Documents Required for Export Registration from India

To export goods from India, businesses and individuals must register with the relevant authorities and obtain necessary licenses and certifications. Below is a detailed list of essential documents required for export registration in India:

1. Basic Export Registration Documents

Import Export Code (IEC) – Issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade), mandatory for all exporters.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration – Required for tax compliance.
Business Registration Certificate – Depending on the business type:

  • Proprietorship: GST Certificate / PAN Card

  • Partnership Firm: Partnership Deed

  • Company: Certificate of Incorporation (CIN), MOA & AOA
    PAN Card of Exporter – Required for financial transactions and taxation.
    Bank Account Details – Canceled cheque or bank statement.

Export Certificates Required for Exporting Goods from India

Exporting from India requires various certificates based on the product type, destination country, and trade regulations. Below is a categorized list of key export certificates:

1. General Export Certificates (Mandatory for All Exporters)

  • Import Export Code (IEC) – Required for all exports, issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade).

  • Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) – Required for exporters seeking benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). Issued by Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) such as APEDA, FIEO, EPCH, etc.

  • Certificate of Origin (COO) – Required to prove that the goods are manufactured in India.

    • Preferential COO – Required for exports under FTAs/PTAs to get tariff benefits.

    • Non-Preferential COO – General requirement for exports to non-FTA/PTA countries.

  • GST Export Invoice – Required for tax compliance and GST refund claims.

2. Product-Specific Export Certificates

A. Agricultural & Food Products

  • Phytosanitary Certificate – Required for fruits, vegetables, grains, and plant products. Issued by the Plant Quarantine Authority of India.

  • FSSAI Food Export Certificate – Mandatory for processed and packaged food products. Issued by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).

  • Health Certificate – Required for meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood to ensure safety standards. Issued by Export Inspection Council (EIC).

  • Organic Certification (NOP/NPOP) – Required for organic food exports, issued by APEDA.

  • AGMARK Certification – Required for spices, edible oils, and agricultural commodities to ensure quality.

B. Pharmaceutical & Chemical Products

  • Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) – Required for medicines and pharmaceutical exports, issued by CDSCO.

  • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Required for chemicals, industrial solvents, and hazardous materials.

  • Dangerous Goods Certificate (DGC) – Required for hazardous chemicals, explosives, and flammable goods.

  • REACH Compliance Certificate – Needed for chemical and industrial products exported to the European Union (EU).

C. Textile & Handicraft Exports

  • Textile Committee Certification – Required for exporting textiles, fabrics, and garments.

  • Silk Mark Certification – Mandatory for silk products. Issued by the Silk Mark Organization of India.

  • Handicraft Export Certificate – Required for traditional and handmade artifacts. Issued by EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts).

D. Engineering Goods & Machinery

  • BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Certification – Required for industrial products, electronics, and engineering goods.

  • ISO Certification – Ensures quality compliance for manufactured products.

  • CE Marking – Needed for machinery and electrical products exported to the European Union (EU).

E. Automotive & Electronics Exports

  • AIS (Automotive Industry Standards) Certification – Required for exporting automobiles and auto parts.

  • WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) License – Needed for wireless communication devices like routers, Bluetooth products, and RF equipment.

  • ETA (Equipment Type Approval) – Required for radio frequency and wireless communication devices.

F. Jewelry & Precious Metals

  • Hallmark Certification – Required for gold and silver jewelry exports. Issued by BIS.

  • Kimberley Process Certificate (KPC) – Required for exporting rough diamonds.

3. Shipping & Customs Clearance Certificates

  • Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB) – Issued by the shipping line/airline for goods in transit.

  • Packing List & Commercial Invoice – Required for customs clearance and taxation.

  • Export Declaration Form (EDF) – Required for export shipments via customs.

  • Letter of Credit (LC) or Bank Guarantee – Used for secure payment transactions in international trade.

4. Environmental & Compliance Certificates

  • EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Certificate – Required for electronic waste and plastic waste exports.

  • RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Certificate – Required for electronics exported to the EU.

  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification – Required for wood-based products and paper exports.

5. Religious & Specialty Product Certificates

  • Halal Certification – Required for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products exported to Islamic countries.

  • Kosher Certification – Required for food and beverages exported to Jewish communities.

Who Needs These Export Certificates?

  • Exporters & Manufacturers sending goods abroad.

  • Customs Agents & Freight Forwarders managing shipments.

  • Trade Companies & Distributors dealing in regulated products