India allows foreign-funded e-commerce platforms to hold inventory for export sales
The government has relaxed FDI rules for inventory-led e-commerce exports of domestically made goods, while retaining safeguards for domestic B2C retail. The move is aimed at scaling e-commerce exports towards a $200–300 billion target by 2030.
What happened
Government of India (DPIIT) · India has relaxed FDI restrictions on inventory-led e-commerce only for exports of domestically made goods. Foreign-funded
Key facts
- 100% FDI remains permitted in marketplace and B2B e-commerce
- India e-commerce exports: $4-5 billion in FY24
- E-commerce exports were 1.14% of India’s total shipments in FY24
- India target for e-commerce exports: $200-300 billion by 2030
- India total export target: $1 trillion by 2030
- Global e-commerce exports: $1.34-1.74 trillion
- Projected global e-commerce exports by 2035: $4.30-4.85 trillion
- Export Promotion Mission allocation: Rs 25,060 crore
- Five pilot E-commerce Export Hubs operationalised
Why this matters
Strategic buyers should prioritize partnerships or acquisitions in export fulfillment, seller enablement, compliance and international marketplace distribution as foreign-funded platforms gain permission to own export inventory.