A good import-export consultant in India tells you the government fee and their own fee separately before starting, has handled your exact registration many times, lets you keep control of your DSC and portal logins, and is honest that they are a private firm, not a government office. Avoid anyone who guarantees approvals or incentive amounts.
Key takeaways
- Ask for government fees and professional fees separately.
- Keep your DSC token and portal passwords under your control.
- No consultant can guarantee approval; DGFT, Customs and councils decide.
- Check experience with your product and your specific scheme.
What should you check before hiring an export consultant?
Check fee clarity, relevant experience, exact scope, how documents and logins are handled, response time and whether they will tell you when you do not need a service.
- 01Fees: government fee and professional fee quoted separately, in writing
- 02Experience: how often they file this exact registration or claim
- 03Scope: what is included, and what counts as extra
- 04Control: you keep your DSC and passwords; OTPs only for filings you approved
- 05Communication: one named contact and a response time
- 06Honesty: they say when you can do it yourself or do not need it
- 07Identity: clear that they are a private consultancy, not a government body
What are the red flags?
Guaranteed approvals, refusal to separate government fees, pressure to buy services you do not need, and websites that look like government portals are the main red flags.
When do you not need a consultant?
A single IEC application with clean documents is manageable on your own. Consultants add the most value for incentive claims, Advance Authorisation and fixing stuck registrations.
How does Import Export Advisor work?
Import Export Advisor is a private consultancy established in 1998 with a flat ₹999 professional fee for most services, government fees stated separately, and support by phone and WhatsApp. We are not a government body.
Details on our about page and pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to share documents with a consultant?
Share only what the filing needs, keep copies, and avoid handing over permanent passwords. A good consultant sends a checklist first.
Should a consultant hold my DSC token?
Ideally the token stays with you. If a consultant must use it, agree when and for which filings.
Related reading
Sources and official portals
Import Export Advisor is a private consultancy, not a government body. Scheme rules and fees change; this page reflects information checked on the date above. Confirm current requirements on the official portal before filing.