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Reviewed & Authoritatively Verified by:
Pratham Agarwal, Founder & Principal EXIM Consultant
ISO 9001:2015 Certified Advisory • Specialist in DGFT Policy 2023-28, RoDTEP Ledger Claims, Export Incentives & Buyer Generation
By Pratham Agarwal, Founder, Rasp International. Reviewed against DGFT Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated 15 September 2026 on 4 October 2026. Last updated 4 October 2026.
No RCMC needed for an export consignment up to Rs 3 lakh: the short answer
DGFT Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated 15 September 2026 removes the Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) requirement for any export consignment whose Free on Board (FOB) value does not exceed Rs 3,00,000. Above that value, the RCMC requirement continues wherever it is otherwise applicable under Foreign Trade Policy 2023. The exemption also covers the Certificate of Registration, needs no application and took effect immediately.
The rule that decides everything: the Rs 3,00,000 test is applied to the FOB value of each consignment, not to your yearly export turnover.
Key facts table: RCMC exemption for low value exports
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Scheme name | De minimis exemption from Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) requirements for low value exports |
| Governing body | Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Parent policy | Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2.57, new sub-paragraph (c) |
| Legal basis | Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated 15 September 2026 |
| Who it is for | Exporters of consignments with FOB value up to Rs 3,00,000, including postal, courier and other small value channels |
| What you get | No requirement to hold an RCMC or a Certificate of Registration for that consignment |
| Validity or deadline | Immediate effect. No application and no deadline. |
| Where you apply | Nowhere. The notification says the requirement shall not apply. |
Why we are writing about Notification 36
The number that matters is Rs 3,00,000 per consignment. The notification text speaks of the FOB value of the consignment, so a reader who thinks of it as a yearly limit will plan the wrong way.
Fact checked against DGFT Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated 15 September 2026. Last regulatory review: October 2026.
Rasp International is an ISO 9001:2015 certified EXIM and DGFT consultancy in Agra. We help exporters with RCMC applications and export compliance, so we read this notification line by line.
What the RCMC exemption is
The RCMC exemption is a policy amendment that lifts the requirement to hold a Registration cum Membership Certificate or a Certificate of Registration for an export consignment of low value, issued by the DGFT under Foreign Trade Policy 2023. The notification states its aim: to promote small value exports, especially through postal, courier and other emerging channels.
An RCMC is a membership certificate issued by an Export Promotion Council or a commodity board. Our RCMC registration page explains how it is obtained. For courier and e-commerce sellers, the matching guide is our ecommerce export setup page.
What the exemption changes, with 15 worked examples
The exemption is a one time rule change that saves the step of holding an RCMC for small consignments. It is not a payment or a refund. No money is claimed.
Consignment value table: inside or outside the Rs 3,00,000 limit
The figures are worked examples applied to the rule in Notification No. 36/2026-27. They are not client cases.
| Worked example | FOB value of the consignment (Rs) | Inside the exemption | RCMC position |
|---|
| 1 | 10,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 2 | 20,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 3 | 40,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 4 | 50,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 5 | 1,00,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 6 | 1,50,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 7 | 2,00,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 8 | 2,50,000 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 9 | 2,99,999 | Yes | RCMC not required |
| 10 | 3,00,000 | Yes (the text says does not exceed) | RCMC not required |
| 11 | 3,00,001 | No | Requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable |
| 12 | 3,50,000 | No | Requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable |
| 13 | 4,00,000 | No | Requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable |
| 14 | 5,00,000 | No | Requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable |
| 15 | 10,00,000 | No | Requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable |
Is a courier or a customs broker asking you for an RCMC on a small parcel?
Message Rasp International on WhatsApp for a quick check.
See our RCMC registration service.
Rs 2,50,000 is inside the Rs 3,00,000 limitRasp International handles RCMC registration with the right Export Promotion Council.
Talk to our team for a free assessment. 20+ years of Bharat EXIM expertise.
