India allows e-commerce platforms to hold export-only inventory, widening MSME access
A new policy lets platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart procure from MSMEs, warehouse goods and manage overseas fulfilment for exports. The move could expand India’s exporter base beyond the current 30,000–40,000 e-commerce exporters, though origin rules and anti-diversion safeguards are still pending.
India has allowed e-commerce platforms to hold inventory solely for exports, enabling Amazon and Flipkart to procure from MSMEs, warehouse goods and manage overseas compliance and fulfillment. The policy could broaden the exporter base, though rules on origin and safeguards against domestic inventory diversion remain pending.
Why this matters
India has also opened export inventory ownership to foreign-funded e-commerce firms and let Amazon and Flipkart buy directly from sellers for exports, extending Amazon’s role from marketplace operator to export fulfilment partner.
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