Executive Summary:
This trade notice announces draft modalities for the pilot launch of E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEH), as proposed in the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. It seeks proposals from stakeholders for setting up ECEHs to improve infrastructure and facilities for cross-border e-commerce. Proposals can be submitted via email to ecommercedgftatgovdotin and afaquedotmoinatgovdotin.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEH):**
* Designated areas to improve infrastructure and facilities for cross-border e-commerce.
* Objectives include predictability, shortest turnaround time for e-commerce exports, easy re-import for returns/rejects, and consolidating stakeholders.
* **Pilot Launch:**
* The government will initiate a pilot launch of ECEHs based on the draft modalities.
* Notifications and Circulars will be issued after the pilot launch and feedback.
* **Proposals for Setting up ECEH:**
* Detailed proposals are invited for examination, support, and handholding.
* Proposals should include software requirements for seamless export clearances.
* Submit proposals via email to ecommercedgftatgovdotin and afaquedotmoinatgovdotin.
* **Movement of Goods to ECEH:**
* Goods from GST-registered suppliers must be transported under a GST-compliant document, including an E-way bill if required.
* The transporter shows the document to the ECEH operator for entry.
* The ECEH operator captures document details electronically.
* **Prescreening of Goods:**
* The ECEH operator verifies goods (description, classification, EXIM policy, quantity) against the GST document.
* The date of arrival is recorded electronically.
* Discrepancies are modified electronically.
* Validation data is fed into Customs Systems for reconciliation and risk management.
* **ECEH Design:**
* Two physical components:
* Fulfillment area for packing, labeling, and storage after prescreening.
* Customs Station (ICT, ICD, AFS, FPO, etc.) for customs clearance after a buyer is found.
* **Fulfilment Processes:**
* ECEH provides agglomeration benefits: storage, packaging, labeling, certification testing, and other common export facilities.
* **Customs Clearance Process:**
* A commercial invoice is generated.
* The ECEH operator files the Shipping Bill (SB) as an agent.
* The SB is linked to the prescreened GST document.
* RMS (Risk Management System) is triggered, and assessment takes place.
* Physical packing occurs under Customs supervision; packages are identified by QR codes.
* The ECEH operator files a Cargo Ready Report on ICES.
* Packages are taken to the Customs Station after scanning QR codes, triggering goods registration.
* RMS determines examination requirements, considering prescreening and packing supervision.
* Examination (if required) is carried out in the Customs Station.
* LEO (Let Export Order) is granted, and goods are stored in the Customs Station.
* A transshipment request is filed, and TP permission is generated.
* Goods are taken to the port of export under a customs seal.
* After export and EGM filing, the SB is processed for export-related claims.
* GST document linked to SB and EGM demonstrates GST compliance.
Impact Analysis:
* **Cross-Border E-Commerce Stakeholders:**
* Impact: Requires understanding of new ECEH modalities, potential benefits from improved infrastructure and faster clearances.
* Action Required: Consider submitting proposals for setting up ECEHs.
* **GST Registered Suppliers:**
* Impact: Need to comply with documentation requirements for transporting goods to ECEHs.
* Action Required: Ensure GST compliance and proper documentation (including E-way bill).
* **Transporters:**
* Impact: Responsible for presenting GST documents to ECEH operators.
* Action Required: Show required documents to ECEH operator.
* **ECEH Operators:**
* Impact: Significant responsibility for prescreening, electronic record-keeping, validation, and linking documents for customs clearance.
* Action Required: Devise electronic systems for capturing document details, implement prescreening processes, and manage customs clearance efficiently.
* **Customs Authorities:**
* Impact: Need to adapt systems for linking GST documents to SBs and incorporating ECEH data into risk management.
* Action Required: Develop customs systems to accommodate the linking of GST documents to Shipping Bills.
Key Entities Referenced
ECommerce Export Hubs (ECEH): Designated areas proposed under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 to act as centers for favorable business infrastructure and facilities for Cross Border ECommerce activities.
Foreign Trade Policy 2023: A policy document that includes a section (Section B of Chapter 9) referencing ECommerce Export Hubs (ECEH).
Cross Border ECommerce: Refers to the activity of selling and exporting goods via online platforms to customers in other countries.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, responsible for formulating and implementing foreign trade policy.
Goods and Services Tax (GST): An indirect tax used in India on the supply of goods and services. GST compliance is related to E-commerce exports through documentation and reconciliation with shipping bills.
Shipping Bill (SB): A document filed by exporters to declare goods being shipped out of the country. In the context of ECEH, the SB is linked to the prescreened GST document for customs clearance.
Customs Station: A designated area within the ECEH where goods are customs cleared after a buyer is found, ready for dispatch. This could be an ICT, ICD, AFS, or FPO.
Md. Moin Afaque: Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, issuing the Trade Notice.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Dated: 22nd August, 2024
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 14 /2024-25
To,
1. All Cross-Border E-Commerce Stakeholders
Subject: Draft Modalities for Pilot Launch of E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEH)
-reg.
