New Delhi, Oct 3: The Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC India) on Friday welcomed the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to relax Merchanting Trade Transaction (MTT) rules, calling it a major step towards improving the ease of doing business, especially for MSME exporters and retailers.
Effective October 1, 2025, the RBI has extended the time period for the outlay of foreign exchange under MTT from four to six months, providing traders with greater flexibility. The central bank has also simplified procedures for closing entries in the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) and Import Data Processing and Monitoring System (IDPMS) for transactions valued up to Rs 10 lakh per bill.
According to EEPC India, these changes will significantly ease the compliance burden on smaller exporters while ensuring faster and more flexible trade processes.
“The reforms introduced by the RBI were long-pending demands of EEPC India. This move will reduce compliance challenges for MSME exporters and provide procedural flexibility for merchant traders,” said EEPC Chairman Pankaj Chadha.
Under the revised framework, entries in EDPMS and IDPMS up to Rs 10 lakh—including outstanding entries—can now be reconciled and closed based on a self-declaration by the exporter that payment has been realised or by the importer that the amount has been paid. Additionally, any reduction in the declared or invoice value of shipping bills or bills of entry will also be accepted on the basis of such declarations.
The RBI has recently introduced several measures to boost India’s trade competitiveness, including the promotion of the Indian rupee for cross-border settlements and setting reference rates against major global currencies.
Chadha added that these reforms will not only strengthen India’s trade and investment climate but also gradually help the rupee emerge as a global currency.
