The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has extended export-related benefits under Duty Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL schemes to goods exported through the postal mode in electronic form, effective January 15, 2026. The move is aimed at boosting e-commerce and MSME exports by ensuring a level playing field for exporters using the postal channel.

To implement the measure, CBIC has approved amendments to the Postal Export (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2022, enabling exporters to claim incentives for postal exports. Accordingly, Notification No. 07/2026–Customs (N.T.) and Circular No. 01/2026–Customs, detailing the operational framework, were issued on January 15, 2026.

The decision is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of MSME exporters, particularly those in smaller towns and remote areas, and provide a major push to cross-border e-commerce through post.

Over the past few years, the Government of India has undertaken extensive policy and digital reforms to strengthen the e-commerce export ecosystem. A dedicated chapter on “Promoting Cross-Border Trade in the Digital Economy” in the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 outlines a comprehensive framework covering courier, post, e-commerce export hubs, Dak Niryat Kendras and other facilitative mechanisms.

India currently has 28 Foreign Post Offices notified under the Customs Act, 1962. CBIC has also rolled out several enabling measures, including end-to-end electronic processing of postal exports, the Postal Import Regulations, 2025, and automation of IGST refunds for postal exports implemented in September 2024.

Further, CBIC, in collaboration with the Department of Posts, introduced a Hub-and-Spoke model in December 2022, designating over 1,000 Dak Niryat Kendras nationwide to facilitate export parcel booking and processing, particularly benefiting small exporters.

The extension of export incentives to postal shipments marks another key milestone in the government’s efforts to simplify procedures, reduce costs and promote inclusive growth of India’s exports in the rapidly evolving global e-commerce landscape.