oversight to ensure exporters-on-record actually comply with these timelines?
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.