Complete List of Export Documents Required from India in 2025
Exportation of goods in India is a very thrilling prospect- but it is not all about identifying customers or the mode of transport to use.
Every successful international shipment is anchored on proper export paperwork.
One simple mistake in your paperwork may lead to:
- Shipment delays at customs
- Financial penalties
- Payment delays from buyers
- Loss of trust or contracts
The international trade would be more digital and governed in 2025; therefore, Indian exporters should make sure that their documentation is full, correct, and in line with the DGFT, Customs, and banking regulations.
The list of all the documents you should export legally out of India in a clear and easy-to-understand list is given below and some pro-tips and examples have been provided.
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1. Commercial Invoice
Any export shipment is based on the Commercial Invoice.
It is a bill of sale given by the exporter to the importer and is employed in the customary valuation and payment of buyers.
Key details include:
Name of the exporter and importer.
Invoice number and date
Description of goods
Total value, quantity and unit price.
The code of Hs (Harmonized System Code) is the name of the code.
Currency and payment terms
Delivery terms (FOB, CIF, etc.)
Pro Tip:
Ensure that the invoice information is the same as that of the Letter of Credit (LC) or Purchase Order (PO). Even trivial misfits can cause a slowdown in payment.
2. Packing List
The Packing List assists custom and logistics departments in determining the physical items of the respective package or container.
What it contains:
Item description
Number of packages/cartons.
Gross/net weight and dimensions.
Box, drum, pallet, or other type of packaging.
Numbers and marks on every carton.
Pro Tip:
Include the packing list inside and outside the container to be inspected quicker. Sea shipments should be labelled with waterproof.
3. Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air way Bill (AWB).
This is the transport document that is issued by the carrier (shipping line or airline).
Bill of Lading (Sea freight): It is a document of ownership of sea shipments.
Airway Bill (Air Freight): This is used as a receipt and delivery note of air cargo.
Functions:
Factors that show the existence of contract between the shipper and carrier.
Receipt of goods
Document of title (for B/L only)
Pro Tip:
Retain three original B/Ls, one to the shipper, to the buyer and to the bank (under LC).
4. Shipping Bill / Bill of Export
Shipping Bill is the most important document in clearing the shipments at Indian customs.
It is produced by the use of the ICEGATE Portal (https://www.icegate.gov.in).
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Required by:
- Indian Customs
- Directorate General Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Information included:
- Exporter IEC code
- Description and Hs code of goods.
- Value, port of loading and quantity.
- Mode of transport(air/sea/land)
- GST information and LUT.
Pro Tip:
Documents can be uploaded on the facility called Self-Sealing and e-Sanchit and this will save the need of physical verification.
5. Certificate of Origin (CoO)
The Certificate of Origin confirms that the products have been produced or executed in India.
It assists the buyer to receive preferential tariff treatment as tariff benefits in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Types of CoO:
Preferential CoO: In FTAs (e.g. India-ASEAN, India-Japan) on exports.
General exports (non-FTA countries): Non-Preferential CoO.
Issuing Authorities:
FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations)
Export Promotion Councils (EPCH, APEDA, etc.).
Chambers of Commerce
Pro Tip:
Register via CoU portal through the DGFT online platform in order to expedite the process and receive digitally signed certificates.
6. Payment Terms Document or Letter of credit (LC).
This document stipulates the payment method that will be given to the exporter.
Common methods:
Letter of Credit (LC): Bank will guarantee payment on meeting the conditions.
Advance Payment: Buyer makes advance payments prior to receipt of shipment.
Documents Against Payment (D/P): On presentation of payment documents.
Open Account: Delivery payment (only trusted buyers).
Pro Tip:
Never accept a deal verbally and proceed with production. Store replicas of bank correspondence and LC.
7. Export License (Where Necessary)
Majority of goods are free to export under India Open General License (OGL), although certain products are subject to certain export licenses issued by DGFT.
Restricted Goods Examples:
Defense equipment
Pharmaceuticals
Psychological jewels or uncommon chemicals.
Dual-use technologies
Pro Tip:
The DGFT Trade Classification Tool verifies whether a license is needed or not by checking the HS Code of your product.
8. Insurance Certificate
The Insurance Certificate is a document that proves that your shipment will not be marred, lost, or stolen on its way.
Why it’s important:
Guarantees the financial interests of exporter.
Usually necessary in CIF contracts (Cost, Insurance and Freight).
LC-based transactions may be required to be optional.
Pro Tip:
Select a marine insurance policy which includes the coverage of All Risks and War and Strikes to cover all.
9. GST Invoice & LUT (Letter of Undertaking).
In the case of registered exporters:
Tax filing and claims of refunds are required to be made by GST Invoice.
LUT (Letter of undertaking) enables the exporters to ship products without paying the IGST at the initial stage.
Pro Tip:
pay the LUT on the GST Portal every year to keep on the GST Act as a tax-free exporter.
10. Product-Specific Certificates
Various products need certain certificates to comply with international norms:
Product Type Certificate Necessary Cermitant Authority.
Food / Agro Products / Phytosanitary Certificate APEDA / Ministry of Agriculture.
Drugs FDA / GMO Certificate CDSCO / Pharmexcil.
Electronics BIS Certificate Bureau of Indian Standards.
Handicrafts / leather EPC / Export Promotion Council EPCH / CLE.
Chemicals MSDS, REACH Compliance Pollution Control Board.
Pro Tip:
Put these certificates on your site or advertising materials they will create a sense of trust and appeal to serious foreign buyers.
Bonus: Digital Export Documentation 2025.
Export documentation is becoming paperless and fast thanks to digital transformation.
Indian exporters are able to handle most of the compliance online through:
DGFT’s e-CoO & e-LC platforms
The digital Shipping Bills installed are ICEGATE (Indian Customs Gateway).
Online payment tracking (e-BRC) (Bank Realisation Certificate).
FIEO GlobalLinker of digital certificates of trade.
Pro Tip:
Electronic records save time besides increasing your reputation among international customers who like paperless transactions.
Final Thoughts
Export processes may seem to have complicated systems, yet they appear to be complex when you develop templates and digital workflows, it becomes straightforward and efficient.
Proper and full paperwork guarantees:
- Faster customs clearance
- Timely buyer payments
- Little or no fines or shipment detentions.
Quick Summary Table: Export Documents Checklist 2025
Document Name Purpose Issued By Commercial Invoice Payment & customs valuation Exporter Packing List Physical cargo details Exporter Bill of Lading / AWB Transport document Carrier Shipping Bill Customs clearance ICEGATE Portal Certificate of Origin Country confirmation DGFT / FIEO Letter of Credit Payment guarantee Bank Export License Regulatory approval DGFT Insurance Certificate Shipment protection Insurance Company GST Invoice & LUT Tax compliance GST Portal Product Certificates Industry regulation Respective Boards
Need Help Preparing Your Export Documents?
At VSK Global Trade, we guide Indian exporters with:
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Export document templates (Word + Excel)
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DGFT & ICEGATE registration support
-
Step-by-step customs clearance guide
Greater trust and long-run export relations.
You may be exporting clothes, spices, machines or electronics, but in any case, documentation is the link between your factory and your port where the final consumer.
Published by VSK Global Trade – Smart Support for Indian Exporters.
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