Business Registration & Compliance

Business Registration, License & Compliance for Exporters in India

Seamless Exporting Starts Here

Owning a business & hoping to expand and sell your products overseas through major online portals like Alibaba and Amazon, exporters in India must ensure they are fully compliant with legal and regulatory requirements. Proper registration, licensing, and adherence to compliance standards are essential steps to establish a credible and operational export business.

Key Registration & Licensing Requirements

Essential requirements for your smooth Global journey

1

Business Registration

Foundation Setup

Private Limited Company / LLP / Sole Proprietorship

Register your business under the Indian Companies Act or register as a sole proprietor to legitimize your export operations.

Legal Entity Formation

GST Registration

Mandatory for exporters; enables proper tax compliance and input tax rebates & availing LUT to dispatch their goods as zero-rated supplies

LUT allows zero-rated supplies without upfront tax payment

Import Export Code (IEC)

A crucial license issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) required to legally export goods from India.

10-digit unique code - Essential for all export activities

AD Code (Authorized Dealer Code) or Port Registration

Exporters in India must obtain an Authorized Dealer (AD) Code and register it with their export port for customs clearance and compliance with regulations.

Port Access & Customs Clearance

Trademark Registration

Registering a trademark is vital for international business, offering strong legal protection, fostering customer trust, deterring competitors, and enabling global expansion with exclusive rights in foreign markets

Legal Protection
Customer Trust
Deter Competitors
Global Rights
2

Certifications needed by Exporters

Quality & Standards

Various Certificates needed to Export & Import

EU GPSR Certificate

European Union General Product Safety Regulation compliance

US FDA

Food and Drug Administration approval for US markets

CE / ISO

European Conformity & International Organization for Standardization

GMP

Good Manufacturing Practice for quality assurance

EPR Certificate

Extended Producer Responsibility for environmental compliance

BIS

Bureau of Indian Standards certification

FSSAI

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India license

MSME, Startup, Udhyam

Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises registration

RCMC

Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate for export benefits

APEDA

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

HALAL Certificate

Islamic dietary law compliance for Muslim markets

Spice / Tea Coffee Board Registration

Specialized board registration for spice and beverage exports

3

Compliance for a successful Export journey

Legal Requirements

Ensuring compliance with Indian laws and regulations is crucial for a smooth and successful export operation. Adhering to these legal requirements not only facilitates seamless customs clearance but also enhances your credibility in the international market.

Here's an overview of key compliance areas that exporters must focus on:

1

Customs Act & Export Regulations

Comply with the Indian Customs Act for proper documentation, valuation, and clearance of export goods.
Accurate filing of shipping documents like the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, and Packing List.
Required Documents:
Bill of Lading Commercial Invoice Packing List
2

Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act

Follow licensing and registration requirements, including the Import Export Code (IEC) that needs to be renewed every year for legal export activities.
Obtain RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate), an official document in India that certifies an exporter's registration, granting access to export promotion benefits and schemes.
Stay updated with government policies, incentives, and restrictions on exports.

IEC must be renewed annually for continuous export operations

3

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Register for GST and pay applicable taxes, availing input tax credits on exported goods & GST Refunds.
Exporters can dispatch their goods as zero-rated supplies under LUT, which negates the need to pay taxes and later claim refunds. The LUT is valid for one financial year

LUT (Letter of Undertaking) - Valid for one financial year, eliminates upfront tax payment

4

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)

Ensure all foreign currency transactions related to exports are compliant with FEMA regulations.
Maintain proper records of foreign exchange remittances and export proceeds.
5

Income Tax Law

Obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN)
from the Income Tax Department.
File timely Income Tax Returns (ITR)
declaring income from export activities.
Avail benefits and exemptions
under relevant sections, such as Section 10AA for SEZ units.
Adhere accounting and audit requirements
as per Income Tax laws.
Declare foreign income
and transactions as required under the Income Tax Act.

Section 10AA provides tax benefits for SEZ (Special Economic Zone) units

6

Product-Specific Laws & Certifications

Meet applicable standards such as BIS, FSSAI, or ISO, etc, depending on product category.
Obtain necessary certificates to ensure international acceptance and market access.
7

Packaging & Labeling Laws

Comply with packaging norms for safety, sustainability, and international standards.
Accurate labeling as per destination country regulations, including language, weight, and ingredient details.

Key Requirements: Safety standards, sustainability norms, destination-specific language, weight details, ingredient information

Why Choose Us?

Your trusted partner for complete export compliance

Expert Guidance

Expert guidance on business registration and licensing

Complete Assistance

Assistance with compliance and certification procedures

Seamless Integration

End-to-end support for seamless online marketplace integration

Stay Updated

Stay updated on regulatory changes affecting exports

Start Your Export Journey Today!

Partner with us to ensure your export business is fully compliant with all Indian laws and ready to tap into international markets through the leading online export portals, for a successful global presence.

Contact us for expert assistance and turn your exporting ambitions into reality.