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How to start textile export from India?

Looking to start textile export from India? Here is a quick guide on the process and export documents required to help you set up your textile export business from India and sell internationally in a seamless and easy way.

From ethnic and Western apparel to home and kitchen linen, the textile industry in India offers a range of products that is manufactured, packed and sold on a daily basis. Known for its reasonably priced and intricately designed products, the demand is no doubt growing rapidly in the international market. Interestingly, the Indian textile industry contributes to over 12% of India’s export earnings¹. In July 2021, exports of textiles made of cotton yarn, fabrics and handloom products from India increased by 50.86%². Even in the international market, India stands 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel, thus, opening up several opportunities for local sellers to benefit from by taking their businesses global.

Overview and trends of India's textile export

India’s textile trade has been increasing over the years. The contribution of textile and apparel to India’s GDP is 5.14% including domestic and export markets. The textile industry contributes 15% to India’s export earnings⁵.

What are the top textile export products from India?

While there are numerous kinds and types of textile products exported from India, below are some of the popular categories that are in demand on international marketplaces:
• Ethnic wear
• Kids wear
• Handwoven and cotton textiles
• Woollen wear
• Home textiles
• Kitchen linen
• Carpets

With the latest PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme for textiles launched by the Government of India in September 2021, textile exporters from the country are expected to receive more support and opportunities³. The scheme provides incentives to companies in order to boost domestic manufacturing. This is done by the government in an effort to make products more competitively priced, reduce a country’s dependence on imports and generate employment. To assist sellers who export apparel, Apparel Export Promotion Council – an official body of apparel exporters was formed in 1978. This body promotes and develops textile export trade between Indian sellers and other countries.

What are the top countries for textile exports from India?

• Europe
• The UK
• The US
• Japan
• Canada
• The UAE
• Singapore⁴

Export Promotion Councils for textile export

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC):

AEPC acts as a bridge between the government, Indian apparel exporters and international customers. AEPC promotes exports for a range of garments like kurtis, denim, shirts and kids wear.

Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC):

CEPC was established in the year 1982 for the promotion and development of exports of handmade carpets, rugs and other floor coverings.

Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC):

ISEPC council works closely with the Government of India to identify markets offering good export potential for silk, organizing buyer-seller meets, encouraging participation in international trade fairs and knowledge transferring through seminars ans workshops.

Wool Industry Export Promotion Council (WOOLTEXPRO):

It is an autonomous, non-profit EPC that implements promotional programmes for improving the production of woollen industry. It works on bridging the gap between exporters and international customers by organizing buyer-seller meets and providing market research.

Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC):

Maintaining close liaison with the foreign wool markets and helping Indian exporters match global quality standards, WWEPC also collects and provides exporters with all the marketplaces’ research.

Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC):

Established in 1954, SRTEPC is one of the oldest EPCs in India. It aims to improve the global position of India’s Manmade Fibre (MMF) and blended textile items including fibre, yarn, fabrics, made-ups, accessories, home textiles, technical textiles etc.

Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL):

TEXPROCIL is the face of cotton textiles in the international markets. It aims to connect buyers with suppliers and prepares Indian textile exporters for competitive positioning in globally.

Jute Products Development and Export Promotion Council:

JDPEPC works to empower the exports of all types of jute, jute blended and jute union products made from jute fibre, yarn, twine and fabric for all types of users globally.

Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL):

Set up by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, PDEXCIL supports export of powerloom fabrics and made-ups. It ensures that the Indian power-loom textiles are equipped to meet the challenges posed by the global market.

Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC):

HEPC provides all support and guidance to the Indian Handloom exporters and international customers for trade promotion and international marketing.

Export incentives for textile

Export incentives are offered to textile exporters to enable them to compete in the global market. Some of these export incentives are:

Cumulative Duty Credit Entitlement (CDCE) scheme

This scheme was started to encourage export of clothing and textiles by offering duty-free import entitlements for inputs.

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) scheme

Under this scheme, duty-free imports of inputs, fiscal incentives and exemption from income tax are offered to exporters.

Export Promotional Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme

EPCG scheme was launched for purpose of promotion of capital goods to be used in export sector. Exporters can import capital goods without any customs duty, up to a certain limit.

Duty Drawback

Under duty drawback scheme, exporters can claim refund on central excise duties and service tax that was paid on inputs used in the manufacture of clothing and textiles exported from India.

Documents required to export textiles and apparel from India

In order to start a textile export business from India, some of the documents required are:

• PAN card

• ID proof (Aadhar card, voter ID, driving license)

• Address proof of the business

• Credit card (international-transactions enabled)

• Import Export Code (IEC)
IEC registration can be done online by applying on the website of DGFT.

• GST registration certificate
GST registration can also be done online. Log on to gst.gov.in and click on ‘New Registration’. Fill in your details, along with the required documents. The details will be verified through email confirmation and OTP. Once the application is approved, the GST certificate is issued.

• RCMC (Registration cum membership Certificate) for textile and apparel
This certificate implies that the applicant has complied with all the guidelines of the APEC (Apparel Export Promotion Council). The RCMC certificate can be applied through the APEC portal.

How to export textile from India?

With the growing demand for textiles from India and the increasing ease of exports with e-commerce, selling textile products internationally has become easy and seamless. Amazon Global Selling is an e-commerce exports program that enables textile exporters to take their products global by selling on 18+ international marketplaces in the US, Europe, the UAE and more. With its growing community of hundreds of millions of customers across the globe, Amazon Global Selling assists you in making your export dreams come true.

Our initial concerns were the amount of investment required in marketing and supply chain to create awareness and trust for our brand. This was taken care of, thanks to our association with Amazon Global Selling.
Deepak MehrotraCalifornia Design Den

Read Deepak's success story here

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. 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)

List your products

Once you have successfully registered to sell globally on Amazon, you can list your textile 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 and 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

What are the textile products that can be exported from India?

Apparel including ethnic wear, kids wear, cotton textiles, handwoven apparel, woolen and silk textile, home textile and kitchen linen are some of the top textile products exported from India.

Where can I export clothes from India?

You can export textile from India to many countries including USA, UAE, Bangladesh, UK, Canada, Singapore and Japan.

Which textile product is more profitable for export?

Readymade garments are one of the most in-demand products globally. Other textile products that can be exported are cotton dresses, handloom outfits, jute products, woollen textiles and silk sarees.

How can I export textile from India?

You can start a textile export business with Amazon Global Selling by registering in a few simple steps and submitting KYC documents. Once registered, you can list on 18 international marketplaces and ship your products safely with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) across the world.

Published on October 20, 2021.

Sources:
1. https://www.ibef.org/uploads/industry/Infrographics/large/Textiles-and-Apparel-Infographic-June-2021.pdf
2. https://www.ibef.org/industry/textiles.aspx
3. https://www.meity.gov.in/esdm/pli
4. https://www.statista.com/statistics/236403/value-of-the-leading-global-textile-importers-by-country/
5. https://www.indiantextilemagazine.in/indian-textile-sector-will-worth-221-billion-2021

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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.