Exports Up to ₹3 Lakh Get an RCMC Exemption: What Small Exporters Need to Know

Starting an export business can involve several registrations, documents and compliance requirements. For small businesses making their first international shipments, even one additional registration can add to the initial compliance burden.

Under DGFT Notification No. 36/2026-27, an RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) or Certificate of Registration will not be required for an export consignment with a Free-on-Board (FOB) value up to ₹3 lakh, wherever such a certificate would otherwise be required under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.

The change aims to make it easier for small and first-time exporters to enter international markets.

What Exactly Has Changed?

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended Paragraph 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. The amendment was issued on 15 September 2026 and came into effect immediately. It provides a specific relaxation for low-value export consignments and is intended to reduce the initial compliance burden for small exporters, including those using postal, courier and other emerging channels.

What Does the ₹3 Lakh Limit Mean?

The threshold applies to the FOB value of each export consignment. It is not a limit on annual turnover, monthly exports or the business's total exports.

If an eligible consignment has an FOB value of ₹2.5 lakh, this RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirement does not apply. If its FOB value is above ₹3 lakh, the exemption is unavailable and the existing requirement continues wherever it otherwise applies.

What Is RCMC?

RCMC stands for Registration-cum-Membership Certificate. Under the Foreign Trade Policy, Export Promotion Councils can act as registering authorities and issue RCMCs to their members. The RCMC framework generally relates to applications for import or export authorisations or other benefits under the policy, subject to specified exceptions and procedures.

This notification creates a specific exemption for eligible low-value consignments. It does not abolish RCMC.

Who Could Benefit?

The Government identifies MSMEs, artisans, small businesses, first-time exporters and emerging exporters as potential beneficiaries. It also expects the measure to facilitate postal, courier and other emerging export channels, including e-commerce-related activity. This may help businesses test overseas demand with smaller consignments before scaling up.

Does This Remove Other Export Compliance?

No. The notification exempts only the RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirement covered by Paragraph 2.57. It does not exempt consignments up to ₹3 lakh from every other export requirement.

Other requirements may still apply depending on the product, destination, transaction and export channel. The right interpretation is: up to ₹3 lakh FOB per consignment means an RCMC/registration certificate exemption, wherever otherwise applicable. It does not mean there is no export compliance.

The Key Takeaway

If you are a small Indian business planning to export, an eligible consignment with an FOB value up to ₹3 lakh is exempt from the RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirement where it would otherwise apply under the Foreign Trade Policy. Above that threshold, the usual requirement continues where applicable.

This is not a blanket exemption from export compliance. Other applicable requirements may still need to be followed. Start small if you want, but export correctly.