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The ExportCRM blog

Practical, in-depth guides for Indian export houses — from choosing export software to tracking RODTEP claims and knowing your true per-order profit.

Featured13 min read

India's Export Hubs Index 2026: 48 Clusters and How Each One Works

India does not export as one country — it exports as several dozen clusters, each with its own product, its own rhythm and its own paperwork. This index maps 48 of them and explains why the operational burden differs so sharply between one hub and the next.

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India export hubs index 2026: 48 clusters across 20+ states with principal product, ports and paperwork
Best export management software in India: enquiry → order → documents → claim flow on one platform
9 min read

Best Export Management Software in India: 2026 Buyer's Guide

What export management software is, how purpose-built export CRM/ERP compares with generic CRMs, accounting software and Excel, and a checklist to choose the right system for an Indian export house.

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Export CRM vs generic CRM comparison: generic CRM stops at leads and deals; export CRM adds export orders, production pipeline, documents and RoDTEP tracking
8 min read

Export CRM vs Generic CRM: Why Exporters Need a Purpose-Built System

Salesforce, Zoho and HubSpot weren't built for export houses. Here's the gap a generic CRM leaves — and what an export CRM fills.

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Export production pipeline timeline from order confirmed through sourcing, production, quality check and packing to dispatch
8 min read

The 12-Stage Export Production Pipeline, Explained

From order confirmation to delivery — how a structured production pipeline keeps export orders on time and visible to your whole team.

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Export documents list: proforma and commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading, certificate of origin, value and SCOMET declarations
8 min read

Export Documents List: 9 Documents Every Indian Exporter Needs

The documents required for export from India, what each one is for, who checks it and the fields that must agree across the set — plus how to generate them without re-typing.

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RoDTEP, RoSCTL and duty drawback tracked as receivables against a shipping bill in ExportCRM
9 min read

RODTEP, ROSCTL & Duty Drawback: Tracking Government Claims Without Losing Money

Government benefit schemes are real margin. Here's how to track RODTEP, ROSCTL and Duty Drawback receivables per order so none slip away.

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Multi-currency invoicing: 22 currencies, DGFT exchange rates refreshed every six hours
7 min read

Multi-Currency Invoicing & DGFT Exchange Rates for Exporters

Invoice buyers in their currency, value shipments with official DGFT rates, and keep every figure accurate — automatically.

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Per-order profit ledger: invoice value less goods, freight and overheads plus incentives equals realised margin
8 min read

Per-Order Profit Analytics: Know Your Margin on Every Export Order

Revenue hides losses. Per-order profitability shows which orders, customers and reps actually make you money.

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Spreadsheets vs export ERP: order sheets, Word documents and claim notebooks replaced by one order record
8 min read

From Spreadsheets to Export ERP: Digitising Your Back Office

A practical migration path from spreadsheets and WhatsApp to one export platform — without disrupting live orders.

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Indian exporter generating a RoDTEP duty credit scrip on the ICEGATE portal — ExportCRM
9 min read

How to Claim RoDTEP in India: A Step-by-Step Guide for Exporters (2026)

RoDTEP refunds the embedded taxes and duties your export already paid. This guide shows Indian exporters exactly how to claim it — from shipping bill declaration to scrip utilisation — without leaving money on the table.

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Indian exporter reconciling a duty drawback cash refund against shipping bills — ExportCRM
9 min read

How to Claim Duty Drawback in India: The Exporter's Complete Guide (2026)

Duty Drawback refunds the customs duties embedded in your exported goods. Here's how Indian exporters claim it correctly — All Industry Rate vs Brand Rate, shipping bill declaration, and the bank-account and documentation steps that get you paid.

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Imported capital machinery installed in an Indian export factory under the EPCG scheme — ExportCRM
9 min read

EPCG Scheme Explained: How Indian Exporters Import Capital Goods Duty-Free (2026)

The EPCG scheme lets you import machinery and capital goods at zero customs duty — in exchange for an export obligation. This guide explains how the EPCG licence works, the export obligation maths, and how to stay compliant.

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Duty-free imported raw materials entering an Indian export manufacturing line under Advance Authorisation — ExportCRM
9 min read

Advance Authorisation Scheme: Duty-Free Inputs for Indian Exporters Explained (2026)

The Advance Authorisation scheme lets you import the inputs for your export product without paying duty, against an export obligation. This guide covers how it works, input-output norms, the export obligation, and how it differs from drawback and EPCG.

