India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has scrapped the Rs1m ($10,717) per consignment limit for courier-based commercial exports from 1 April, as part of wider reforms targeting the retail and e-commerce policy.
Announced under the Union Budget 2026–2027, the change is aimed at simplifying courier imports and exports, reducing logistics constraints and improving the ease of doing business in the rapidly expanding e-commerce segment.
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With the cap removed, exporters can now send consignments of any value through courier channels.
Higher-value shipments previously had to be routed via conventional air or sea cargo, limiting flexibility, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups and artisans.
The CBIC said the move is designed to provide operational flexibility and support the growth of e-commerce exports.
The revised framework also introduces a Return to Origin (RTO) provision for uncleared imports.
Under this mechanism, goods that remain unclaimed for more than 15 days can be returned to their origin through a simplified process, on the provision that they are not prohibited, restricted or under enforcement action.
The measure is expected to reduce congestion at International Courier Terminals.
Procedures for re-importing returned or rejected goods, including those linked to e-commerce transactions, have also been streamlined.
A risk-based approach has replaced the earlier requirement to examine each consignment individually, supported by amendments to relevant notifications.
To support implementation, a dedicated returns module has been added to the Express Cargo Clearance System to improve handling of courier returns.
The CBIC stated that the reforms are backed by system-driven process simplifications aimed at reducing dwell times and transaction costs in courier-based trade.
The measures are intended to enhance ease of doing business and strengthen India’s position in global e-commerce exports, with MSMEs, artisans and startups expected to be key beneficiaries.
