Export Documents Checklist for India (2026): Product-Wise
Every document an Indian exporter needs — one-time registrations, per-shipment paperwork, post-shipment closure — plus the extra product-wise certificates for food, pharma, agri and chemicals.
Part of: The Complete GST Guide for Small Business in India (2026)
Exporting from India runs on documentation. Some documents are one-time registrations, some are raised for every shipment, and some close the cycle after the goods leave. On top of the common set, specific products need their own certificates. This is the full checklist — general first, then product-wise.
Quick answer: you need one-time registrations (IEC, GSTIN, LUT, RCMC), per-shipment documents (commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading/airway bill, certificate of origin), and post-shipment closure (eBRC, then RoDTEP/drawback).
1. One-time registrations
- IEC (Import Export Code) — from DGFT; mandatory before you can export.
- GST registration (GSTIN) and a LUT for the financial year (to export without paying IGST).
- AD Code registration — your bank's Authorised Dealer code, registered at the port.
- RCMC — Registration-cum-Membership Certificate from an Export Promotion Council (needed for export incentives and the merchant-exporter concessional rate).
2. Per-shipment documents
- Commercial Invoice (often combined as Invoice-cum-Packing List) — the basis for customs valuation.
- Packing List — item-wise contents, weights and dimensions.
- Shipping Bill — filed on ICEGATE; the key customs document, and the refund application for the IGST-paid route.
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Airway Bill (air) — the carrier's transport document.
- Certificate of Origin — a preferential one where a Free Trade Agreement lets the buyer claim lower import duty.
- Marine insurance certificate, and an e-way bill for the domestic leg to the port.
3. Post-shipment (closing the cycle)
- eBRC — since the process went fully electronic, you self-certify the eBRC on the DGFT portal once payment is realised. This is mandatory to close the export and stay eligible for incentives.
- RoDTEP / Duty Drawback — export incentive claims; if the eBRC value doesn't match the shipping bill, these get stuck.
4. Product-wise extra certificates
| Product type | Extra document(s) |
|---|---|
| Food & processed food | FSSAI export registration; Health / Phytosanitary certificate |
| Agri produce & plants | Phytosanitary certificate (from the Plant Quarantine authority) |
| Pharmaceuticals | Drug licence; Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) / free-sale certificate |
| Chemicals & hazardous goods | MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet); dangerous-goods declaration |
| Textiles & apparel | Certificate of origin; buyer-specific compliance / test reports |
| Meat & animal products | Veterinary health certificate; APEDA registration |
| Gems & jewellery | Kimberley Process certificate (rough diamonds); assay/hallmark where applicable |
General information only, not tax/trade advice. Documentary and product-specific requirements vary by product, destination country and buyer, and change over time — verify with DGFT, customs and the relevant authority before shipping. Last reviewed: September 2026.