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IGST refund on exports: LUT route vs pay-and-refund route compared side by side
9 min read

IGST Refund on Exports: How Indian Exporters Claim It (2026)

Exports are zero-rated under GST, so the IGST you pay on an export shipment comes back to you. This guide explains the two refund routes, the documents involved, why refunds get stuck, and how to keep the money flowing.

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How an eBRC is generated: buyer pays, bank pushes the IRM to DGFT, exporter matches it to the shipping bill, eBRC issued
8 min read

eBRC Full Form, Meaning and Status Check: The DGFT Process for Exporters (2026)

The eBRC is the proof that your export payment actually came in — and it underpins your incentive claims and DGFT standing. This guide explains what it is, how it is generated, and why exporters must track realisation shipment by shipment.

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How a letter of credit works: buyer opens LC, advising bank confirms, exporter ships and presents documents, bank pays
9 min read

Letter of Credit Explained for Indian Exporters (2026 Guide)

A letter of credit lets you ship to a new buyer with the bank's promise to pay standing behind them. This guide explains how an LC works, the documents it demands, why LCs get rejected on discrepancies, and how to present a clean set.

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Preferential vs non-preferential certificate of origin: who needs each, who issues it and what it proves
8 min read

Certificate of Origin for Exports: Types, Process and Uses (2026)

A certificate of origin proves where your goods were made — and under a trade agreement it can cut the duty your buyer pays. This guide explains preferential vs non-preferential COOs, how to obtain them, and where they fit in your export documents.

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Export CRM pricing checklist: plans, implementation, customisation, training and total cost of ownership
8 min read

Export CRM Pricing: What Indian Exporters Should Expect to Pay (2026)

What does export CRM and management software actually cost — and what should be included? This guide breaks down pricing models, the hidden costs to watch for, and how to judge value beyond the monthly fee.

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Tally keeps the ledger, GST and statutory accounts; the export ERP adds enquiries, orders, production, documents and claims
8 min read

Moving from Tally to an Export ERP: A Practical Guide (2026)

Tally is excellent accounting software — but it was never built to run an export business end to end. This guide explains where exporters outgrow Tally, how the two fit together, and how to migrate to an export ERP without disruption.

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Incoterms 2020 scale from EXW to DDP showing the seller's cost and risk increasing
9 min read

Incoterms 2020 Explained for Indian Exporters (2026 Guide)

Incoterms decide who pays for freight and insurance, and exactly where risk passes from you to the buyer. This guide explains the 11 Incoterms 2020 rules in plain language and shows how the term you quote changes your price and your exposure.

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Export payment terms from advance payment to open account, with DP, DA and letters of credit in between, ordered by risk to the exporter
9 min read

Export Payment Terms Explained: Advance, LC, DA/DP and Open Account (2026)

The payment term you agree decides how much risk you carry and how fast you get paid. This guide explains the main export payment methods, the risk-versus-competitiveness trade-off, and how to track receivables so nothing slips.

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New Indian exporter planning the steps to start an export business — ExportCRM
11 min read

How to Start an Export Business in India (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Starting an export business in India is a sequence of concrete steps — PAN, a current account, IEC, GST and LUT, RCMC, a product and an HS code, a buyer, and a first shipping bill. This guide walks the sequence in order and shows what each step actually costs you in time.

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Exporter completing IEC code registration on the DGFT portal — ExportCRM
10 min read

IEC Code Registration in India: Complete 2026 Guide for Exporters

The Importer-Exporter Code is the one registration you cannot export without. This guide covers what an IEC is, how to apply on the DGFT portal, the documents you need, the annual updation rule that deactivates codes, and how to modify, surrender or fix one.

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Exporter applying for RCMC registration with an Export Promotion Council — ExportCRM
9 min read

RCMC Registration for Indian Exporters: Complete 2026 Guide

An RCMC is what makes an exporter eligible for most Foreign Trade Policy benefits. This guide explains what an RCMC is, which Export Promotion Council issues yours, how to apply on the DGFT common portal, and what the certificate actually gets you.

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Exporter classifying a product under the ITC(HS) tariff — ExportCRM
10 min read

HS Code Classification for Indian Exporters: A Practical 2026 Guide

Your HS code decides your duty, your incentive rate, your licensing status and your paperwork. This guide explains how the eight-digit ITC(HS) code is built, how to classify a product correctly, and what happens when you get it wrong.

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Exporter reviewing a shipping bill filed on ICEGATE before loading — ExportCRM
10 min read

Shipping Bill & ICEGATE Filing: The Exporter's 2026 Guide

The shipping bill is the document that turns a consignment into an export. This guide explains the types of shipping bill, how filing works on ICEGATE, what a Let Export Order means, and why the shipping bill drives your GST refund and RoDTEP claim.

