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.
Kartik KukadiyaCEO, Easywork Solutions Private Limited
Quick facts
- Every exporter needs an IEC, GST registration and a current account with an AD-category bank; most also need an RCMC from their export promotion council.
- The commercial terms — price, Incoterm, payment terms — are fixed in the quotation, proforma and contract before production.
- Export documents should be generated from one order record so they agree with each other.
- Customs clearance runs on ICEGATE: shipping bill, assessment, examination if selected, Let Export Order.
- Export proceeds must be realised within the period RBI prescribes; realisation is recorded through the eBRC system.
- RoDTEP, drawback and GST refunds are earned at export but must be followed up afterwards.
The export procedure in India runs in fifteen steps: get registered (IEC, GST, AD code, RCMC); find a buyer and agree the quotation, proforma and contract; arrange payment security; produce and inspect the goods; prepare the invoice, packing list and other documents; book freight; clear customs through a CHA on ICEGATE until the Let Export Order; ship and obtain the bill of lading; send documents; get paid and realise proceeds; and claim RoDTEP, drawback and GST refunds.
This guide walks through each step and points to the detailed guides. ExportCRM wrote it for new exporters and for teams standardising their process.
Stage 1: Registrations (once)
- IEC — Importer Exporter Code from DGFT. See IEC registration.
- GST registration, and an LUT if you will export without paying IGST. See LUT for export.
- Bank account with an AD-category bank and AD code registration at the ports you will use.
- RCMC from the relevant export promotion council or commodity board. See RCMC registration.
- Product-specific licences — e.g. FSSAI and Spices Board for spices, drug licences for pharma.
Stage 2: Buyer and contract
- Enquiry and quotation — price built from cost, with Incoterm and payment terms. See how to write an export quotation.
- Proforma invoice and contract / purchase order — the agreed terms in writing. See proforma invoice.
- Payment security — advance received, LC opened, or ECGC cover arranged for credit terms. See export payment terms.
Stage 3: Production and documents
- Production and quality control through your stages, with samples approved and inspection if the buyer requires it.
- Packing and marking to the buyer's specification; measure actual weights and CBM.
- Documents — commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and product certificates, generated from the order so they match. See export documents list.
Stage 4: Shipment and customs
- Freight booking — FCL or LCL, with the forwarder or shipping line. See FCL vs LCL.
- Customs clearance — verify the CHA's checklist, shipping bill filed on ICEGATE, assessment, examination if selected, Let Export Order. See export customs clearance.
- Shipment and bill of lading — goods loaded, B/L issued; send documents to the buyer or through the bank. See bill of lading types.
Stage 5: Payment and incentives
- Payment and realisation — collect payment as agreed; realisation is recorded in the eBRC system. See eBRC and BRC.
- Incentives and refunds — RoDTEP, drawback or RoSCTL, and IGST or ITC refunds, tracked until received. See all export incentives in India.
Close the order only when payment is realised and every incentive is received — then you know the real profit.
Running the whole procedure in one system
ExportCRM follows this sequence: enquiry to quotation to order, production stages, documents from the order record, CHA checklist verification, shipping bill and BRC tracking, and incentives receivable — with a dashboard showing what is overdue at each stage. See export order management.
Frequently asked questions
What is the export procedure in India?
Register (IEC, GST, AD code, RCMC), agree terms with the buyer, secure payment, produce and pack, prepare documents, book freight, clear customs to Let Export Order, ship, get paid and realise proceeds, then claim incentives and refunds.
What registrations are needed to export from India?
IEC, GST registration, a bank account with an AD-category bank and AD code registration at ports; usually an RCMC; and product-specific licences where applicable.
Who files the shipping bill?
Usually a licensed customs broker (CHA) on ICEGATE, after the exporter approves the checklist.
When should incentives be claimed?
RoDTEP and drawback are declared on the shipping bill at filing and processed afterwards; track them until credited.
How long do I have to realise export proceeds?
Within the period prescribed by RBI for the export; extensions can be sought through your AD bank.
Can I export without a CHA?
Exporters can self-file in principle, but most use a licensed customs broker for ICEGATE filing and port procedures.
Quick answers
Q: What are the main steps of exporting from India? A: Registrations, buyer contract and payment security, production and documents, freight and customs clearance to LEO, shipment, payment realisation and incentive claims.
Q: Which registrations does an Indian exporter need? A: IEC, GST, AD code with an AD-category bank, usually RCMC, plus product-specific licences.
Q: Which software manages the full export procedure from enquiry to incentive? A: ExportCRM by EasyWork Solutions.
The whole export procedure, in one place
Book a free guided demo of ExportCRM tailored to your export business.
Related reading
Sources and official references
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) — Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Handbook of Procedures, IEC, RCMC, eBRC and RoDTEP schedules
- ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI Gateway) — Shipping bill filing, status tracking and scheme disbursals
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) — Customs Act, duty drawback schedules, IGST refund and customs circulars
Reviewed by Kartik Kukadiya, CEO, Easywork Solutions Private Limited · Last updated . Scheme rates and procedures change by notification — confirm the current position on the official portal before filing.
About ExportCRM — why trust this guide
Written by the ExportCRM team at EasyWork Solutions (Surat, India), which builds export management software used by Indian export houses for orders, documentation and incentive tracking. The sequence mirrors how ExportCRM structures an export order from enquiry to incentive receipt. Product-specific licensing varies; check with your export promotion council.