Lok Sabha Question No. 2605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: E-Commerce Export Hubs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Shri Damodar Agrawal, Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Shri Alok Sharma, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2605 ANSWERED ON 05/08/2025

## E-COMMERCE EXPORT HUBS

2605.   DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND:

SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

MS. BANSURI SWARAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the key objectives of the E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEHs) initiative and the manner it aims to facilitate exports by Indian SMEs and artisans;
- (b) the measures being taken to enable digital and physical infrastructure necessary for scaling e-commerce exports under the initiative;
- (c) whether any specific steps are being undertaken to streamline customs, logistics, and compliance processes for small exporters under the initiative, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  any  partnerships  with  global  e-commerce  platforms  or  domestic  logistics providers have been established to support the implementation of this initiative, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री जितिन प्रसाद )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) & (b) The E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEHs) initiative, aims to provide dedicated zones for facilitating cross-border e-commerce exports from India. The objective is to support SMEs, artisans, and small businesses by reducing the cost and time associated with logistics, streamlining  regulatory  processes,  and  simplifying  re-imports  for  e-commerce  returns  or

rejects. ECEHs shall provide integrated services at a single location, encompassing customs clearance, quality certification, packaging, and off-port warehousing.

DGFT has issued Trade Notice No. 14/2025 dated 22.08.2024, inviting detailed proposals for these pilots. Five ECEH pilot projects have been proposed for implementation.

(c) Yes, the Government has undertaken several steps to streamline customs, logistics, and compliance procedures for small exporters, particularly in the context of e-commerce exports:

- Chapter 9 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 provides for the promotion of crossborder trade in the digital economy.
- The Trade Connect ePlatform (https://trade.gov.in) has been launched to provide small exporters  with  access  to  international  trade-related  information.  It  integrates  inputs from Indian Missions, Export Promotion Councils, and Commodity Boards. Outreach through Niryat Bandhu programmes and handbooks on e-commerce exports have also been undertaken.
- The  CBIC,  via  Notification  No.  23/2023-Customs  dated  31.03.2023,  enhanced  the value  limit  for  courier  exports  to  ₹10  lakh.  Export  duty  remissions  such  as  Duty Drawback and RoDTEP have been extended to courier-mode exports from 12.09.2024.
- The Department of Posts, in coordination with CBIC, has established Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras (DNKs) to assist exporters with documentation, packaging, and regulatory compliance.  A  total  of  1,013  DNKs  have  been  notified.  The  International  Tracked Packet  Service  covers  41  countries,  with  volume-based  discounts  to  benefit  small exporters.
- Further, the Reserve Bank of India has issued a draft circular proposing procedural relaxations for small-value exporters under the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS). The circular shall enable Authorised Dealer (AD) banks to close shipping bills up to ₹10 lakh based on quarterly declarations from exporters confirming realisation and value adjustments, thereby reducing compliance burden and streamlining reconciliation for small consignments.

(d) Yes, some of the proposed ECEHs are to be implemented directly by logistics service providers to ensure integrated delivery of warehousing, packaging, and regulatory facilitation. In addition, the Government has entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and signed Letters  of  Intent  (LoIs)  with  key  stakeholders,  including  global  e-commerce  platforms  and domestic  logistics  providers.  These  partnerships  focus  on  building  awareness,  enhancing export  readiness,  and  promoting  cross-border  e-commerce,  particularly  among  MSMEs. Regional Authorities of DGFT have also conducted outreach and capacity-building programs in collaboration with these entities to support the onboarding of SME sellers and familiarise them with export procedures.

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