To start exporting from India you need a business PAN and bank account, GST registration with a Letter of Undertaking (LUT), an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT, a Class 3 digital signature, ICEGATE registration and an AD Code registered at your port. An RCMC from your Export Promotion Council unlocks most incentives. With documents ready, the core registrations take about 1 to 2 weeks.
Key takeaways
- IEC is the one registration no exporter of goods can skip.
- Register your AD Code on ICEGATE before your first shipping bill, not after.
- Declare RoDTEP or drawback on the shipping bill at the time of export, or the claim is usually lost.
- Check your product's export policy and any product-specific registration (APEDA, Spices Board, FSSAI) early.
- Core registrations cost about ₹5,700 with our fees, plus council and product-specific fees.
In what order should you register to start exporting?
Register in this order: business PAN and current account, GST and LUT, IEC, Class 3 DSC, ICEGATE, AD Code, then RCMC and any product-specific registration. Each step needs the one before it.
| Step | Registration | Issued by | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business PAN and current account | Income Tax Dept. and your bank | Varies |
| 2 | GST registration and LUT | GST portal | Varies; LUT is filed online |
| 3 | IEC | DGFT | 1 to 3 working days |
| 4 | Class 3 DSC | Licensed Certifying Authority | 1 to 2 working days |
| 5 | ICEGATE | CBIC | 2 to 5 working days |
| 6 | AD Code | Your bank, registered with Customs | 2 to 4 working days |
| 7 | RCMC | Export Promotion Council or FIEO | 3 to 7 working days |
How do you check whether your product can be exported?
Find your product's 8-digit ITC (HS) code and check its export policy on DGFT. Most goods are free to export, but some are restricted (need a licence), prohibited, or need registration with a specific board.
- Food and agri products often need APEDA registration and, for some markets, phytosanitary or health certificates.
- Spices exporters register with the Spices Board.
- Apparel and made-ups claim RoSCTL instead of RoDTEP.
- Chemicals and pharmaceuticals may need additional licences depending on the substance and market.
Industry specifics: food and agri exporters, textile and apparel exporters.
Do exporters need GST registration?
Most exporters need GST registration. Exports are zero-rated: you either export without paying IGST under a Letter of Undertaking (LUT), or pay IGST and claim a refund.
The LUT is filed online on the GST portal for each financial year. IEC and GST are separate registrations; see IEC vs GST registration.
What happens on your first shipment?
Your customs broker files a shipping bill on ICEGATE using your IEC and AD Code, Customs gives a let export order, the goods ship, and your bank tracks the payment until it is realised.
- 01Agree price, Incoterm and payment terms with the buyer
- 02Prepare invoice, packing list and any product certificates (checklist)
- 03Customs broker files the shipping bill with RoDTEP or drawback declared
- 04Let export order issued and goods loaded
- 05Buyer pays; bank realises the export proceeds
- 06Generate RoDTEP or RoSCTL scrips and track drawback (incentives guide)
How much does it cost to start exporting?
The core government fee is ₹500 for the IEC; ICEGATE and AD Code registration have no customs fee. With Import Export Advisor's fees for IEC, DSC, ICEGATE and AD Code, the core set costs about ₹5,696 in total, plus your council's RCMC fee.
Full breakdown in export registration costs.
Services that help
Frequently asked questions
Can I start exporting without a company?
Yes. A sole proprietor can get an IEC against their own PAN and export.
Do I need a warehouse or factory to export?
No. Merchant exporters buy goods from manufacturers and export them. Some schemes, like Advance Authorisation, are mainly for manufacturers.
How long does it take to become export-ready?
With documents ready, the core registrations usually take 1 to 2 weeks.
Do I need an RCMC for my first shipment?
Not to ship, but you need it to claim most Foreign Trade Policy benefits, so most exporters get it early.
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.