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RBI eases export rules for Bharat Mart warehouse in UAE

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2025-26/30 · issued 23 Apr 2025 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows exporters using Bharat Mart in UAE to repatriate sale proceeds within nine months of sale, not shipment. AD banks can also approve warehouse setup and operational remittances without pre-conditions, subject to reasonableness checks.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore, working with a bank that has a relationship with Bharat Mart, helps an exporter set up a warehouse in UAE. The officer verifies the exporter's valid Importer Exporter Code and checks the reasonableness of the warehouse setup and operational remittances. With the new RBI relaxation, the officer can approve the warehouse setup and operational remittances without demanding pre-approval letters, reducing the compliance burden and allowing the exporter to focus on their business.

What changed

RBI has relaxed FEMA export timelines for goods sold through Bharat Mart warehouses in UAE: repatriation deadline is now nine months from the date of sale, not from shipment. Additionally, AD banks can permit opening or hiring of warehouses and remittances for setup and recurring expenses without prior RBI approval, provided the exporter holds a valid IEC and the bank verifies reasonableness.

What it means for you

Indian exporters get more working capital flexibility since the nine-month clock starts only after sale, not at export. AD banks have greater autonomy to approve warehouse-related forex transactions, reducing compliance burden. This should boost India's trade footprint in the UAE and beyond via Bharat Mart's multimodal logistics network.

What you must do

Who it affects

Authorised Dealer Category-I banks, Indian exporters using Bharat Mart in UAE, Trade finance and forex operations teams at banks, Exporters with warehouses or plans to set up in UAE

❓ Common questions

What is the new repatriation timeline for exports through Bharat Mart?

Exporters must realise and repatriate the full export value within nine months from the date of sale of the goods from the warehouse, not from the date of shipment.

Do AD banks need RBI approval for warehouse-related remittances under this circular?

No. AD banks can allow opening/hiring of warehouses and remittances for setup and recurring expenses without pre-conditions, after verifying the reasonableness of the amounts and ensuring the exporter has a valid IEC.

Does this circular override other legal or regulatory approvals?

No. The relaxations are under FEMA sections 10(4) and 11(1) and are without prejudice to permissions or approvals required under any other law.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2025-26/30 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 03 April 23, 2025 To, All Authorised Dealer Category-I banks Madam / Sir, Exports through warehouses in ‘Bharat Mart’ in UAE – relaxations Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I banks (AD banks) is invited to Clause (a) of Sub regulation 1 of Regulation 9 of Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods & Services) Regulations, 2015 { Notification No. FEMA 23(R)/2015-RB } and Para C.6 and C.13 of Master Direction – Export of Goods & Services . 2. To facilitate export through warehouses in ‘Bharat Mart’, a multimodal logistics network based marketplace in United Arab Emirates (UAE) that will provide Indian traders, exporters, and manufacturers access to the markets in UAE as well as worldwide, it has been decided to provide the following relaxations: a) AD banks may allow exporters to realise and repatriate full export value of goods exported to ‘Bharat Mart’ within nine months from the date of sale of the goods from the warehouse. b) AD banks may allow the following without any pre-conditions, after verifying the reasonableness of the same: Opening/hiring of a warehouse in ‘Bharat Mart’ by an Indian exporter with a valid Importer Exporter Code. Remittances by the Indian exporter for initial as well as recurring expenses for setup and continuing business operations of its offices. 3. The above instructions shall come into force with immediate effect. AD Category-I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned. 4. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law. Yours faithfully, (N. Senthil Kumar) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2025-26/30 · issued 23 Apr 2025. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Authorised Dealer Category-I banks, Indian exporters using Bharat Mart in UAE, Trade finance and forex operations teams at banks, Exporters with warehouses or plans to set up in UAE), your first concrete step on “RBI eases export rules for Bharat Mart warehouse in UAE” is: “Update internal FEMA compliance checklists to reflect the nine-month sale-based repatriation timeline for Bharat Mart exports.” (RBI issued this 23 Apr 2025).

  1. Circular: RBI/2025-26/30 -- RBI eases export rules for Bharat Mart warehouse in UAE
  2. Issued: 23 Apr 2025
  3. Action required: Update internal FEMA compliance checklists to reflect the nine-month sale-based repatriation timeline for Bharat Mart exports.
  4. Action required: Train trade finance teams to verify reasonableness of warehouse setup and operational remittances without demanding pre-approval letters.
  5. Action required: Advise exporter clients about the new relaxations and document the exporter's valid Importer Exporter Code before processing requests.
  6. Action required: Monitor sale dates carefully to ensure repatriation deadlines are met; maintain clear audit trails for each transaction.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12840&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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