The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has proposed exempting export consignments with a free-on-board (FOB) value of up to ₹10,000 from the requirement of obtaining a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), in a move aimed at promoting small-value exports.While exporters and trade experts have broadly welcomed the proposal as a step towards easing compliance and also boosting e-commerce, many believe the threshold is too low to make a “meaningful impact”. They have also flagged concerns over the absence of any cap on the number of consignments that can be shipped under the proposed exemption.The DGFT on Monday issued a trade notice seeking stakeholders’ comments within 10 days on the draft notification. According to the draft, a de minimis exemption from RCMC requirements is being proposed for export consignments with an FOB value of up to ₹10,000 “with the objective to promote small-value exports, especially exports through postal, courier and other emerging channels.”Exporters said the move, which will also promote e-commerce, addresses a long-pending demand of small businesses. “It will help e-commerce, sample shipments and gifts sent to overseas contacts. Sales to foreign tourists in the handicrafts sector may also increase. We welcome the step,” said Rakesh Kumar, handicrafts exporter and Chief Mentor, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).However, industry representatives pointed out that the ₹10,000 ceiling would largely restrict the benefit to sample shipments and very small exports.“It is a step towards ease of doing business. It will certainly help those sending samples or engaged in very small businesses by saving them the hassle of obtaining the certificate. But I don’t see it having any impact on the (high) value-exports that we undertake,” said Sanjay Jain, a Delhi-NCR-based exporter of textiles and garments.At present, all exporters are required to obtain an RCMC from the relevant Export Promotion Council (EPC) or commodity board to access DGFT authorisations and claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy, irrespective of the value of their shipments.“RCMC is not free. Annual membership fees charged by EPCs generally range from ₹5,000 to ₹16,000, while several councils also levy one-time admission fees of ₹1,000-25,000, besides 18 per cent GST. For micro-exporters, these costs can be significant,” said Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).While calling the proposal a step in the right direction, GTRI argued that the ₹10,000 limit is too low to make a meaningful difference. “Most exports of this value are small e-commerce shipments that rarely use DGFT authorisations or FTP benefits. Instead of a shipment-value threshold, the exemption should apply to exporters with an annual export turnover of up to ₹25 lakh,” it suggested.Some exporters also cautioned that the proposal does not specify any ceiling on the number of consignments that can qualify for the exemption. “Without such a limit, there could be scope for misuse or unnecessary scrutiny by enforcement agencies,” said a Delhi-based exporter of made-ups.Published on July 21, 2026