DPIIT press note P-15015/9/2025-FDI Policy · 10 May 2026
Official title
Press Note No. 3 (2026 Series) : Review of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on E-commerce
Official record
Open source pageSummary
Check the official recordThe Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade permits e-commerce entities to use an inventory-based model for the export of goods manufactured or produced in India. This change removes existing restrictions on inventory-based e-commerce models for these specific export activities. Entities must comply with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the Handbook of Procedures, and the Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods & Services) Regulations, 2015. The policy change takes effect from the date of the relevant Foreign Exchange Management Act notification.
What you must do
Key dates
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
FDI Policy Cell
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Press Note No. 3 (2026 Series)
Subject: Review of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on E-commerce Sector.
As per the Consolidated FDI Policy Circular of 2020 dated 15.10.2020, as amended from time to time (FDI Policy), FDI is permitted in Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce and marketplace model of e-commerce. However, FDI is not permitted in Business to Consumer (B2C) e-commerce and inventory-based model of e-commerce where inventory of goods and services is owned by e-commerce entity and is sold to the consumers directly. In order to facilitate greater exports through easier and increased access of global markets by Indian sellers, the extant FDI Policy has been reviewed and it is decided that the restrictions on inventory-based model of e-commerce shall not apply in case of exports of domestically manufactured and/or produced goods/products.
"PARA 5.2.15.2.5 INVENTORY-BASED MODEL OF E-COMMERCE EXCLUSIVELY FOR EXPORTS:
(i) An e-commerce entity is permitted to engage in inventory-based model of e-commerce exclusively for the export of goods/products manufactured and/or produced in India as per the applicable provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 read with the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) and the Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods & Services) Regulations, 2015, as amended from time to time.
(ii) The restrictions on B2C and the inventory-based model of e-commerce stipulated under the provisions of Para 5.2.15.2.1 to Para 5.2.15.2.4 above, shall not apply to the export of goods/products through e-commerce as permitted under Para 5.2.15.2.5(i) above."
[Image omitted. See the official document.] 23/07/2026
(Dr. Jai Prakash Shivahare)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
DPIIT F. No. P-15015/9/2025-FDI Policy dated 23.07.2026
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Who is affected
Exceptions