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Exporter preparing an AEO certification application with process documentation — ExportCRM
9 min read

AEO Certification in India: Tiers, Benefits, Eligibility & Process

Authorised Economic Operator status is India's trusted-trader programme, offering faster clearance, deferred duty and lower examination rates. This guide explains the AEO tiers, what the application actually demands, and which exporters genuinely benefit.

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Indian steel exporter compiling embedded-emissions data for an EU buyer under CBAM — ExportCRM
10 min read

EU CBAM and Indian Exporters: What You Actually Have to Do

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism prices the carbon embedded in imported steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen and electricity. The legal obligation sits with the EU importer — but the data they need comes from you. Here is what that means in practice.

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Indian coffee exporter mapping grower plots for EUDR due diligence — ExportCRM
10 min read

EUDR Compliance for Indian Exporters: Coffee, Rubber, Wood & Leather

The EU Deforestation Regulation requires proof that commodities were not produced on land deforested after 2020 — backed by plot-level geolocation. For Indian coffee, rubber, wood and leather exporters, that changes what a buyer needs from you.

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Indian exporter reviewing tariff preference and origin rules for a UK shipment — ExportCRM
10 min read

The India–UK Trade Agreement: What Exporters Need to Get Right

A trade agreement only pays if your goods actually qualify. This guide explains how the India–UK CETA is expected to work for exporters — which sectors gain, how rules of origin decide eligibility, and what proof of origin you must be able to produce.

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Export order-to-cash cycle: order → ship → present documents → paid, with the handoffs where days are lost
10 min read

The Export Order-to-Cash Cycle: Where Indian Exporters Lose Days

Between a confirmed purchase order and money in your bank account sit around a dozen handoffs. Most exporters can name the long ones and miss the expensive ones. This guide walks the full cycle and shows where the days actually disappear.

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DGFT compliance calendar: annual, per-consignment and per-authorisation obligations and claim windows
11 min read

The Exporter's DGFT Compliance Calendar (2026 Edition)

Export compliance is not one deadline — it is a set of recurring obligations with different clocks. This calendar lays out what recurs, roughly when, and what happens if it slips, so nothing expires while you are busy shipping.

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The five fields behind most shipping bill queries: HS code, declared value, quantity and weight, consignee details and scheme declaration
10 min read

Shipping Bill Query: Common Reasons and How to Reply on ICEGATE

A shipping bill query stops a consignment at the worst possible moment. Most queries trace back to a small set of avoidable inconsistencies between documents — here is the taxonomy, and which field causes each one.

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Export documentation desk handoffs: sales → documentation desk → CHA → bank
10 min read

How Export Houses Staff the Documentation Desk

The documentation desk is where an export house's paperwork either holds together or does not. This is about how the role is actually structured — what it owns, where it sits, and the handoffs that decide whether it works.

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Freight cost per CBM worked example: carton volume × cartons × LCL rate = ocean freight, then freight per unit
10 min read

Freight Cost Per CBM: How to Price an Export Quotation

Volume, not weight, usually decides what you pay for freight — and if you quote before you know your CBM, you are guessing at a number that can swallow the margin. Here is how to work it out properly.

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Export CRM vs export ERP: the CRM covers enquiries, quotations and buyers; the ERP adds production, documents, invoicing and incentives
10 min read

Export ERP or Export CRM: Which One Does Your Business Need?

These are not competing products so much as different centres of gravity — one organises the customer relationship, the other organises the operation. Choosing badly usually means buying the right software at the wrong time.

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CHA checklist verification: the checklist PDF compared with the commercial invoice before the shipping bill is filed on ICEGATE
9 min read

How to Verify a CHA Checklist Before the Shipping Bill Is Filed (14-Point Check)

The checklist your CHA sends for approval is the shipping bill in draft. Whatever you approve is what customs sees. Here is what to check on it, field by field, and the mistakes that cause queries and lost incentives.

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Finding export benefit rates by HS code: RoDTEP, duty drawback, RoSCTL, GST and buyer import duty for one 8-digit ITC-HS code
8 min read

How to Find the RoDTEP and Drawback Rate for Your HS Code (2026)

RoDTEP, duty drawback, RoSCTL and GST are all fixed by the HS code — but they are published in different schedules. Here is where each rate lives, how to read it, and the mistakes that make exporters quote with the wrong number.

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Trade fair lead system for exporters: capture at the stall, follow up within days, convert to orders, measure each fair
8 min read

Trade Fair Leads for Exporters: How to Capture, Follow Up and Convert Them

Exporters spend lakhs on a trade fair stall and then lose most of the leads in a bag of visiting cards. Here is a simple system for before, during and after the fair — and how to tell which fairs are worth booking again.

