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Top import export business ideas for sellers in India
Starting an import or export business undoubtedly increases your global reach and profits. Learn more about top import-export business ideas, products and steps involved in this blog.
The global marketplace is now more interconnected than ever, offering unparalleled opportunities for businesses to tap into international markets. Today, a customer in Chicago can purchase a ‘Made in India’ home décor or fashion item through e-commerce platforms.
As India emerges as a significant player in global exports, businesses have an incredible opportunity to tap into the growing international demand for Indian products and build successful global brands. In this blog post, we explore top import and export ideas for 2025, offering insights on how to get started, essential documentation, and tips for success in this dynamic sector.
As India emerges as a significant player in global exports, businesses have an incredible opportunity to tap into the growing international demand for Indian products and build successful global brands. In this blog post, we explore top import and export ideas for 2025, offering insights on how to get started, essential documentation, and tips for success in this dynamic sector.
Why start an export business from India in 2025?
India’s export potential is rising rapidly, fueled by abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce, and favorable trade policies. With merchandise exports reaching $437.06 billion in FY 2023-24, the country has demonstrated its competitive strength in industries like textiles, gems, and spices. Government initiatives like the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, among many others, are further bolstering this growth.
Additionally, with rising internet penetration in India and the rapid rise of the global e-commerce market, e-commerce exports is emerging as an incredible opportunity for Indian businesses. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 estimates that the e-commerce exports sector could reach $200-300 billion by 2030. This presents a significant opportunity to Indian D2C brands and MSMEs to access international markets with a ready customer base, without needing to establish a local presence abroad.
Additionally, with rising internet penetration in India and the rapid rise of the global e-commerce market, e-commerce exports is emerging as an incredible opportunity for Indian businesses. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 estimates that the e-commerce exports sector could reach $200-300 billion by 2030. This presents a significant opportunity to Indian D2C brands and MSMEs to access international markets with a ready customer base, without needing to establish a local presence abroad.
Export via e-commerce with Amazon Global Selling
Amazon Global Selling is an e-commerce exports program that helps Indian MSMEs and entrepreneurs take their products to the world. The program helps businesses of all sizes reach customers worldwide and build global brands. Exporters on the program can leverage Amazon’s suite of tools and services to simplify complex aspects of exports, such as compliance, shipping, and payments. Today, over 150,000 Indian exporters are part of the program, selling millions of ‘Made in India’ products across 18+ Amazon global marketplaces.
List of top export business ideas
India’s rich heritage and diverse resources position it as a leading exporter in several sectors. The following are some sectors that were key drivers of merchandise export growth in FY23-24.
Electronic goods
India's growing technological expertise and cost-effective manufacturing have made it a key player in the global electronics market. Electronic goods exports surged by 23.64%, rising to USD 29.12 billion in FY 2023-24. 3
Some key insights about this sector:
• Major export destinations include the US, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Popular export items include mobile phones, computer hardware, and medical electronics.4
Some key insights about this sector:
• Major export destinations include the US, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Popular export items include mobile phones, computer hardware, and medical electronics.4
Textiles
India is the world’s 3rd largest exporter of textiles and apparel, known for its quality and variety. From traditional silk to modern fabrics and home textiles, the industry has a strong global demand. The Government of India has also launched several schemes and Export Promotion Councils like WWEPC, AEPC, TEXPROCIL, etc. to support textile exports from India.
Some key insights about this sector:
● High demand in Europe, the US, and the Middle East, among others.
● Abundant local availability of raw materials across the country.
Some key insights about this sector:
● High demand in Europe, the US, and the Middle East, among others.
● Abundant local availability of raw materials across the country.
Fruits and vegetables
India's thriving agriculture sector, known for its wide variety and high-quality produce, makes it a global leader in both fresh and processed fruit and vegetable exports. The Government of India, through organizations like APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), supports the export of fruits and vegetables and offers various schemes and initiatives to exporters. 6
Some key insights about this sector:
• High demand in Bangladesh, UAE, Netherlands, and other international markets.
• Abundant domestic production of a large variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Some key insights about this sector:
• High demand in Bangladesh, UAE, Netherlands, and other international markets.
• Abundant domestic production of a large variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Ceramic products & glassware
By 2023, India had become the world's second-largest exporter of tiles, along with a strong demand for a wide range of ceramic products.
Some key insights about this sector:
• High demand in the US, the UAE, and Iraq.
• Strong domestic production capacity and raw material availability.
Some key insights about this sector:
• High demand in the US, the UAE, and Iraq.
• Strong domestic production capacity and raw material availability.
Spices
Indian spices have been a global favorite for centuries. They are in demand for their unique flavors and health benefits.
Some key insights about this sector:
● Includes high-value export products like turmeric, cumin, and cardamom.
● Wide market in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Some key insights about this sector:
● Includes high-value export products like turmeric, cumin, and cardamom.
● Wide market in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Tea
India is one of the largest producers of tea, with varieties like Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri.
Some key insights about this sector:
● Strong demand for premium organic and specialty teas in developed nations.
● Government support through the Tea Board of India.
