Courier Export Limit for E-commerce Sellers: Is the ₹10 Lakh Cap Still There, and What Benefits Apply?

As of 9 November 2026, DGFT's published Foreign Trade Policy chapter on cross-border e-commerce says: "There shall be no value limit prescribed per consignment for exports through courier service". The ₹10 lakh figure you may see comes from an earlier stage: in August 2025 the Minister of State for Commerce said in Parliament that CBIC had raised the courier export value limit to ₹10 lakh. So the older cap is not what the current policy text states. Customs-side procedures and the product itself still matter.

What does the policy say now?

Chapter 9 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 covers cross-border trade in the digital economy. The relevant paragraph says exports through a registered courier service or Foreign Post Office are permitted as per notifications under the Customs Act, 1962. It adds that exportability of items is still regulated by the FTP and export policy in ITC(HS), and that there is no value limit per consignment for courier exports.

The PDF is the live DGFT file and refers to a policy press note dated 23 July 2026, so it has been updated recently. We could not find a dated CBIC notification in the sources we opened that spells out the change from ₹10 lakh to no limit, so treat the FTP text as the current statement and ask your courier for the Customs-side position.

Why do people still say ₹10 lakh?

The cap existed for e-commerce courier exports and was raised over time. The August 2025 report says CBIC raised the value limit to ₹10 lakh. The same report mentions an RBI draft circular proposing that authorised dealer banks close shipping bills up to ₹10 lakh based on quarterly declarations from exporters, under the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System. That is a different ₹10 lakh: it is about closing shipping bills for small-value exports, not a cap on what you can ship. Searches blur the two.

If your source mentions ₹10 lakh, check the date and what it is about before you rely on it.

What benefits apply to courier-mode exports?

The August 2025 report says export duty remissions, such as duty drawback and remission of duties and taxes on export products, were extended to courier-mode exports from 12 September 2024. That report does not give rates, product lists or claim steps, so we cannot state any rate here.

What we can say from DGFT's chapter: under the new inventory-based export framework, export rebates and refunds are defined to include duty drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL. That definition applies to that framework, not to every courier shipper. For your own claims:

1. Ask your courier or customs broker whether your product and shipping route qualify.
2. Check the current drawback and RoDTEP rates for your HS code on the CBIC and DGFT sites.
3. Keep your shipping bill number, invoice and bank realisation records; claims depend on them.

For example, if your courier files a shipping bill for a ₹40,000 consignment, any drawback or RoDTEP is computed from the rate for your HS code on the shipping bill value. Do not assume a rate; look it up.

Which products can you export by courier?

Policy permits courier export, but exportability is regulated by the FTP and ITC(HS). Prohibited and restricted items stay that way. Separately, the chapter says exports of precious-metal jewellery by courier mode through e-commerce, and re-import of such shipments returned by the buyer, are allowed as per Customs notifications and procedures. That is a special case with its own procedures, so do not treat it as a general rule for jewellery.

What do you need to start courier exports?

• An IEC from DGFT. Amazon's export documents list gives it as a 10-digit number.
• A GST registration and an annual LUT if you export without paying IGST.
• An AD Code from your bank (same source).
• A registered courier or the postal route. See the Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra guide for the post office route.
• Correct HS code, invoice and packing list for each parcel.

Our Amazon Global Selling registration guide covers these documents in order.

Courier export vs Amazon SEND vs postal: how do they differ?

The DNK count is from the Parliament reply as reported.

How do courier, express and postal shipping differ for sellers?

Amazon's shipping guide describes courier or express as the option for small parcels with tracking, with express to the UAE typically taking 1 to 3 business days. It describes the postal route (India Post) as the budget option for light packages, through International Speed Post (EMS), Air Parcel and Registered Mail, with standard shipping to Canada or Australia taking up to 10 to 12 business days. Air and sea freight suit bulk consignments instead.

The right mode depends on parcel weight, value and how fast the buyer expects it. A low-value, light item may suit postal. A higher-value item that needs tracking and insurance usually suits an express courier. Compare quotes by weight slab, including fuel and remote-area surcharges, and ask whether duties at destination can be prepaid (DDP) or are collected from the buyer (DDU).

What goes wrong with courier exports?

• Description mismatch. The goods description, HS code and invoice do not match the listing, and the parcel is held.
• Missing IEC or wrong GST treatment, so the courier cannot file the shipping bill properly.
• No proof of export realisation. Keep marketplace payout statements and bank credit advices. Claims and bank closure of shipping bills depend on them.
• Returns. The chapter names re-import of returned shipments for precious-metal jewellery; for other goods, ask your customs broker how returns will be handled before you promise free returns.
• Assuming one rule for all products. Restricted and prohibited items remain so.

FAQ

Is there a ₹10 lakh limit on courier exports in 2026? DGFT's current FTP chapter says no value limit is prescribed per consignment for courier exports. An August 2025 report said CBIC had raised the cap to ₹10 lakh. Older articles may quote the cap; check dates.

Who set the courier export limit? Courier exports are permitted under notifications issued under the Customs Act, 1962, which sit with CBIC. The August 2025 report attributes the raise to ₹10 lakh to CBIC.

Can I claim duty drawback on courier exports? The August 2025 report says duty drawback and duty remission were extended to courier-mode exports from 12 September 2024. Rates and procedure are not given there, so check your HS code with your customs broker.

Does RoDTEP apply to courier exports? The report refers to remission of duties and taxes on export products, which is the idea behind RoDTEP, but does not name the scheme or give rates. Confirm with a customs broker before you price on it.

Do I still need an IEC for courier exports? Amazon's export documents list an IEC as the code issued by DGFT that gives access to incentive schemes. Ask your courier whether they will file on your IEC or need another arrangement for very small shipments.

What is the ₹10 lakh figure about shipping bills? It is a separate RBI draft proposal letting banks close shipping bills up to ₹10 lakh on quarterly exporter declarations. It is not a cap on parcel value.

Next step

Before your first courier export, confirm the current Customs position with your courier, and have your IEC, AD Code and LUT ready. If you also plan to sell on Amazon's overseas marketplaces, Blooprint's Amazon account management team can help with listings and setup.