Reference Section B of Chapter 9 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, E-
Commerce Export Hubs(ECEH) were proposed as designated areas, which would
act as a centre for favourable business infrastructure and facilities for Cross Border
E-Commerce activities. The major objectives of ECEH are to provide for
predictability and shortest possible turnaround time for E-Commerce Exports, easy
re-import for E-Commerce returns or rejects, bringing various cross-border E-
Commerce stakeholders under one roof.
2. In this reference, draft modalities for operation of ECEHs have been formulated
and are enclosed herewith as Annexure to this Trade Notice. Based on the draft
modalities proposed, the government would like to initiate pilot launch of ECEH.
Further to the pilot launch and suitable feedback(s), Notification(s) and Circular(s)
shall also be issued.
3. In this regard, detailed proposal(s) for setting up ECEH may be submitted to this
directorate, for examination, support and hand-holding. Based on the said
proposal(s), further details including software requirements for ECEH, to facilitate
seamless and expeditious export clearances shall be firmed up. Proposal(s) may be
submitted vide email to ecommerce-dgft[at]gov[dot]in and
afaque[dot]moin[at]gov[dot]in. You may also reach out on the aforementioned
email for any additional information, questions and queries.
This notice is issued with the approval of the competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade
[Issued from File No. 01/89/180/01/AM-23/PC-9/E-35466]Annexure
Draft Modalities for operations of ECEH
a) Movement of goods from supplier’s premises to ECEH
i. Goods from the premises of the GST registered supplier to ECEH shall be transported
by the supplier under the cover of a document as specified in the GST law and rules
made thereunder, including the E-way bill, wherever required.
ii. The transporter will be required to show the said document to the ECEH operator
while presenting the goods for entry into ECEH.
iii. The ECEH operator shall devise a suitable mechanism to electronically capture the
details of such document on an Electronic System established and maintained by such
operator.
b) Pre-screening of goods
i. On arrival, the goods shall undergo a pre-screening by the ECEH operator who will
be responsible for verifying the goods received i.e. description, classification, EXIM
policy compliance, quantity etc. with the details mentioned in the GST document as
referred to in a(i) available on his Electronic System. Date of arrival of goods into the
ECEH shall also be recorded on the Electronic System.
ii. Based upon the pre-screening as above, the GST document as referred to in a(i) will
be validated by the ECEH operator on the aforesaid Electronic System.
iii. Where a discrepancy is noticed, the GST document as referred to in a(i) shall be
modified on the Electronic System.
iv. The validation data with respect to the GST document as referred to in a(i) shall then
be fed into Customs Systems for reconciliation and risk management purposes during
customs clearance of corresponding Shipping Bill (SB).
c) Design of ECEH
i. ECEH shall have two physical components, i.e. distinct segregated areas –
1. first will be the fulfilment area for packing, labelling, storing etc. to take place
after pre-screening and till a buyer is found; and
2. the second will be a Customs Station where the goods will be customs cleared
after the buyer is found, ready for dispatch.
ii. The Customs Station could be an ICT, ICD, AFS or FPO etc. depending upon the
mode of logistics.
d) Fulfilment processes
i. ECEH will function to achieve agglomeration benefits for E-commerce exporters, e.g.
storage, packaging, labelling, certification & testing and other common facilities for
the purpose of exports.
e) Process flow for customs clearance once a buyer is found
i. Commercial invoice is generated.
ii. Shipping Bill (SB) is filed by the ECEH operator working as an agent for the seller
(on the lines of authorized couriers).
iii. On the Customs System, the SB would be linked to the pre-screened GST document
as referred to in a(i) by the ECEH operator. One SB may be linked to one or moresuch documents fully or partially, line-item wise. This would need a new development
on Customs Systems.
iv. RMS is triggered and assessment takes place on Customs Systems, if so selected by
RMS.
v. In parallel, physical packing takes place under supervision of Customs and packing
list is generated. Packages will be identified by unique QR codes linked to SB.
vi. Once the packages are prepared, the ECEH operator files Cargo Ready Report on
ICES for the SB, giving details of packages for reconciliation.
vii. On filing of Cargo Ready Report, the packages are taken into the demarcated Customs
Station upon handheld scanning of QR codes by the Gate Officer. This would trigger
goods registration on Customs Systems.
viii. Upon goods registration, RMS would reveal the decision of examination or otherwise.
In this decision, the fact of pre-screening done by the ECEH operator and packing
under Customs supervision would be considered.
ix. Where RMS or any other intelligence necessitates examination of goods, which is
expected to be in rare cases, it will be carried out in the demarcated Customs Station.
x. Once above processes are complete, LEO is granted by the officer on Customs
Systems and good remain stored in the Customs Station till dispatch.
xi. Once the aforesaid goods are consolidated for transshipment to port of export, a
transshipment request is filed by the ECEH operator and TP permission gets
generated.
xii. Goods are then taken to port of export under a customs seal. The seal is put under
supervision of a preventive officer.
xiii. Once goods are exported from the port of export and EGM is filed, the SB is moved
for processing of export related claims.
xiv. As GST document as referred to in a(i) is linked to SB and the SB is linked to EGM,
the compliance of GST related provisions can be demonstrated by the seller.
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