What documents do you need to export?

Select your source country, product, destination, shipping mode and payment term to get your exact export document checklist.

India today — more source countries soon.

The complete export documents checklist

Every document an Indian exporter may need, grouped by stage of the shipment. The checker above filters this master list down to exactly what your product, destination, shipping mode and payment term require.

Pre-Shipment Documents

  • Proforma InvoiceExporter (self-prepared)
  • Purchase Order / Sales ContractBuyer (received by exporter)
  • IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) CertificateDGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
  • RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate)Relevant Export Promotion Council (FIEO, AEPC, APEDA, etc.)
  • Export License (SCOMET / Restricted Items)DGFT
  • Quality Inspection CertificateEIC (Export Inspection Council) or approved agencies
  • Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) CertificateApproved inspection agencies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, etc.)

Shipping & Transport Documents

  • Commercial InvoiceExporter (self-prepared)
  • Packing ListExporter (self-prepared)
  • Bill of Lading (B/L)Shipping line / freight forwarder
  • Airway Bill (AWB)Airline / air freight forwarder
  • Courier Receipt / Tracking DocumentCourier company (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
  • Shipping Bill / Bill of ExportIndian Customs (via CHA / customs broker)
  • Mate's ReceiptVessel's chief officer
  • Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential)Chamber of Commerce / FIEO / EPC
  • Certificate of Origin (Preferential / FTA)DGFT / EIC / designated authorities
  • EUR.1 Movement CertificateCustoms / designated authority
  • Cart Ticket / Gate PassPort authority / CFS operator

Customs & Regulatory Documents

  • Customs Declaration (SDF - Statutory Declaration Form)Exporter (filed via customs broker)
  • Let Export Order (LEO)Indian Customs
  • ARE-1 Form (Application for Removal of Excisable Goods)Central Excise / GST department
  • GST Tax Invoice / Letter of Undertaking (LUT)Exporter (self-prepared) / GST portal for LUT
  • AD Code Registration at Customs PortCustoms (one-time registration per port)

Banking & Payment Documents

  • Letter of Credit (LC / Documentary Credit)Buyer's bank (advising bank in India)
  • Bank Realization Certificate (BRC / eBRC)Authorized Dealer (AD) bank
  • Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC)AD bank
  • EDPMS Entry / RegistrationRBI (auto-generated from shipping bill)
  • Bill of Exchange / DraftExporter (self-prepared)

Insurance Documents

  • Marine Insurance Policy / CertificateInsurance companies (New India Assurance, ECGC, etc.)
  • ECGC Credit Insurance PolicyECGC (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation)

Destination-Specific Documents

  • FDA Prior NoticeUS FDA (submitted by importer/agent)
  • CPSC General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)Exporter (self-issued based on third-party test reports)
  • ISF 10+2 Filing (Importer Security Filing)US CBP (filed by US importer/broker)
  • FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) CertificateUS Importer (exporter provides supporting documents)
  • CE Marking Declaration of ConformityExporter (self-declaration based on conformity assessment)
  • REACH Compliance DeclarationExporter (declaration) / ECHA for registration
  • Phytosanitary CertificatePlant Quarantine Authority (Directorate of Plant Protection, India)
  • UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) DeclarationExporter (self-declaration based on UK conformity assessment)
  • C88 / SAD (Single Administrative Document) Customs EntryUK HMRC (filed by UK importer/broker)
  • Halal CertificateFSSAI-recognized halal certification bodies (Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, etc.)
  • Certificate of Origin (Attested by Indian Chamber of Commerce)Indian Chamber of Commerce + UAE Embassy (if attestation required)
  • JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) Compliance CertificateJapanese Standards Association (JSA) / accredited bodies
  • JFSL (Japan Food Safety Law) ComplianceJapanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (importer side)
  • AQIS Import Permit (Biosecurity Import Conditions)Australian Department of Agriculture (importer applies)
  • TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) CertificateTGA (Australian importer registers)
  • PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) CertificateApproved inspection bodies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek)
  • SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme)SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) via appointed agents
  • Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for African MarketsAppointed inspection agencies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, etc.)
  • PSB Safety Mark (Singapore)Enterprise Singapore / appointed conformity assessment bodies
  • SFA Import Permit (Singapore Food Agency)SFA (Singapore Food Agency) - importer applies

When to start each document

Working back from your ship date, here is when preparation for each group of documents needs to begin.

