The government on Wednesday operationalised the inventory-based cross-border e-commerce facilitation framework by notifying detailed procedures for registration, inventory management, compliance, reverse logistics and dispute resolution under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023.

In a public notice, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) -- under the Commerce Ministry said the operational procedures along with a new application form -- Aayaat Niryaat Form (ANF) 9A -- for registration of Exporters-on-Record (EORs), would come into effect immediately.

Under the framework, entities seeking to operate as exporters-on-record will be required to register with the DGFT through ANF-9A and inform the authority of any changes in registration particulars within 30 days.

The decision places primary responsibility on the exporter-on-record for maintaining export inventory, ensuring goods match the specifications declared by sellers and complying with all destination-country requirements before export, including testing, certification, labelling and other regulatory norms.

It also mandates the maintenance of a digital repository linking procurement records, GST invoices and export documents with each seller-on-record.

The repository will be accessible to the DGFT and other authorised agencies, according to the government.

In addition, to improve transparency for sellers, the framework requires exporters-on-record to provide digital access to information such as final overseas sale prices, order status, shipment tracking details and destination countries.

Moreover, product listings must also disclose the identity of the manufacturer or brand owner and, where applicable, the seller-on-record.

The government has capped administrative charges that exporters-on-record can retain at 10 per cent of the gross export rebates and refunds.

Seller-attributable export benefits must be passed on within 30 days of the Exporter-on-Record receiving such rebates and refunds, it added.

Further, exporters-on-record will have to obtain an annual compliance certificate from an independent Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant or another professional specified by the DGFT.