The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has introduced a significant trade facilitation measure by exempting low-value export consignments from the requirement of obtaining a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) or Certificate of Registration, subject to the prescribed monetary threshold.
The measure has been notified vide Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated September 15, 2026, issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023. The amendment comes into force with immediate effect.
Under the notification, paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 has been amended by inserting a new sub-paragraph (c) after existing sub-paragraph (b). The newly inserted provision provides that, notwithstanding the existing requirements under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), an exporter will not be required to obtain an RCMC or Certificate of Registration where the Free-on-Board (FOB) value of an export consignment does not exceed ₹3,00,000.
The exemption is intended to promote and facilitate small-value exports, with particular emphasis on exports undertaken through postal, courier and other emerging channels. By removing the RCMC/registration requirement for eligible consignments, the Government seeks to reduce procedural and compliance requirements for exporters undertaking relatively small-value transactions.
Importantly, the relaxation is consignment-value based. Export consignments having an FOB value exceeding ₹3,00,000 will continue to require a valid RCMC or Certificate of Registration wherever such requirement is otherwise applicable under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. Thus, the notification provides a targeted de minimis exemption rather than a general relaxation from RCMC requirements.
The move is expected to benefit small exporters, MSMEs, e-commerce exporters and businesses undertaking low-ticket cross-border shipments, by simplifying entry-level export compliance and facilitating greater participation in international trade through postal, courier and newer export channels.
The Notification can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Eng-Notification-36.pdf
