GLOBAL SELLING BLOG
Top import export business ideas for sellers in India
Starting an import or export business undoubtedly increases your global reach and profits. In this blog, learn more about top import-export business ideas, products and steps involved in it.
As the world becomes more interconnected each day, opportunities for exporters and more variety in terms of selection for customers and importers is increasing. We are no longer in a time when you are restricted to buying products within your region. Today, a customer shopping in Chicago, USA, can place an order for a Made in India home décor product via e-commerce platforms.
Thus, starting an import-export business undoubtedly increases your reach and profits. However, it is important to analyze market conditions, compliance, logistics and choose the right product to be exported from India. It is important to know what kind of product should be exported, how much investment that would require, along with other elements like workforce, paperwork, permissions, partnerships, etc.
Thus, starting an import-export business undoubtedly increases your reach and profits. However, it is important to analyze market conditions, compliance, logistics and choose the right product to be exported from India. It is important to know what kind of product should be exported, how much investment that would require, along with other elements like workforce, paperwork, permissions, partnerships, etc.
Why start an export business in 2022?
Did you know that merchandise exports from India touched an all-time high of $417.8 billion in 2021-221? With the growing exports, there has been a significant improvement in the ease of doing export business in India including paperless transactions and online documents. Apart from the regular export products, Indian exporters are also increasingly selling textiles, spices, Ayurveda and herbal beauty, etc.
With e-commerce exports program like Amazon Global Selling, access to set up an online store, list and sell products to millions of customers has become easy and simple, providing more opportunities for global expansion.
With e-commerce exports program like Amazon Global Selling, access to set up an online store, list and sell products to millions of customers has become easy and simple, providing more opportunities for global expansion.
List of top export business ideas
Depending on your area of interest, available resources and target market, you can select an export business idea. Here are some of the top import-export business ideas in India:
1. Textile
India is one of the leading exporters of textile and apparel products worldwide. Did you know that in July 2021, exports of textiles made of cotton yarn, fabrics and handloom products from India increased by 50.86%2? India is known for its aesthetic prints, high quality textiles and a range of products – formal, casual, athletic, ethnic, etc. Some of the top importing countries of textile from India are the European Union, UK, USA, Japan, Canada, UAE and Singapore. The Government of India has also launched several schemes and Export Promotion Councils like WWEPC, AEPC and TEXPROCIL to support textile exporters.
2. Footwear
Did you know that the Indian footwear market was valued at $9.70 billion in 20193? Like apparel, even footwear has several segments like formal, casual wear, sports, etc. The established value chain in the country can help you source products at competitive prices and sell them in the international marketplaces without investing a sizable sum in manufacturing and setting up a business.
3. Spices
India is the largest producer and exporter of spices in the world4. The country produces nearly 75 of the 109 varieties listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). From turmeric export to cumin and cardamom export, Indian sellers are increasingly selling spices in the international markets like USA, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. You need to analyze the demand for various spices in popular markets and find a product-market fit that works for your business. Post that, you can establish a spice export business in India.
4. Tea
India is the second-largest producer and one of the top exporters of tea globally5. Various geographical indications (GI tags) are granted to Indian teas like Darjeeling Tea, Kangra Tea, Assam tea, etc. India contributes close to 10% of the world’s tea exports and varieties like Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri are considered among the best in the world6. Many startups, brands and sellers across the globe have identified the popularity and demand, and have been successfully running a tea export business. Closer home, Bala Sarda started Vahdam Teas with the same passion to serve Indian chai to global customers. “By infusing innovative technology and eliminating unnecessary middlemen from our sourcing process, we want to revolutionize the way the world drinks tea,” the founder of the New Delhi-based brand says.
5. Jewellery
Gems and jewellery are strong contributors to the overall exports from India. Contributing 12% to India’s exports, the gems and jewellery sector has attractive growth opportunities for Indian exporters7. India is known for its artistic creativity in jewellery designs and cuts across the globe. Owing to its rich heritage and culture, the country has a varied range of jewellery types that are popular in the international markets like kundan, copper, silver, gold and ivory, among others. Did you know that India is ranked first in cut and polished diamonds and silver jewellery exports across the globe8? India exports gems and jewellery to popular markets like USA, UAE, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Singapore, among others. You can select a segment based on the resources available and establish a gem and jewellery export business in India.
6. Leather
With leather being one of the highest growing export industries in India, thousands of sellers from the country are exporting leather products across the world. From Tamil Nadu and Telangana to West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir, leather products are manufactured and exported in huge quantities from across the country9. Finished leather products in footwear, clothing, furniture and accessories are some of the top categories.
Identifying the increasing leather exports, Rajasthan’s Hussain Gurana started 'A Jaald Store' – a leather export business from India and made his dreams come true. With chic and compact leather products including hand bags, luggage, satchels and journals, this Indian brand is one of the torchbearers of self-sustenance and strong entrepreneurial spirit. “The growth of A Jaald Store has been phenomenal, and we continue to evolve as a leather brand. We are excited to explore several new markets in many more countries with Amazon Global Selling in the future,” Hussain shares.
7. Sports goods
India has established its presence as one of the leading sports goods exporters in the world. Products like exercise equipment, inflatable balls, equipment for sports like boxing, cricket and tennis are some of the top categories. Toys like board games, educational or soft toys are some of the products that are in demand in international markets. Did you know that India contributes INR 5,000-6,000 crores in global toy exports10?
