A barter collaboration is a brand deal where you are paid in product, a stay, or access instead of (or as well as) a fee.
Why brands offer it
Budgets for fees are tighter than product. Barter also tests whether you like the item before a paid retainer.
What creators should still demand
Ask for a brief, deliverables, dates, usage rights and disclosure requirements. Product is a form of compensation, so the collaboration still needs clear terms.
Retail MRP and compensation for your time are different values. If the product is worth ₹8,000 and the shoot takes two days, consider whether you would willingly exchange that time for the product before accepting.