No code, no shipment
Import, Export & Trade Compliance in India
You cannot import or export commercially in India without an importer exporter code, and many goods need certification.
GCC business setup specialists
Two gates before the first shipment
The importer exporter code is mandatory and quick to obtain, but nothing moves without it. The second gate catches more people: a wide range of products require certification against Indian standards before they can be imported, and food products require their own licensing. Both are discovered at the port by businesses that treated classification as the only preparation needed.
- Importer exporter code obtained before anything ships
- Product standards certification identified early
- Duty and tax on importation modelled for cash flow
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Companies successfully established.
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What is required
Bringing goods into India
Code, classification, certification.
| Element | Position |
|---|---|
| Importer exporter code | Mandatory for commercial import and export. |
| Classification | Determines duty; the importer is responsible. |
| Customs duty | Payable on importation. |
| Integrated tax on imports | Payable, with credit available. |
| Product standards certification | Required for a wide range of goods. |
| Food licensing | Required for food products. |
Tariff rates, standards certification requirements, food licensing and export scheme benefits are set by the authorities and change frequently. Your goods are checked against current requirements.
How it works
Setting up to trade
Certification is the long pole.
01
Classify and check certification
Classification confirmed, duty established, and whether your products require standards certification or food licensing before import.
02
Register
Importer exporter code obtained, goods and services tax registration confirmed and customs arrangements set up.
03
Ship and claim
Entries filed, duty and tax accounted for, and any applicable export scheme benefits claimed.
- Product list with full descriptions
- Classification where known
- Countries of origin
- Whether products are electronics, toys or similar
- Whether products are food or beverages
- Whether products are drugs or devices
- Expected import volumes and values
- Whether you will export
- Whether export scheme benefits are relevant
- States where goods will be stored
- Freight and clearance arrangements
- Target first shipment date
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Importer exporter code application
- Classification guidance
- Duty and import tax modelling
- Standards certification requirement identification
- Food licensing co-ordination where applicable
- Customs documentation guidance
- Export scheme benefit assessment
- Accounting set up for trading
Not included, quoted separately
- Customs duty and taxes, paid at cost
- Standards certification testing and fees
- Food licence fees
- Freight, shipping and insurance
- Customs broker charges
- Warehousing and handling
- Product testing by laboratories
- Penalties for earlier entries
Verify independently
Official Indian authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Directorate General of Foreign TradeCustoms authoritiesState pollution control boardsFood safety authorityState excise departmentsReal estate regulatory authorities
Questions
India trade compliance — FAQs
What is the importer exporter code?
A mandatory registration for commercial import and export. It is quick to obtain but nothing can ship without it.
Do my products need certification?
A wide range of goods require certification against Indian standards before import, particularly electronics, toys and similar categories. We identify which of yours are affected.
What happens if certification is missing?
The consignment is held at the port. It is the most common and most expensive surprise for new importers.
Is tax on imports recoverable?
Integrated tax paid on importation is generally creditable against your output liability, which matters for cash flow planning.
Are export incentives available?
Schemes exist for exporters, with their own eligibility and documentation. We assess whether yours qualifies rather than assuming it does.
Go deeper
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