Exporting · 6 min read · Updated Jun 20, 2026
Documents required to export from India (small-parcel checklist)
Export documents exist to answer two questions for customs: what is this, and what is it worth? Get those right and most parcels clear smoothly. Here's the short list for a small maker shipping by courier.
The core documents
- Commercial invoice — what's inside, quantity, value, currency, buyer and seller details, and the HS code. This is the document customs reads first.
- Packing list — the physical breakdown (boxes, weights, dimensions). Often combined with the invoice for small parcels.
- Airway bill / shipping label — issued by your courier; the tracking and routing document.
- Shipping bill — the customs export declaration; for courier exports the courier usually files this for you.
Sometimes also needed
- Certificate of origin — proves the goods were made in India; some buyers or countries' tariff preferences require it.
- GI certificate — for a Geographically Indicated craft, evidence of the registered appellation.
- Product-specific certificates — e.g. for food, leather, or items with restricted materials.
Get the invoice value right
Declare the true transaction value. Under-declaring to reduce the buyer's duty is illegal and risks seizure; over-declaring inflates the duty they pay. Honest values keep parcels — and your record — clean.
Frequently asked
- Do I file the shipping bill myself?
- For courier and postal exports the carrier typically files the customs declaration on your behalf. For larger consignments through a forwarder, your customs broker handles it.
- What HS code do I put on the invoice?
- The one that classifies your product. See our guide to HS codes for Indian exports for how to find yours.