Some key insights about this sector:
● Strong demand for premium organic and specialty teas in developed nations.
● Government support through the Tea Board of India.
How to start an export business in India?
Step 1: Market research
Conduct thorough research to determine which market you want to export to. Choose markets where your products are in high demand.
Step 2: Business plan
Prepare a business plan that sets out all the costs involved, identifies the target market and audience, and discusses marketing methods.
Step 3: Export registration
Register the business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or LTD. Procure mandatory export licenses, such as the Importer Exporter Code from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Step 4: Pricing
Cost advantages and better infrastructure in EPZs supply industries with goods at competitive prices globally.
Step 5: Procure buyers
Source international buyers through trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and e-commerce platforms.
Step 6: Export documentation
Follow customs regulations and export quality standards. Obtain documents required to ship your goods from India and gain customs clearance in the destination country.
Step 5: Logistics and shipping
Partner with a trustworthy logistics company to ship your goods internationally. Amazon sellers can leverage Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to outsource order fulfillment to Amazon. With FBA, you can send your products to Amazon’s global fulfillment centers and let Amazon handle delivery, customer service, and returns.
Step 8: Payments
Determine payment terms with your buyer. Receive payments upon successful delivery of your product and complete the necessary payment reconciliation formalities.
Documents required to start an import-export business in India
The following are some common documents required to start an import-export business from India:
● Permanent Account Number (PAN): Every exporter or importer must mandatorily obtain this from the Income Tax department.
● Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC): RCMC, issued by export promotion councils or commodity boards, is a certificate required for availing benefits under export promotion schemes.
● Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): IEC is a mandatory 10-digit business identification number issued by the DGFT.
● Bill of lading: Bill of lading is issued by the shipping company as proof of shipment when the cargo is transported overseas.
● Customs clearance documents: This encapsulates shipping bills, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of exchange, etc.
● Inspection certificate and any other document as required for specific goods or categories.7
● Permanent Account Number (PAN): Every exporter or importer must mandatorily obtain this from the Income Tax department.
● Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC): RCMC, issued by export promotion councils or commodity boards, is a certificate required for availing benefits under export promotion schemes.
● Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): IEC is a mandatory 10-digit business identification number issued by the DGFT.
● Bill of lading: Bill of lading is issued by the shipping company as proof of shipment when the cargo is transported overseas.
● Customs clearance documents: This encapsulates shipping bills, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of exchange, etc.
● Inspection certificate and any other document as required for specific goods or categories.7
Amazon Global Selling: Easy e-commerce exports and hassle-free shipping
If you are a business owner and you want to sell your products to the world, Amazon Global Selling enables you to list and sell ‘Made in India’ products on 18 Amazon global marketplaces. As an e-commerce export program, Amazon Global Selling provides support and guidance at every step of your export journey, connecting you to Amazon’s Service Provider Network for tailored compliance, payments, and logistics support.
Registered sellers can choose to ship their products by themselves through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or they can opt for fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfilment to Amazon including packing, storage, delivery, and returns. Amazon Global Selling simplifies the process of international shipping to the world, helping businesses navigate customs and reach a vast audience.
Registered sellers can choose to ship their products by themselves through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or they can opt for fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfilment to Amazon including packing, storage, delivery, and returns. Amazon Global Selling simplifies the process of international shipping to the world, helping businesses navigate customs and reach a vast audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is an export business profitable in India?
Yes, starting an export business in India can be profitable due to the high demand for Indian products globally and supportive government policies. You can also explore e-commerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling, which helps Indian exporters reach millions of customers in 18+ Amazon international marketplaces without having to establish a local presence abroad.
2. How can I start my own export business?
You can start your export business in just a few easy steps. Register your business, obtain PAN and IEC, open a current bank account, and set up your product manufacturing or sourcing mechanism. You can register with e-commerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling to showcase and sell your products to hundreds of millions of buyers across the world.
3. Which product is in demand for export?
Various products like textiles, tea, coffee, spices, jewellery, toys, leather, Ayurveda, and beauty are in demand for exports from India.
4. What are the documents required to start an import or export business from India?
To start an export business in India, PAN, IEC, AD code, are some mandatory documents. Besides these, document requirements will vary depending on the product category, the destination country, and the mode of international shipping.
5. Which products are exported the most from India?
Top products contributing to India’s exports include engineering goods, gems and jewellery, apparel, spices, etc.
Published on July 28, 2022.
Sources:
1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2017942®=3&lang=1
2. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1912572
3. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2017942®=3&lang=1
4. https://www.seair.co.in/blog/electronics-import-and-export-from-india.aspx.
5. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
6. https://apeda.gov.in/FreshFruitsAndVegetables
7. https://www.indiantradeportal.in/vs.jsp?lang=0&id=0,25,44
Sources:
1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2017942®=3&lang=1
2. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1912572
3. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2017942®=3&lang=1
4. https://www.seair.co.in/blog/electronics-import-and-export-from-india.aspx.
5. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
6. https://apeda.gov.in/FreshFruitsAndVegetables
7. https://www.indiantradeportal.in/vs.jsp?lang=0&id=0,25,44
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*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.
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