What changed, old versus new
DGFT Notification No. 36/2026-27 inserted a new sub-paragraph (c) after sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 2.57 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
| Parameter | Previous position | Current position | What it means for the exporter | Source |
|---|
| Text of paragraph 2.57 | Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) only | Sub-paragraph (c) added | The change sits inside the policy text itself | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| FOB value test | None in paragraph 2.57 | FOB value of the consignment must not exceed Rs 3,00,000 | Check the FOB value on each consignment | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| Certificates covered | RCMC or Certificate of Registration, where required | Neither is required for a consignment inside the limit | The exemption covers both documents | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| Override wording | Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) applied | Sub-paragraph (c) applies notwithstanding (a) and (b) | The new rule takes priority inside its limit | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| Consignments above the limit | Requirement applied where otherwise applicable | Requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable under the policy | No relief above Rs 3,00,000 | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| Effective date | Not applicable | Immediate effect, notification dated 15 September 2026 | It applies to consignments from that date | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| Stated purpose | Not applicable | Promote small value exports, especially postal, courier and other emerging channels | Small sellers are the target group | Notification 36/2026-27 |
| Approval route | Not applicable | Issued with the approval of the Minister of Commerce and Industry | It is a policy level change | Notification 36/2026-27 |
Where readers can go wrong on Notification 36
A common misreading is that the exporter’s total yearly turnover must stay under Rs 3 lakh. The notification text speaks of the FOB value of the consignment. An exporter with many small consignments tests each one on its own.
Not yet confirmed:
- Whether splitting one large order into several consignments only to stay inside the limit is accepted. The notification tests each consignment and does not speak about splitting. Ask before you plan it.
- How ICEGATE, couriers and customs brokers treat the exemption on the shipping bill in daily practice. The notification does not describe the filing screen.
- The direct link to the notification on the DGFT site. Check dgft.gov.in for the current copy.
Verify the position with your courier or customs broker before you ship, and keep a copy of the notification with your shipping bill papers.
Who qualifies for the RCMC exemption
Who qualifies
Any exporter qualifies for a consignment whose FOB value does not exceed Rs 3,00,000. The notification names postal, courier and other emerging channels as the focus, but its operative text speaks of an export consignment in general.
Who is NOT eligible
- A consignment with an FOB value above Rs 3,00,000. The RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirement continues wherever it is otherwise applicable.
- An exporter who assumes the exemption removes other conditions. The notification deals only with RCMC and Certificate of Registration. A scheme or licence can carry its own conditions, so read each one.
Edge cases under Notification 36
A consignment of exactly Rs 3,00,000. The operative text says the FOB value must not exceed Rs 3,00,000, so a consignment of exactly Rs 3,00,000 is inside the exemption.
A consignment of Rs 3,00,001. One rupee over the limit takes the consignment outside the exemption. The requirement continues wherever otherwise applicable.
Many small consignments in one year. The test is applied to each consignment. The yearly total of the exporter is not part of the wording.
One Rs 5,00,000 order shipped in two parts. The notification does not address this. See the Not yet confirmed list above.
Rasp International handles RCMC registration with the right Export Promotion Council.
Talk to our team for a free assessment. 20+ years of Bharat EXIM expertise.
How to use the exemption, stage by stage
- Stage 1: Before you apply. Nothing to apply for. Confirm the FOB value of the consignment from your invoice. FOB excludes international freight and insurance.
- Stage 2: Filing. Declare the FOB value on the shipping bill as usual. Your courier or customs broker files the shipping bill for courier and broker routes. Tell them the consignment is inside Notification 36/2026-27 if they ask for an RCMC.
- Stage 3: After filing. Keep the shipping bill, the invoice and a copy of the notification together. These are your evidence if anyone asks why no RCMC was shown.
- The lapse penalty. There is no deadline. The exemption is lost for any consignment whose FOB value goes above Rs 3,00,000.
- The fast track. The notification names postal and courier channels as its focus. It creates no separate fast track.
