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Learn how to start a textile export business from India easily with ecommerce and start selling your textile products across the world.
India is one of the world's largest producer and exporter of textiles, with a diverse product range spanning natural fabrics like cotton, silk, wool, and jute, handloom weaves, man-made fibres, and technical textiles. With the government targeting $100 billion in textile exports by 2030, the opportunity for Indian textile exporters has never been greater. This blog covers everything you need, from top products and markets to documentation, government schemes, and a step-by-step process to get started.1
Overview and trends of textile export from India
India's textile and apparel exports stood at $37.75 billion in FY2025, a 5.2% increase year-on-year. The India-UK FTA and India-EU FTA, both concluded in 2026, open zero or reduced duty access to two of the world's most important textile markets, significantly improving the competitiveness of Indian textiles and fabric exports on the global stage.2
What are the most exported textile products from India?
India exports a wide variety of textile products to buyers across the world. Some of the most exported categories include:
1. Cotton yarn and fabrics: India is the world's largest producer of cotton, making cotton textiles one of its most established and high-volume export categories.
2. Ready-Made Garments (RMG): Including T-shirts, button down shirts, sweatpants, briefs, and camisoles and tanks.
3. Man-Made Fibre (MMF) textiles: Including polyester, nylon, viscose, and blended fabrics.
4. Home textiles: India is a leading global supplier of home textile products, including bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, and curtains.
5. Silk fabrics: India is the world's second-largest producer of silk, with Mulberry, Eri, and Tussar varieties exported to premium markets globally.
6. Handloom and handicraft textiles: Banarasi, Ikat, Chanderi, and Khadi textiles valued in luxury and niche international markets.
7. Carpets and floor coverings: Hand-knotted and tufted carpets from clusters like Bhadohi and Mirzapur.
8. Jute and jute products: India is the world's largest producer of jute, exporting jute fabrics, bags, and floor coverings.
9. Technical textiles: A fast-growing segment including agro-textiles, medical textiles, and industrial textiles.3
Top countries to export textile and fabric from India
Here are some of the top export destinations for Indian textiles4:
Netherlands
Italy
Spain
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Discover how Sarvesh Agarwal, founder of Homemonde Lifestyle, is taking Jaipur’s premium bedding and home furnishings to international customers.
Government bodies that promote textile export from India
Several government bodies and export promotion councils support Indian textile exporters:
1. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, DGFT administers India's Foreign Trade Policy, issues Importer Exporter Codes (IEC), and manages export incentive schemes including RoDTEP.5
2. Ministry of Textiles
The nodal ministry for textile and apparel policy in India, overseeing production, exports, and the implementation of key schemes like RoSCTL, PM MITRA Parks, and the PLI scheme for textiles.6
3. Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC)
4. Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL)
Established under the Ministry of Textiles, TEXPROCIL promotes exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, and made-ups from India. It provides exporters with RCMC, market intelligence, trade fair support, and buyer facilitation across international markets.8
5. Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC)
Established under the Ministry of Textiles, CEPC promotes exports of handmade carpets, rugs, and floor coverings from India. It supports exporters with RCMC, trade fair participation, buyer-seller meets, and market development assistance in key importing countries.9
Other export promotion councils
In addition to the above export promotion councils, other EPCs also support textile exporters depending on their product mix and materials. These include the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), Silk Export Promotion Council (SEPC), Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), and Jute Products Development and Export Promotion Council (JPDEPC). Together, these councils offer a comprehensive support network spanning market intelligence, trade fair access, policy facilitation, and international trade promotion.
Government schemes that promote textiles export from India
The Government of India offers several schemes to support textile exporters. Here are some of them:
1. Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL):
RoSCTL was introduced specifically for apparel and made-ups to refund embedded state and central taxes such as electricity duties, mandi tax, and stamp duty, incurred during manufacturing that are not recovered through any other scheme. Benefits are issued as transferable electronic duty credit scrips via the ICEGATE portal, which can be used to pay customs duties.10
2. Duty Drawback:
Duty drawback refunds customs duties paid on imported raw materials such as fabrics, threads, or accessories used in manufacturing exported garments. It ensures that import taxes do not get embedded in the cost of exported goods, helping Indian garment exporters remain price-competitive in international markets.11
3. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP)
Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Products, or RoDTEP, was initiated in 2021 to offset the taxes and duties incurred on exported goods. Under this scheme, a refund is provided for all concealed central, state, and local duties, taxes, and levies associated with the goods exported which haven’t been reimbursed through any existing program. This includes not only the exporter’s direct expenses but also the accumulated indirect taxes on goods incurred in earlier stages.12
4. Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES):
The Interest Equalization Scheme (IES) is an initiative designed to make export affordable and enhance the competitiveness of Indian exporters. To do so, IES provides financial support through a subsidy on interest rates charged on export-related credit.
5. Market Access Initiative (MAI):
The Market Access Initiative scheme is an export promotion scheme proposed to sustainably promote export trade in India. It aims to regulate a product-focus approach through market surveys to drive exports. It also assists Export Promotion Councils, trade promotion organizations, research institutions, labs and universities to access new market territories and strengthen their presence in the existing markets.13
6. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles
The PLI scheme provides incentives for manufacturers of MMF apparel, MMF fabrics, and technical textile products encouraging investment, modernisation, and export growth in high-value textile segments.14
Documents required to export textiles from India
Documents required to export apparel and garments from India include:
● Quality / testing certificates (where applicable)
How to start a textile export business from India? Step-by-step guide
Exporting garments involves following a structured process. Here’s how you can export garments and apparel from India:
Step 1: Set up your business
Step 2: Complete market research and identify buyers
Study demand by market. Use export data and ecommerce platforms to identify trending products. Find buyers through trade shows and exhibitions, or through programmes like Amazon Global Selling.
