1. Register your business
Business registration and PAN are the foundation for all export paperwork.
Register your business and obtain a PAN card — this is the foundation for every export document you'll file later, from invoices to customs declarations. Choose a business structure (proprietorship, partnership, or private limited) that fits your scale and liability comfort.
2. Apply for an IEC (Import Export Code)
No export is legally possible without a valid IEC.
Apply for an IEC from the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade). It's a one-time registration, usually processed online within a few working days, and is mandatory before you ship anything internationally.
3. Register with the relevant Export Promotion Council
EPC registration unlocks incentives specific to your product category.
Every product category has a corresponding Export Promotion Council. Registering gives you access to government incentives, market intelligence, and sometimes buyer introductions specific to your industry.
4. Open a current account for foreign exchange
You'll need a bank that can process incoming foreign currency payments.
Open a current account with a bank authorized to handle foreign exchange transactions. This is where your export proceeds will land, and your bank will also issue the paperwork (like a Bank Realisation Certificate) needed for compliance.
5. Research your product and market
Choose a product with real global demand and a market you can realistically serve.
Study global demand, competition, and pricing for your product category. Just as important — be honest about your own manufacturing or sourcing capacity, so you can commit to order volumes you can actually deliver.
6. Find the correct HSN code for your product
Your HSN code determines duty rates and the documents you'll need.
Classifying your product under the right HSN code affects the duty you pay and the paperwork required at customs. Getting it wrong can cause delays or penalties, so verify it carefully before your first shipment.
→ Try the free HSN Code Finder7. Identify potential buyers
B2B platforms, trade fairs, and EPC directories are common starting points.
Look for buyers through B2B marketplaces, international trade fairs, or your Export Promotion Council's buyer directories. Cold outreach with a clear, specific product pitch tends to work better than generic mass messaging.
→ Try the free Buyer Finder8. Understand Incoterms (FOB, CIF, CFR)
Incoterms define exactly where your responsibility ends and the buyer's begins.
Knowing the difference between FOB, CIF, and CFR — and the other Incoterms — tells you exactly who pays for freight and insurance, and at what point risk transfers to the buyer. Misunderstanding this is one of the most common costly mistakes new exporters make.
→ Try the free FOB / CIF / CFR Calculator9. Prepare your key export documents
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin are the core set.
Every shipment needs a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin at minimum. Additional documents may be required depending on your product and destination country.
→ Try the free Invoice Generator→ Try the free Packing List Generator
10. Calculate your export pricing carefully
Freight, insurance, and margin all need to be factored into your final price.
Build your export price from the ground up — product cost, packing, freight, insurance, and your margin. Underpricing to win a first order is a common trap that's hard to recover from once a buyer expects that rate going forward.
11. Partner with a reliable freight forwarder
A good freight forwarder or CHA smooths out customs and shipping logistics.
A dependable freight forwarder or customs house agent (CHA) handles the logistics complexity so you can focus on your product and buyers. Ask other exporters in your category for recommendations before committing.
12. Ensure secure payment collection
Letters of credit, advance payment, and other secure terms protect your cash flow.
Once your first shipment ships, collect payment through secure terms — a Letter of Credit (LC), advance payment, or another method that protects you from non-payment risk. Don't extend open credit terms to a new buyer on your first order.