PhaseFocusDocuments
30 Days Before ShipmentLicensing, registration, certifications, and buyer negotiationsProforma Invoice, Purchase Order / Sales Contract, IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) Certificate, RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate), Export License (SCOMET / Restricted Items), GST Tax Invoice / Letter of Undertaking (LUT), AD Code Registration at Customs Port, Letter of Credit (LC / Documentary Credit), ECGC Credit Insurance Policy, CPSC General Certificate of Conformity (GCC), FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) Certificate, CE Marking Declaration of Conformity, REACH Compliance Declaration, UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) Declaration, Halal Certificate, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) Compliance Certificate, TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) Certificate, SONCAP (Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme), PSB Safety Mark (Singapore)
15 Days Before ShipmentInspections, testing, and destination-specific certificatesQuality Inspection Certificate, Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) Certificate, FDA Prior Notice, JFSL (Japan Food Safety Law) Compliance, AQIS Import Permit (Biosecurity Import Conditions), PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) Certificate, Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for African Markets
7 Days Before ShipmentCommercial documents, customs filing, and insuranceCommercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipping Bill / Bill of Export, Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential), Certificate of Origin (Preferential / FTA), EUR.1 Movement Certificate, Customs Declaration (SDF - Statutory Declaration Form), ARE-1 Form (Application for Removal of Excisable Goods), Marine Insurance Policy / Certificate, ISF 10+2 Filing (Importer Security Filing), Phytosanitary Certificate, C88 / SAD (Single Administrative Document) Customs Entry, Certificate of Origin (Attested by Indian Chamber of Commerce), SFA Import Permit (Singapore Food Agency)
Day of ShipmentTransport documents, customs clearance, and loadingBill of Lading (B/L), Airway Bill (AWB), Courier Receipt / Tracking Document, Mate's Receipt, Cart Ticket / Gate Pass, Let Export Order (LEO), Bill of Exchange / Draft
Post-ShipmentPayment realization, EDPMS closure, and incentive claimsBank Realization Certificate (BRC / eBRC), Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC), EDPMS Entry / Registration

Mistakes that cost exporters money

Six avoidable errors that stall shipments, block working capital or invite penalties.

MistakeConsequenceFix
Not filing LUT before the first export of the financial yearMust pay IGST on exports and claim refund later, blocking working capital for 3-6 months.File LUT in Form GST RFD-11 on the GST portal at the start of each financial year.
Discrepancy between LC terms and shipping documentsBank rejects documents. Buyer may refuse payment. Exporter faces discrepancy charges of $50-150 per discrepancy.Compare every document against LC terms line by line before submitting to the bank.
Incorrect HS code on shipping billWrong duty drawback rate, EDPMS mismatch, potential customs hold at destination.Verify HS code with your CHA and match it with the buyer's import HS classification.
Missing AD code registration at the portShipping bill filing fails. Shipment delayed.Register AD code at every port you plan to export from. One-time process per port.
Not getting phytosanitary certificate for agricultural exportsGoods detained and destroyed at destination. Exporter blacklisted.Apply to Plant Quarantine Station 5-7 days before shipment. Keep samples ready.
Ignoring EDPMS closure timelinesRBI writes back the entry, bank flags the account, future export finance becomes difficult.Track EDPMS entries and ensure payment realization within 9 months.

Frequently asked questions

How many documents are required to export from India?

Every commercial export needs a core set regardless of product or destination: IEC (Importer-Exporter Code), GST invoice or LUT, AD code registration at the port, commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill filed on ICEGATE and a certificate of origin. On top of these sit the transport document (Bill of Lading for sea, Airway Bill for air), banking documents tied to your payment term, and any product- or destination-specific certificates. Use the checker above for the exact list for your shipment.

What is the difference between a Bill of Lading and an Airway Bill?

A Bill of Lading covers sea freight and is a document of title — whoever holds an original controls the goods. An Airway Bill covers air freight and is only a receipt and contract of carriage, not a document of title. This matters for payment risk: under open account terms, a consignee can take delivery against a sea B/L only when originals are released, while air cargo can often be collected without them.

Do I need a licence to export from India?

Most goods are freely exportable with just an IEC. You need a DGFT export licence only if your item appears on the SCOMET list or is restricted under ITC(HS). SCOMET items — certain chemicals, electronics and pharma categories — also typically require an end-user certificate from the buyer, and licensing takes 15–30 working days.

What is EDPMS and why should exporters track it?

Every shipping bill creates an EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) entry at RBI. The entry must be closed by matching it with your payment realization within 9 months (15 for SEZ units). Unclosed entries trigger RBI write-backs, bank flags on your account, and difficulty getting export finance later. Generate your eBRC and chase closure with your AD bank.

Which certificate gives lower import duty at the destination?

A preferential Certificate of Origin issued under a Free Trade Agreement. India's FTAs — such as the India-UAE CEPA and India-Australia ECTA — let compliant goods claim reduced or zero import duty using forms specific to each agreement. The non-preferential CoO every customs authority asks for does not give any duty benefit; check FTA eligibility before shipping to partner markets like the UAE, Australia, Singapore and Japan.

Who files the US ISF 10+2 for my shipment?

The US importer or their customs broker files the Importer Security Filing, but the data comes from you: manufacturer name and address, seller, container stuffing location and HS codes must reach them at least 24 hours before your container is loaded at the Indian port. Late or wrong data draws US CBP penalties of up to $5,000 per occurrence.