Exporting · 9 min read · Updated Jun 20, 2026
How to export handmade products from India: a step-by-step guide
Exporting from India sounds heavier than it is. Strip away the jargon and it's a short sequence of registrations, the right paperwork per parcel, and a shipping partner. Here's the whole path for a small maker.
1. Get your registrations in order
- PAN — you already need this; everything links to it.
- Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT — a one-time, mostly free online registration required for most commercial exports.
- GST registration + a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) if you want to export without paying IGST up front (exports are zero-rated).
- A current (bank) account that can receive foreign remittance.
2. Classify and price your product
Every product needs an HS code — the international tariff classification that tells customs what it is. You'll also want to price for export so that shipping and duties don't quietly eat your margin.
3. Prepare the parcel's paperwork
A typical small export parcel travels with a commercial invoice, a packing list, and a shipping label/airway bill. Some destinations or crafts also want a certificate of origin or, for protected crafts, a GI certificate. See documents required to export from India.
4. Pack for a long, rough journey
International parcels are handled far more than domestic ones. Pack to survive it — see packing handicrafts for international shipping. Under-packing is the single most common cause of a refund.
5. Ship and get paid
Choose a courier or an export-logistics partner, hand over the parcel with its documents, and track it to the buyer. For the money side — currencies, proof of export, and fees — read how to get paid by international buyers.
Frequently asked
- Do I need a company to export, or can I do it as an individual?
- A sole proprietorship is enough to get an IEC and export. You don't need a private limited company to start.
- What's the easiest way to start if I've never exported?
- List on an export-first marketplace that handles shipping, duties, and payments for you, so your first international orders don't require you to assemble the whole stack alone.
- How long does an IEC take?
- The online application on the DGFT portal is usually issued within a few working days once your PAN and bank details are verified.