India’s inaugural e-commerce export hubs are set to become operational by March 2025, with pilot launches approved for five firms: Shiprocket and Cargo Service Centre in Delhi, DHL and Lexship in Bengaluru, and goGlocal in Mumbai.

Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi announced the initiative, highlighting its potential to revolutionise India’s export landscape. Key agencies, including the departments of commerce and revenue and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), are finalising a standard operating procedure (SOP) for these hubs.

"We expect the first e-commerce hub operational by March of this year," Sarangi stated. These hubs will feature advanced systems like self-sealing without customs or BCAS examination at gateway ports, simplified reimport policies for returns, and onsite outposts for quality and certifying agencies. The initiative aims to enhance India’s e-commerce export potential, which is currently valued at USD five billion annually compared to China’s USD 250 billion.

By 2030, India’s e-commerce exports could surpass USD 100 billion, eventually growing to USD 200-250 billion. In addition, Sarangi revealed plans for the second phase of the Trade Connect ePlatform, set to offer enhanced services beyond the informational capabilities of the first phase launched in September 2024.

Phase-II will include features for addressing trade disputes, providing trade analytics, and delivering intelligence reports from overseas missions. It will also incorporate trade finance and insurance services to support exporters. This strategic move is part of India’s broader effort to capitalise on the growing global e-commerce market, improving infrastructure and policy frameworks to support the sector.