I am a small exporter from India who sells products through e-commerce portals like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon. I follow every rule — filing GST, using the legal CSB-V mode, shipping through partners like FedEx, DHL, and receiving payments through RBI-approved gateways.

Recently, I received a notice from my bank asking for ₹200 + GST per shipping bill for closure/write-off — for over 800 shipping bills. Some are also marked in a “caution list”, and they are now demanding additional overdue charges.

This situation is not just affecting me — it is affecting thousands of small exporters like me across India, especially those who use e-commerce channels and follow the legal route. That’s why I am raising my voice publicly — to bring attention to an unfair system that is punishing the very people doing the right thing.
 

The Key Problems:

1. High Bank Charges:  For every small shipping bill, banks are charging ₹200 or more. Even if the order is only $10, we still have to pay this amount. We are not taking any government benefits. Why should we pay so much?
2. EDPMS Issues & Penalties Without Information:
   We don’t get any SMS, email, or alert when shipping bills remain open. After many months, the bank shows pending bills and asks for closure. Then they ask for documents again, and even charge penalties.
   This is not our fault. If the system doesn’t inform us, how will we know?
3. High Processing Fees and No Access to EDPMS Records
   Small exporters suffer most because of high processing fees and multiple charges (for shipping bills, bank closures, penalties, etc.). These charges come at different steps and reduce our small profit margins.
   Also, when there are EDPMS issues, RBI sends notices, but we have no direct access to check our export data.  We have to fully depend on banks to tell us what is pending. This causes unnecessary delays and complications, and we cannot take action in time. We request a system where we can see and track our own export data directly.
4. No Portal to Check or Close Bills:  There is no online system like GST where exporters can log in and see the status of their exports. We depend fully on banks, which delays the process.
5. Wrong Treatment for CSB-V Users:  Exporters using CSB-IV or courier services without shipping bills are not facing these issues. But we, who use CSB-V with full compliance, are facing the most trouble. It feels like we are being punished for doing the right thing.
6. Mental and Financial Stress: Small business owner do not have big profits.  they cannot afford to hire extra people just to track these bills. they doing everything properly already: GST, shipping bills, customs clearance — then why is RBI and the bank putting extra burden on us?

The impact on my mental health has been devastating, and I am even considering quitting this business. Sadly, I am not the only one — many other exporters are facing this same problem. To avoid these burdens, some have switched to CSB-IV or even direct courier methods without proper shipping bills, which I know is illegal, but it's the only way they feel they can survive.

This situation is not just about me, but thousands of small exporters like us, who are now struggling with unfair charges and systemic issues, even when we are doing things the right way. That’s why I am making this issue public — so that it can be addressed for all of us.

 
🙏 My Requests to the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce, DGFT, and RBI:
Remove or reduce bank closure charges for small-value exports.
Allow auto-closure of bills below $1,000 where payment has been received and verified.
Create an online portal for exporters to track, receive reminders, and close shipping bills.
Stop penalties unless exporters are notified in advance.
Support law-abiding CSB-V exporters who follow all rules but are now being harassed.
Simplify and modernize the export compliance system, especially for e-commerce exporters and MSMEs.
 
I am not alone — many small exporters are silently struggling with the same issues. I am bringing this to light not just for myself, but for every small exporter who is trying to grow India’s exports the honest way.

If left unresolved, these issues will kill the spirit of entrepreneurship and hurt India's export potential from the grassroots level.

Please sign and share this petition to demand fair treatment, a transparent system, and real support for India’s small e-commerce exporters.