Courier and postal sellers gain most from the exemptionSix worked examples by sector
These are illustrative examples with round numbers and no named client.
- Engineering. A manufacturer sends a replacement machine part worth Rs 1,00,000. Document: shipping bill with the FOB value. Benefit: no RCMC for the consignment. Pitfall: adding international freight to the FOB figure.
- Textiles. A boutique sends sample garments worth Rs 2,50,000. Document: invoice and shipping bill. Benefit: no RCMC for the consignment. Pitfall: treating the next order of Rs 4,00,000 the same way.
- Handicrafts. A seller ships a wooden carving worth Rs 40,000 by courier. Document: courier shipping bill. Benefit: no RCMC for the consignment. Pitfall: assuming the exemption also removes the need for an Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
- Food and Agriculture. An exporter sends spices worth Rs 4,00,000. Document: RCMC or Certificate of Registration where otherwise applicable. Result: outside the exemption. Pitfall: assuming the exemption applies because earlier parcels were small.
- Marine and Seafood. A supplier ships frozen seafood worth Rs 5,00,000. Document: RCMC or Certificate of Registration where otherwise applicable. Result: outside the exemption. Pitfall: leaving the certificate check until the shipping date.
- The cautionary tale (an illustrative composite, not a named client). An e-commerce seller ships Rs 50,000 parcels for months without an RCMC. A buyer then orders Rs 3,50,000 of goods in one consignment. The seller assumes the exemption covers every shipment. The consignment is above the limit, so the exemption does not apply to it. The point of no return was the shipment date.
Our 7 step methodology for RCMC and low value exports
- We review your typical consignment sizes. This shows whether the exemption covers most of your shipments.
- We check whether any scheme or licence you use asks for an RCMC on its own terms. The exemption does not change those conditions.
- We help you structure invoices so that the FOB value is clear. The test depends on that figure.
- We compare courier and freight routes for your volume. The route affects who files the shipping bill.
- If a consignment goes above Rs 3,00,000 we identify the Export Promotion Council or board you need. The requirement continues above the limit.
- We handle the RCMC application when you need one. A missing certificate stops the shipment.
- We check that your RCMC details are mapped on ICEGATE. A mismatch causes queries at clearance.
The two steps that protect most exporters are step 3 (a clear FOB value) and step 7 (RCMC details mapped correctly).
Planning a consignment close to the Rs 3,00,000 line?
Message Rasp International on WhatsApp before you pack.
See our RCMC registration service.
What the RCMC exemption will not do
- It will not remove the need for an Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
- It will not cover a consignment with an FOB value above Rs 3,00,000.
- It will not change the conditions of any scheme or licence that sets its own rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is RCMC mandatory for exports under 3 lakh?
No. DGFT Notification No. 36/2026-27 says the RCMC or Certificate of Registration requirement does not apply to an export consignment whose FOB value does not exceed Rs 3,00,000. Above that value the requirement continues wherever it is otherwise applicable under Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
Does the Rs 3 lakh RCMC exemption apply per year?
No. The notification tests the FOB value of the consignment and sets no yearly limit. Each consignment is checked on its own, so an exporter with many small consignments tests each one separately. The exporter’s total yearly turnover is not part of the wording of the notification.
Do I need an RCMC for courier exports?
Not if the FOB value of the courier consignment does not exceed Rs 3,00,000. The notification names postal and courier channels as its focus. Above Rs 3,00,000 the RCMC requirement continues wherever it is otherwise applicable, so check the value on the invoice before the courier files.
What is the FOB value for the RCMC exemption?
FOB means Free on Board. It is the value of the goods up to the port of export, without international freight and insurance. The consignment value on your invoice must be at or below Rs 3,00,000 for the exemption to apply.
Which paragraph of the Foreign Trade Policy was amended?
Notification No. 36/2026-27 inserted sub-paragraph (c) after sub-paragraph (b) in paragraph 2.57 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023. The new text applies notwithstanding sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph, and the change took effect immediately from the date of the notification, 15 September 2026.
