Export > Documentation and licenses

Export documents for your global business

Every export business from India is required to meet certain compliance regulations for hassle-free exports. Here’s a guide on a few mandatory documents and how you can obtain them.

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At every stage of your export journey, you will need to obtain and submit a list of documents, and ensure your business meets required regulations for hassle-free exports. Whether it is registration, shipping or tax, different licences are required depending on the product category being exported, destination country and origin country – India. Some of the mandatory export compliance requirements for an Indian business are:

Importer Exporter Code

IEC, which stands for Importer Exporter Code, is a 10-digit business identification number allotted to an importer or exporter by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It is issued based on the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of a business.

Authorized Dealer Code

An Authorized Dealer (AD) Code is a 14-digit code, which is given by the bank where the exporter maintains a business current account. This code, printed with the bank letterhead, can be obtained after the exporter has registered for an IEC by the DGFT.

Letter of Undertaking

GST Letter of Undertaking (LUT) is a document filed to export products without paying IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax). Exporters can generate an LUT on the GST portal and avail the benefits of zero-rated turnover.

Importer of Record

An Importer of Record (IOR) is an individual or entity who ensures that all the products being exported are documented and valued as required by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). An IOR is also responsible for paying and filing duties, taxes and documents associated.

Export Compliance Dashboard: Documentation made easy

Apart from the above-mentioned documents, you will also need to obtain licences depending on your product category, shipping method and tax regulations. For instance, to export spices from India to the USA, one of the requirements you need to meet is FDA guidelines for food labelling and establishment. To make exports easy for you, Amazon supports you by providing guidance on key requirements and regulations with Exports Compliance Dashboard.

What is Exports Compliance Dashboard?

Exports Compliance Dashboard is an Amazon program that enables you to get detailed understanding of documents required for your export business, and connects you with experts who will assist you in meeting the required compliance. In three steps, you can understand what documents are required and how to obtain them to be export-ready.

Already have your documents?

Need assistance on export compliance?

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How to obtain your export documents in 3 steps

Step 1

Get required information

Explore the dashboard and understand all the documentation and regulatory requirements for exporting your products.

Step 2

Connect with experts for assistance

Connect with expert third-party service providers for all or any of the export document requriements online. The service provider will directly connect with you and guide you in obtaining export documents for your products and business.

Step 3

Receive export documents

Receive your export documents and start selling your products internationally from India without any hassles.

Already have your documents?

Need assistance on export compliance?

Get your export documents

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to export from India?

Import Export Code, Authorized Dealer (AD) code, Importer of Record (IoR) and Letter of Undertaking are some of the key documents required to export from India. Along with this, depending on your business, products you are exporting and destination country, you might need additional documents like FSSAI license for consumables, etc.

To understand export regulations and documents for your business, click here

What export products can I sell on Amazon international marketplaces?

An Indian exporter can sell a range of products on Amazon across 30+ categories. The top selling product categories from Indian sellers are:

Home textile: Bedsheets, kitchen linen, home décor, pillow covers, curtains, carpets, rugs
Apparel: Men’s garments, womenswear, kid's fashion, ethnic wear like salwar suits, kurta, lehenga, silk saree
Jewellery: Fashion and fine jewellery
Leather: Wallets, bags, footwear, accessories
Health and personal care: Bath towels, home care, toiletries, bath and body products, essential oils
Consumables: Tea, spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, coffee
Ayurveda: Organic products, Health supplements, medical items, food and dietary supplements
Beauty products: Personal grooming, makeup, cosmetics, beauty accessories
Toys and sport goods: Kids toys, learning/activity boxes, robotic and educational toys, cricket kit
Office products and furniture: Notepad, novelties, cane and wooden furniture
Electronics: Cell phone devices, electronic accessories, musical instruments, computers, tools, video and DVD, camera
Books: Educational, novels, guides

Each product category may require separate licences and documents, specific to the region of export, origin country and shipping mode. You can use Amazon’s third-party Service Provider Network for assistance in export compliance.

Which documents are commonly used in international shipping?

Some of the mandatory shipping documents required to export from India are Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper's Letter of Instruction and Export Value Declaration. Depending on the product being exported, a few additional documents may be required like FDA registration and CPC certificate.

To support you for hassle-free logistics, Amazon has also launched SEND, enabling you to ship directly to international fulfillment centers at competitive prices. All you have to do is book, pay and track shipments without any hassles from India to the world.

Explore Amazon SEND

Which product categories require extra documents and certificates to export?

A few categories that require extra documents are consumables, dietary supplements, products with chemicals, wooden articles and toys for children below 12 years of age.

What happens if I do not have all export documents?

Incomplete documents may lead to shipping delays, fines, penalties and other legal actions on you. We recommend you to prepare your documents in advance to avoid any negative consequences.

Amazon Exports Digest 2023

The Exports Digest 2023 traces the evolution of exports in India and the emergence and potential of ecommerce exports. It also has latest data on top Indian states in terms of exports, bestselling Indian products, and top and emerging marketplaces.

Read Amazon Exports Digest 2023 here