The Complete Guide to eCommerce Exports / Cross-border eCommerce from India

India's digital commerce landscape has evolved rapidly in the last decade. With over 1.2 billion mobile users, strong government support, growing internet penetration, and the rise of D2C brands, Indian merchants are now better positioned than ever to take their products global via eCommerce exports — also known as cross-border eCommerce. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything from market size and trends to regulations, categories, logistics, enablers, and more.

📦 What is eCommerce Exports / Cross-border eCommerce?

Cross-border eCommerce involves selling products online from one country to consumers in another through global online marketplaces, D2C platforms, or social commerce. For Indian merchants, this means accessing buyers in markets like the USA, UAE, UK, Singapore, Australia, and beyond — without opening physical stores or setting up local entities.

🌍 Market Size & Opportunity for Indian eCommerce Exports

• As per IBEF and RedSeer reports, India’s eCommerce export market is expected to grow from $5 billion in 2022 to $200 billion by 2030.

• USA remains the largest market for eCommerce exports from India, accounting for 45-50% of total cross-border sales.

• Other fast-growing regions include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, UK, and Canada.

• Amazon Global Selling reported over $8 billion in cumulative eCommerce exports by Indian sellers as of 2022.

• Over 1 lakh Indian exporters are now selling on global platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, eBay, Wayfair, and others.

  
  

📈 Government Policies & Incentives Supporting eCommerce Exports

The Indian government has taken strong initiatives to promote exports via eCommerce:

a. DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)

• Created dedicated eCommerce export promotion cells.

• Rolling out Digital EXIM portals for simplification.

  
  

b. Incentive Schemes

• RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products): Refund of unrefunded taxes/duties.

• MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme) – phased out but was beneficial.

• TIES (Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme) – helps build logistics and warehousing infrastructure.

  
  

c. FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations)

• Running marketplace onboarding and capacity building programs.

• Providing certifications, matchmaking, and representation at trade shows.

There are Export Promotion Councils for several categories too that has been formed to create vertical ecosystem around both B2B and eCommerce exports.

🛍️ Top Product Categories for eCommerce Exports

India is uniquely positioned with several high-demand export categories:

• Fashion & Apparel: India's top eCommerce export category (ethnic & contemporary wear)

• Home Decor & Furniture: Especially from Rajasthan, UP, Kerala

• Jewellery & Handicrafts: Rising demand for silver, tribal, and fusion jewellery

• Wellness & Ayurveda: Skincare, essential oils, herbs, supplements

• Food & Spices: Ready-to-eat, organic pulses, masalas

• Leather Goods & Accessories

  
  

Categories That Face Challenges:

• Electronics (due to regulations)

• Toys (need lab certifications)

• Cosmetics, Supplements, Fine Jewellery, Food/FMCG (require Dubai Municipality or FDA-type registration abroad)

  
  

🌐 Global eCommerce Marketplaces and Access Points

Here’s how Indian sellers can tap into global buyers:

Marketplace	Primary Markets	Model
Amazon Global	USA, UK, UAE, Australia, Germany	Seller Central/Global Selling
Walmart	USA, Canada	Invite-based Marketplace
Etsy	USA, EU, Australia	Craft/Handmade Goods
eBay	Global	Direct Seller Portal
Wayfair	USA	Invite-only furniture/decor
Noon	UAE, Saudi Arabia	Local Seller/IOR required
Lazada	SEA	Local warehouse/fulfillment needed

EximScouts simplifies this by enabling product access to these marketplaces through its seller partner network in USA, UAE, Singapore, and India.

🚚 Role of Logistics & Supply Chain in Crossborder eCommerce

Efficient global fulfillment is critical. India’s exporters face challenges like:

a. Courier Mode (D2C Exports)

• Shiprocket X, Pickrr, XpressBees CrossBorder, ShipGlobal, iThink Logistics, Delhivery Crossborder — offer courier-based global shipping (for parcels <30kg).

  
  

b. Cargo Mode (Amazon FBA, LCL, FCL)

• Sea/Air shipments, customs handling, inventory planning.

  
  

c. Challenges

• High cost of shipping (especially to Tier 2/3 global cities)

• Lengthy customs & documentation processes (Cargo Mode or CSB V courier mode)

• Returns and last-mile fulfillment

  
  

How EximScouts Helps:

• Aggregated shipping rates (courier & cargo)

• IOR & MOR services (Importer/Merchant on Record)

• Warehouses in UAE, USA, Singapore, and India

• Return management, local COD handling

  
  

💳 Payments, Remittances & FinTech

Handling international payments securely and efficiently is a critical pillar:

Fintech Player	Services
Payoneer	International banking, VCC, remittances
PingPong	Marketplace payouts, FX control
Wise, Instarem, Nium	B2B remittances & virtual accounts
PayGlocal, Razorpay, Paytm	Crossborder payment gateway partnerships

🤝 Enablers in the Ecosystem

Tech + Service Enablers

• EximScouts: End-to-end eCommerce export enabler for India-based brands

• Xindus, ShipGlobal, iThink Logistics – provide shipping, warehousing

• Amazon SPNs (Service Provider Network) – 3P account managers, agencies

• SaaS tools like GoKwik, Shopflo, Unicommerce, Vinculum – help with checkout, OMS, WMS

  
  

🌏 The Role of EximScouts

EximScouts plays a vital role in:

• Helping brands identify relevant global markets

• Offering IOR & MOR services (avoiding local incorporation)

• Listing on Amazon Global, Noon, Lazada, Walmart, etc.

• Offering warehousing + fulfillment in USA, UAE, India & Singapore

• Return management & localized support

• Crossborder consulting and inventory planning

• Growth across international markets through eCommerce channels.

  
  

📉 Challenges in Selling Global from India

• Complex compliance across markets (lab testing, packaging norms)

• Absence of tech or supply chain infrastructure

• Difficulty in identifying high-potential markets (Product-Market Fit)

• Forex & remittance delays

• Return handling & customer communication

• Marketplace onboarding hurdles

  
  

🧮 Dropshipping vs. Inventory Holding

Model	Pros	Cons
Dropshipping	No upfront inventory	Delayed delivery, poor customer experience
Local Warehousing	Fast delivery, better conversion	Upfront cost, stock risk

Note: EximScouts enables small inventory testing (Test Marketing) to reduce upfront risk in USA, UAE, Singapore & India.

🇮🇳 Why Global Brands Should Sell in India Too

With over 800M internet users and a growing appetite for international products, India is a lucrative eCommerce market.

• Platforms: Flipkart, Amazon.in, Nykaa, Meesho, Ajio

• EximScouts helps global brands enter India without local incorporation, offering IOR/MOR, warehousing, marketplace listings, and more.

  
  

🔮 The Future of Cross-border eCommerce Exports from India

• Driven by Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) expansion

• Government target: $400 billion in goods exports by 2025, of which eCommerce to contribute 10-15%

• More trade corridors opening with Gulf & ASEAN nations

• Digitization of trade documentation via blockchain

  
  

🧠 Final Takeaway

Cross-border eCommerce is one of India’s biggest growth levers for MSMEs, D2C brands, and artisans. With the right ecosystem, strategic enabler, and infrastructure partner like EximScouts — global selling is no longer a dream.

Let your products travel the world, even if you don’t.