Step 3: Obtain product documentation
Obtain IEC, register to obtain GST for your business, and get your Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC). from your relevant EPC. Also ensure your products are compliant and have the correct HS code.
Step 4: Manufacture and monitor quality
Begin production with clearly defined specifications aligned to buyer expectations. Implement strict quality checks at every stage to ensure durability, design accuracy, and compliance with international standards. Maintain detailed records and use third-party inspections or testing labs where required to meet marketplace and regulatory requirements.
Step 5: Manage logistics and shipping
Choose a reliable logistics partner and prepare your products for international shipping with export-ready packaging. Understand customs procedures, documentation requirements, and delivery timelines for each target market. Use fulfillment solutions like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) that streamline cross-border delivery and reduce operational complexity.
How to export textiles with Amazon Global Selling?
Here’s how you can start your garment export business from India with Amazon Global Selling:
Step 1: Register on Amazon Global Selling
Create an Amazon seller account on Seller Central to reach customers across 18+ Amazon global marketplaces. All you need to register is ID proof, address proof, and credit or debit card (international transactions enabled).
Step 2: List your products
Once registered, list your products on Amazon global marketplaces. Use the latest tools and expert support to make your listings more visible to customers.
Step 3: Ship and deliver globally
Choose to manage your own logistics through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or get expert support from Amazon to store, pack, ship, and deliver internationally with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). If you are an FBA seller and opt for Amazon SEND, partnered carriers will handle customs clearance for you.
Step 4: Receive payments and grow your business
Receive payment in INR directly in your bank account and use tools like Brand Registry and Amazon Ads to grow your business.
Conclusion
India's textile sector spans one of the most diverse export landscapes in the world, from everyday cotton fabrics to handloom heritage textiles and fast-growing technical textiles. With strong government support, landmark trade agreements, and rising global demand, the opportunity for Indian textile exporters is significant. Get your documentation in order, choose your markets strategically, and use programs like Amazon Global Selling to reach international buyers efficiently.
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 Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfillment 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 Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and outsource order fulfillment 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. What textiles does India export the most?
Ready-made garments, cotton yarn and fabrics, man-made fibre textiles, home textiles, silk fabrics, and handloom products are among India's most exported textile categories.
2. Which country is best to export textile from India?
The United States is currently the largest market for Indian textile exports. The UK, UAE, Germany, and France are also strong markets, and the India-UK FTA signed in 2025 has made the UK particularly attractive for Indian textile exporters.
3. Which countries import textiles from India?
India exports textiles to over 150 countries. Top importers include the US, UAE, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, and Spain.
4. Do I need an IEC to export textiles from India?
Yes. An IEC is mandatory for all exporters in India, including textile exporters. Without a valid IEC, no export shipment can be processed. It is issued free of charge by DGFT.
5. What are the taxes for textile export from India?
Textile exports are zero-rated under GST, meaning exporters can claim a full refund of input taxes. Exporters can also avail RoSCTL (for apparel and made-ups), Duty Drawback, and RoDTEP to recover embedded taxes and reduce overall export costs.
6. What are the textile products that can be exported from India?
India exports a wide range of textile products including cotton yarn and fabrics, ready-made garments, home textiles, carpets, silk fabrics, handloom textiles, jute products, man-made fibre textiles, woollen products, and technical textiles.
7. Where can I export clothes from India?
Indian textiles can be exported to over 150 countries. The top destinations are the US, UAE, UK, Germany, Bangladesh, and France. Ecommerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling give you direct access to customers in multiple countries simultaneously.
8. Which textile product is more profitable for export?
Profitability varies by product, market, and scale. Home textiles, handloom fabrics, and ready-made garments generally command good margins internationally, particularly when sold directly to end consumers via ecommerce export programs like Amazon Global Selling rather than through traditional export channels.
Published on October 20, 2021.
Updated on March 24, 2026.
Sources:
1. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?
3. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
4. https://www.ibef.org/exports/apparel-industry-india
5. https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=about-dgft
6. https://www.texmin.gov.in/ministry
7. https://www.aepcindia.com/about-aepc
8. https://texprocil.org/Aboutus.htm
9. https://www.cepc.co.in/about-us
10. https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=rosctl
11. https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-in/small-business-advice/business-innovation-trends/duty-drawback-scheme-for-exporters
12. https://indiantradeportal.in/
13. https://www.commerce.gov.in/
14. https://pli.texmin.gov.in/
Updated on March 24, 2026.
Sources:
1. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?
3. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles
4. https://www.ibef.org/exports/apparel-industry-india
5. https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=about-dgft
6. https://www.texmin.gov.in/ministry
7. https://www.aepcindia.com/about-aepc
8. https://texprocil.org/Aboutus.htm
9. https://www.cepc.co.in/about-us
10. https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=rosctl
11. https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-in/small-business-advice/business-innovation-trends/duty-drawback-scheme-for-exporters
12. https://indiantradeportal.in/
13. https://www.commerce.gov.in/
14. https://pli.texmin.gov.in/
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