8. Handicraft & home décor
India’s handmade and handicraft goods are favourite among customers globally. A variety of handicrafts like woodware, metalware, pottery, glassware and textiles are exported from India. With a strong base in markets like USA, UK, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and UAE, Indian exporters can make the most of this demand and establish their export business in home décor.
How to start an export business in India?
Starting an export business in India is fairly simple. You can follow the steps below to start an export business in India:
Step 1: Register your business
Step 2: Obtain Permanent Account Number (PAN)
Step 3: Open a current bank account
Step 4: Obtain Import-Export Code (IEC) number from DGFT
Step 5: Obtain Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) of the respective export promotion council
Step 6: Select the right products and target marketplace
Step 7: Find customers or importers
Step 9: Finalize pricing and obtain all necessary documents
Step 9: Ship goods and receive payments
Step 1: Register your business
Step 2: Obtain Permanent Account Number (PAN)
Step 3: Open a current bank account
Step 4: Obtain Import-Export Code (IEC) number from DGFT
Step 5: Obtain Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) of the respective export promotion council
Step 6: Select the right products and target marketplace
Step 7: Find customers or importers
Step 9: Finalize pricing and obtain all necessary documents
Step 9: Ship goods and receive payments
How does Amazon Global Selling help you start your export business?
As an e-commerce exports program, Amazon Global Selling enables Indian sellers and MSMEs to take their products from India to international marketplaces across 200+ countries and territories in a seamless and easy manner. Without having to set up a physical store or warehouse abroad, Amazon’s simple registration process and hassle-free logistics support helps you reach global customers. Here’s the export procedure for selling via e-commerce:
Register your business
First, you must register your export business with Amazon Global Selling. You don’t have to be an existing Amazon India seller. The registration can be done online on Seller Central in 15 minutes. You’ll need the following documents to register:
• PAN
• ID proof (Aadhar, driving license or passport)
• Business address proof (Bank statement)
• Credit card (international-transactions enabled)
• PAN
• ID proof (Aadhar, driving license or passport)
• Business address proof (Bank statement)
• Credit card (international-transactions enabled)
List your products
Once you have successfully registered to sell globally on Amazon, you can list your products. Remember to follow tips on how to list your products include attractive pictures and descriptions that’s clear to international customers. You can also seek help from third party service providers.
Ship & receive payments
Once a customer places an order, you can choose to deliver by yourself or you can opt for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Under FBA, Amazon takes care of shipping, delivery, returns and customer concerns. Once a customer purchases your product, Amazon credits the money in your bank account in the currency of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is export business profitable in India?
Yes, it is profitable to start an export business in India. You can choose an import export business idea and establish your brand in international markets with Amazon Global Selling.
How can I start my own export business?
You can start your own export business in just a few easy steps. Register your business, obtain PAN, IEC, open a current bank account and setup your product manufacturing or sourcing mechanism. Post this, you can register with Amazon Global Selling and export your products internationally without any heavy investment.
Which product is in demand for export?
Various products like textile, tea, coffee, spices, jewellery, toys, leather, Ayurveda and beauty are in demand for exports from India.
Who prepares a Packing List?
To start an export business in India, IEC, AD code, Importer of Record (IoR) and GST are mandatory. Along with these, documents requirements can also depend on the product category, destination country and mode of international shipping.
Which products are exported the most from India?
Top products contributing to India’s exports include engineering goods, gems and jewellery, footwear, apparel, spices and other raw materials.
Published on July 28, 2022.
Sources:
1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1812990
2. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
3. https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/leather#:~:text=India%20is%20the%20second%20largest,of%20leather.
4. https://www.ibef.org/exports/spice-industry-indias#:~:text=India%20is%20the%20world's%20largest,%25%20CAGR%20since%202014%2D15.
5. https://www.indianchamber.org/sectors/tea/
6. https://www.ibef.org/exports/indian-tea-industry
7. https://www.ibef.org/industry/gems-jewellery-india
8. https://gjepc.org/assets/images/statistics/sez/SEZ-Pulse-of-India-Gem-and-Jewellery-Exports.pdf
Sources:
1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1812990
2. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
3. https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/leather#:~:text=India%20is%20the%20second%20largest,of%20leather.
4. https://www.ibef.org/exports/spice-industry-indias#:~:text=India%20is%20the%20world's%20largest,%25%20CAGR%20since%202014%2D15.
5. https://www.indianchamber.org/sectors/tea/
6. https://www.ibef.org/exports/indian-tea-industry
7. https://www.ibef.org/industry/gems-jewellery-india
8. https://gjepc.org/assets/images/statistics/sez/SEZ-Pulse-of-India-Gem-and-Jewellery-Exports.pdf
Disclaimer: Whilst Amazon Seller Services Private Limited ("Amazon") has used reasonable endeavours in compiling the information provided, Amazon provides no assurance as to its accuracy, completeness or usefulness or that such information is error-free. In certain cases, the blog is provided by a third-party seller and is made available on an "as-is" basis. Amazon hereby disclaims any and all liability and assumes no responsibility whatsoever for consequences resulting from use of such information. Information provided may be changed or updated at any time, without any prior notice. You agree to use the information, at your own risk and expressly waive any and all claims, rights of action and/or remedies (under law or otherwise) that you may have against Amazon arising out of or in connection with the use of such information. Any copying, redistribution or republication of the information, or any portion thereof, without prior written consent of Amazon is strictly prohibited.
*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
Related blogs
Success stories
Register now and get three-month subscription at just $1*
This offer is limited to selling on Amazon USA, Canada and Mexico marketplaces.
© 2021 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved
