Exporting for the first time can feel like a maze of acronyms and forms. In practice it follows a logical order. Here is the path from idea to shipped cargo.
1. Get an Importer Exporter Code (IEC)
An IEC, issued by the DGFT, is mandatory to export from India. It is a one-time registration tied to your business and PAN. Without it, customs will not process your export.
2. Confirm the buyer, price, and Incoterms
Agree the commercial terms with your buyer, including the Incoterm (such as FOB or CIF), which defines who pays for and bears the risk of each leg of the journey. This shapes your costs and responsibilities.
3. Prepare your export documents
The core documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, and — depending on the destination — a certificate of origin. These must be accurate and consistent with each other, because mismatches are the most common cause of customs delays.
4. File the shipping bill and clear customs
The shipping bill is the primary export document, filed electronically through ICEGATE (usually by your customs broker). After assessment and any examination, customs issues a Let Export Order, authorising the cargo to be loaded.
5. Book freight and ship
Book ocean (FCL or LCL) or air freight with a carrier, hand over the cargo, and obtain the transport document — a bill of lading for sea or an air waybill for air.
6. Send documents and get paid
Forward the shipping documents to your buyer (or through the bank if using a letter of credit) so they can clear customs at destination and release payment per your agreed terms.
Make it easier
A licensed freight forwarder and customs broker handles the documentation, shipping bill, and freight booking for you — so you can focus on the sale, not the paperwork.