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What's the very first paperwork I need before I ship one export order out of India?

Three things, non-negotiable: an IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) from DGFT, around Rs 500, usually issued within a few working days, active GST registration, and an AD Code registered with your bank at the port or courier you'll ship from. File an LUT on the GST portal too, so you can export without paying IGST upfront and blocking your own cash. None of this is hard, but do it before your first shipment, not after a parcel gets stuck in customs.

Go deeper

4 resources, 4 India-specific, 4 link-checked.

📄 Article
✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

The IEC is the one document you cannot export without, and this explains what it is, who needs it, and the DGFT application steps in plain language for first-time exporters.

Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): Meaning, Benefits, How to Apply

From sell.amazon.in by Amazon India

  • IEC is a 10-digit DGFT code, mandatory for exporting from India, with lifetime validity
  • Any firm type qualifies, proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company, with PAN and a bank account
  • Application is online via the DGFT portal and typically issued within a few days
Open sell.amazon.in →
📄 Article
✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

A neutral, non-marketplace explainer of the IEC from a trusted Indian tax source, good to cross-read alongside Amazon's version so you understand the compliance, not just the sales pitch.

IEC (Import Export Code), How to Apply, Documents & Benefits

From cleartax.in by ClearTax

  • Documents needed: PAN, address proof, cancelled cheque/bank certificate
  • Fee is nominal (~Rs 500) and the code never needs renewal, only annual updates
  • Annual IEC update between April-June is compulsory or the code can be deactivated
Open cleartax.in →
🛠️ Tool
✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

The actual government source of truth for IEC applications, ITC-HS classification, export policy and scheme updates, bookmark this over any third-party summary, since rules and rates change.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Official Portal

From dgft.gov.in by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

  • Official portal for IEC registration, ITC-HS lookup and export policy
  • Source of the annual IEC update requirement (April-June window)
  • Where RoDTEP, LUT and other scheme notifications get published first
Open dgft.gov.in →
🛠️ Tool
✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

The exact page where you apply for and manage your IEC and complete the mandatory annual update, the actual tool, not a description of it.

DGFT, IEC Profile Management

From dgft.gov.in by DGFT

  • Direct portal for IEC application and profile updates
  • Where you complete the compulsory annual April-June IEC update
  • Also used to modify IEC details when your business changes
Open dgft.gov.in →

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