Do e-commerce exporters need an RCMC?
Not for a consignment with an FOB value up to Rs 3,00,000. The notification mentions emerging channels along with postal and courier. A single large consignment above Rs 3,00,000 falls outside the exemption, so an e-commerce seller should check the FOB value of every bulk order before it ships.
Does this exemption change the rules of other export schemes?
No. The notification deals only with the RCMC and Certificate of Registration requirement in paragraph 2.57. A scheme or licence that sets its own conditions keeps them. Read the conditions of each scheme or incentive you claim, because one of them may still ask for a registration of its own.
What happens if my consignment is exactly Rs 3,00,000?
It is inside the exemption. The operative text says the FOB value of the consignment must not exceed Rs 3,00,000, and a value of exactly Rs 3,00,000 does not exceed it. One rupee more takes the consignment outside the exemption, so keep the invoice value accurate and consistent.
What if a courier or customs broker still asks for an RCMC?
Share a copy of Notification No. 36/2026-27 and show the FOB value on the invoice. If the consignment is inside Rs 3,00,000, the notification says the requirement does not apply. Ask the courier or broker to confirm in writing how they will file, and keep that reply with your papers.
Do I still need an IEC if I am exempt from RCMC?
Yes. The notification deals only with the RCMC and Certificate of Registration requirement. It says nothing that removes the Importer Exporter Code (IEC), so keep your IEC active and its details updated. Our IEC page explains how the code is obtained and kept current for export filings.
Is there an application, a fee or a deadline for the exemption?
No application is described and no deadline is set. It is a change in the policy text, so no money is claimed or paid under it. The notification does not change GST, customs duty or export duty rules, which stay as they are for every consignment you ship.
Can I split a large order into smaller consignments?
The notification tests each consignment and does not speak about splitting one order into several. Whether that is accepted for this exemption is not stated in the text. Ask your customs broker or consultant before you plan it, and do not rely on splitting as a way to avoid the requirement.
How long should I keep records for exempt consignments?
The notification sets no retention period. Keep the invoice, the shipping bill and a copy of Notification No. 36/2026-27 for as long as your auditor or customs broker advises, so you can explain why no RCMC was shown if a question comes up later on any consignment.
Can the Rs 3 lakh limit change?
Yes. DGFT can amend a policy paragraph by a new notification, as it did here. Check dgft.gov.in for the current notification before you rely on the limit for a shipment planned months ahead, and re-check it whenever DGFT issues new notifications on RCMC or low value exports.
Do I need a consultant for the RCMC exemption?
No. The exemption needs no application. A consultant such as Rasp International helps in three cases: you cross the limit and need an RCMC, a scheme you use asks for one on its own terms or your courier needs help reading Notification 36/2026-27 for a particular consignment.
This week checklist for low value exports
- List the FOB value of your last 20 consignments and mark those above Rs 3,00,000.
- Download Notification No. 36/2026-27 and save it with your shipping bill papers.
- Tell your courier or customs broker which consignments are inside the limit.
- Check whether any scheme you use asks for an RCMC under its own conditions.
How Rasp International helps with RCMC and export compliance
Rasp International is an ISO 9001:2015 certified EXIM and DGFT consultancy based in Agra, with a family legacy in international trade since 2005 and more than 500 exporters served. We handle DGFT licensing, export incentives, customs compliance and buyer development, including RCMC applications.
Message Rasp International on WhatsApp for export compliance support. Read more: ecommerce export setup for courier sellers.
Sources
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Notification No. 36/2026-27 dated 15 September 2026, De minimis exemption from Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) requirements for low value exports. File No. 01/89/180/01/AM-25/PC-9/E-37214. Official site: dgft.gov.in.
- Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2.57, as amended by Notification No. 36/2026-27.
This is general guidance. Rules change. Verify against the current notification before you ship or pay.
Related: RCMC registration | Ecommerce export setup | Importer Exporter Code (IEC)
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