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Proforma invoice for export: the fields it needs, from PI number and validity to Incoterm, payment terms and bank details
8 min read

Proforma Invoice for Export: Format, Mandatory Fields and Common Mistakes

The proforma invoice is the first document your buyer sees, and the one their bank uses to open a letter of credit or release an advance. Here is what it must contain, how it differs from a commercial invoice, and the errors that come back to haunt the shipment.

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Export commercial invoice format: exporter details, goods and HS codes, Incoterm, value breakdown and GST endorsement
9 min read

Export Commercial Invoice Format in India: Mandatory Fields and GST Declarations

The commercial invoice is the document customs, your bank, your buyer and the incentive schemes all read. Here is every field it needs, the GST endorsement that must appear on it, and how to keep it consistent with the rest of the file.

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Export packing list format: marks and numbers, contents per carton, net and gross weight, dimensions and CBM
7 min read

Export Packing List Format: What to Include and How to Avoid Mismatches

The packing list tells customs, the shipping line and the buyer what is inside every package. Here is the format, the fields that matter most, and why packing lists so often disagree with invoices.

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Bill of lading types: master and house, original to-order, straight, telex release and seaway bill
9 min read

Bill of Lading Explained: Types, Telex Release and Seaway Bill for Exporters

The bill of lading is the shipping line's receipt, the contract of carriage and — when it is an original negotiable bill — the document that controls who can take the goods. Here is what each type means and which one to use.

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Export customs clearance process in India: checklist, e-Sanchit, shipping bill, assessment, LEO and loading
9 min read

Export Customs Clearance Process in India: From Shipping Bill to Let Export Order

What happens between your goods leaving the factory and the vessel sailing: shipping bill filing, assessment, examination, Let Export Order and the documents that follow. Step by step, with where delays usually come from.

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LUT for export under GST: Form RFD-11, validity, export without IGST and ITC refund
8 min read

LUT for Export under GST: How to File Form RFD-11 and Export Without Paying IGST

A Letter of Undertaking lets you export goods or services without paying IGST upfront, so your working capital is not locked in a refund. Here is who can file it, how to file RFD-11 online, the conditions you accept, and LUT versus paying IGST.

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Refund of unutilised ITC on exports under LUT: Form RFD-01, formula and time limit
8 min read

Refund of Unutilised ITC on Exports under LUT: Form RFD-01, Formula and Documents

Export under LUT and your input tax credit piles up. Here is how the refund of unutilised ITC works, the formula that limits it, the documents to attach, and the time limit to claim it.

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Export finance in India: packing credit, PCFC, LC negotiation and bill discounting
9 min read

Export Finance in India: Packing Credit, PCFC and Post-Shipment Finance Explained

Exporters pay for raw material months before the buyer pays them. Here is how pre-shipment packing credit, PCFC and post-shipment finance bridge that gap, what banks ask for, and how to keep the cost down.

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ECGC policies for exporters: commercial and political risk, buyer limits, declarations and overdue reporting
8 min read

ECGC Policies for Exporters: Which Cover to Buy and How Claims Work

ECGC insures Indian exporters against a buyer who does not pay and a country that blocks payment. Here is what the main policies cover, how buyer limits work, and the reporting rules that decide whether a claim is paid.

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Export quotation format: specs, price, Incoterm, payment terms, MOQ, lead time and validity
8 min read

How to Write an Export Quotation: Format, Price Build-Up and Terms That Protect You

A good export quotation wins the order and protects the margin. Here is the format buyers expect, how to build the price from cost to FOB or CIF, and the terms that stop a quote turning into a loss.

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Channels to find international buyers for export from India: EPCs, trade fairs, Trade Connect, import data, portals and referrals
10 min read

How to Find International Buyers for Export from India: 12 Channels That Work

Finding the first serious buyers is the hardest part of exporting. Here are twelve channels Indian exporters actually use — from export promotion councils and trade fairs to import data and LinkedIn — and how to turn enquiries into orders.

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FOB vs CIF compared: who pays freight and insurance, where risk passes, and shipping bill value
7 min read

FOB vs CIF: Which Should Indian Exporters Quote, and What Changes on the Documents

FOB and CIF decide who pays freight, who insures the goods and where risk passes — and they change the value on your shipping bill. Here is the practical difference, when each makes sense, and why FCA and CIP often fit container cargo better.

