Govt extends RoDTEP benefits to e-commerce

New Delhi: The government on Thursday announced extension of export benefits under RoDTEP scheme to e-commerce exports through post or couriers.

The Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) provides for refund of taxes, duties and levies that are incurred by exporters in the process of manufacturing and distribution of goods and are not being reimbursed under any other mechanism at the centre, state, or local level. The commerce ministry will soon put in place the necessary IT framework and other enablers for extension of the scheme for the exporters.

“We are extending RoDTEP benefits for exports through e-commerce,” Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here. The step will help SME sectors take advantage of government schemes, further pushing e-commerce exports and boosting overall export growth from the country to achieve the target of $1 trillion merchandise exports by 2030. Goyal also released a handbook for MSMEs with focus on e-commerce exports.

The handbook -- currently available in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Kannada -- is being translated into other vernacular languages and aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for new entrepreneurs looking to export through the e-commerce route.