India with its rich craft tradition of handmade customized products created by artful and skilled artisans is in a perfect position to take advantage of the trend in cross-border business. Small-value retail exports will be a great employment producer and value creator but the extent of dollars earned and employment created would be determined by the extent to which the country can ensure fast and inexpensive shipments.  Here’s a typical example.

Tina, a housewife, just got an order for supply of two ceremonial dresses at $100 each to a US-based girl. She receives about 20 such orders every day. She is an expert designer but knows nothing about exports. Once she gets the payment from the buyer, she hands over the goods to a courier company with invoice details. All remaining tasks like completing customs and shipping formalities and delivery of goods to the consumer are handled by the courier company.

This is where it gets tricky, costly, and cumbersome.

Read more:  Good times for smaller exporters

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