New e-commerce policy aims to fix ‘gifting’ loophole

The new draft e-commerce policy has proposed to ban all gifts shipped to India through e-commerce route to put a check especially on Chinese e-commerce platforms misusing the provision.

In the much awaited draft e-commerce policy released on Saturday, the commerce and industry ministry has mandated that all product shipments from other countries to India must be channelized through the customs route.

“In view of the misuse of the ‘gifting’ route, as an interim measure, all such parcels shall be banned, with the exception of life-saving drugs. India Post must conduct due diligence on “from and to” shipping entities and addresses and set thresholds in the shipment booking system to eliminate misuse of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992,” said the draft policy, which is now open for public consultation.