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Exporting from India to the USA: documents, importer filings, FDA, CPSC and tariff checks
10 min read

How to Export from India to the USA: Documents, US Requirements and Tariff Checks

The US is India's largest export market and one of its most demanding. Here is the document set, the US agency rules that apply to food, textiles and consumer products, who files what at US customs, and how to handle changing tariffs.

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India–UAE CEPA for exporters: HS code, rules of origin, preferential certificate of origin and claim at UAE customs
8 min read

India–UAE CEPA for Exporters: How to Claim Preferential Duty in the UAE

The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement removed or cut UAE import duty on most Indian goods — but only for shipments that meet the rules of origin and carry the right certificate. Here is how to qualify and claim it.

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Star export house status thresholds under FTP 2023 from One Star to Five Star
7 min read

Star Export House Status: Eligibility, Thresholds and Benefits under FTP 2023

Status holder recognition rewards exporters for cumulative export performance with faster, trust-based procedures. Here are the One to Five Star thresholds under FTP 2023, how the performance is counted, and the benefits that matter in practice.

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Export procedure in India in 15 steps from registrations to payment and incentives
11 min read

Export Procedure in India: 15 Steps from First Enquiry to Payment and Incentives

The complete export process in one place: registrations, the buyer and contract, production, documents, customs, shipment, getting paid, and claiming the incentives you earned — in the order it actually happens.

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How to start a garment export business in India: registrations, AEPC, audits, sampling, production and RoSCTL
10 min read

How to Start a Garment Export Business in India: Registrations, Buyers and Production

Garment exports reward speed, compliance and consistency. Here is what you need to start — registrations, AEPC membership, buyer compliance audits, sampling, production control and RoSCTL — and where new garment exporters most often lose money.

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How to start a spice export business in India: CRES, FSSAI, phytosanitary certificate, testing and traceability
9 min read

How to Start a Spice Export Business in India: Spices Board CRES, FSSAI and Quality Testing

Spices are one of India's oldest exports and one of the most tested. Here is how to register with the Spices Board, the food-safety and phytosanitary requirements, pesticide-residue risks by market, and how to keep every lot traceable.

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How to start a handicraft export business in India: EPCH, fairs, product safety, wood rules and production tracking
9 min read

How to Start a Handicraft Export Business in India: EPCH, Buyers and Compliance

Indian handicrafts sell worldwide, but buyers now ask about product safety, wood legality and packaging as much as design. Here is how to set up, register with EPCH, find buyers, and get compliance right from the first order.

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Market Access Initiative scheme: trade fairs, buyer-seller meets and market studies via export promotion councils
7 min read

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme: How Exporters Get Support for Fairs and Buyer Meets

The Market Access Initiative is the Department of Commerce's scheme to fund export promotion — trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, market studies. Here is how it works, how individual exporters benefit through councils, and how to make the most of a supported event.

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Shipping container sizes for export: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube volume and payload
7 min read

Shipping Container Sizes for Export: 20ft vs 40ft vs 40ft High Cube (CBM and Payload)

Choosing the right container decides your freight cost per unit. Here are typical inside dimensions, cubic capacity and payload for 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube containers, how much you can really load, and when weight rather than volume is the limit.

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FCL vs LCL shipping compared: pricing, CFS charges, transit time and break-even volume
7 min read

FCL vs LCL Shipping: Which Is Cheaper for Your Export, and When to Switch

Full container or shared container? LCL is cheaper for small loads but adds handling, CFS charges and time. Here is how each is priced, the usual break-even point, and the risks to weigh beyond the freight rate.

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Export business KPIs: per-order margin, incentive recovery, realisation days, on-time shipment and conversion
8 min read

12 KPIs Every Export Business Should Track (and How to Calculate Them)

Revenue tells you how busy you were. These twelve KPIs tell you whether exporting is actually making money, where cash is stuck, and which buyers, products and processes deserve more attention.

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30-day export software implementation plan: workflow, configuration, training and go-live
8 min read

Implementing Export Software: A 30-Day Rollout Plan for Export Houses

Most software rollouts fail on people and data, not features. Here is a practical 30-day plan to move an export house from spreadsheets and WhatsApp to one system — what to set up first, what to migrate, and how to get the team to actually use it.

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Export incentives in India 2026: RoDTEP, RoSCTL, duty drawback, GST refunds, AA, EPCG, status holder and MAI
10 min read

Export Incentives in India 2026: The Complete List of Schemes and Who Can Claim Them

RoDTEP, RoSCTL, duty drawback, GST refunds, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, status holder benefits and promotion support — every major Indian export incentive in one place, with what it gives, who it suits and where to read more.

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