Step-by-Step Import/Export Process Support on Navi Exports
The most common reason Indian manufacturers don't export isn't that they lack a product. It's that the process looks complicated from the outside - and nobody explains it clearly. Customs paperwork. IEC codes. HS code classification. Incoterms. Freight forwarding. Bank documentation. It's a lot of new vocabulary before you've shipped a single box.
Navi Exports is built for people who make things worth selling internationally, not just for people who already know how trade works. So the platform covers the full process - from listing your product to clearing customs on the other end.
The full export journey, broken down Step 1.: Get your export credentials in orderBefore you export, you need two things: a GST Identification Number (GSTIN) and an Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade). The IEC is a 10-digit code linked to your PAN - it's mandatory for any international shipment.
If you don't have your IEC yet, you can still register on Navi Exports and start building your profile. Our team will guide you through the DGFT application process. It's done online, takes a few days, and costs ₹500 as of current DGFT fee schedules.
Step 2.: List your product correctlyA product listing on Navi Exports isn't just a title and a photo. To attract serious international buyers, your listing needs: accurate product description, HS (Harmonised System) code, export price in USD or your target currency, minimum order quantity, lead time, available certifications (FSSAI, BIS, CE, ISO, etc.), and high-quality product photos.
Buyers in Germany, the UAE, the US, and other major markets are comparing your listing against dozens of other suppliers. The more complete and specific your listing, the more seriously you'll be taken. Our team can review your listings before they go live if you want a second opinion.
Every international shipment requires a set of documents. Missing or incorrect documents delay customs clearance — on both the Indian export side and the import side of the destination country.
The standard export documentation set includes:Depending on your product category, you may also need: phytosanitary certificate (agriculture), drug licence (pharmaceuticals), GMP certificate, inspection certificate, or pre-shipment inspection report.
It sounds like a lot. After your first two or three shipments, it becomes routine. We help you build a document checklist specific to your product category so nothing gets missed.
Step 4.: Choose the right freight and logistics partnerSea freight or air freight? It depends on your product's value, weight, and the buyer's timeline. High-value, low-weight goods (gems, electronics, pharmaceuticals) almost always move by air. Bulk commodities, machinery, and textiles typically move by sea in FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load) depending on volume.
Navi Exports connects you with vetted freight forwarding partners who handle booking, customs filing at the port of origin, and coordination with the buyer's customs agent at the destination. You don't need to negotiate freight rates cold - our logistics network gives you access to competitive pricing from day one.
Step 5.: Get paid - and get your GST refundOnce goods are exported and foreign exchange is received, you can claim a GST refund on inputs used in the exported goods. This is one of the most underused benefits of exporting for first-time exporters - and one of the most important for cash flow.
The refund is filed through the GST portal, linked to your ICEGATE shipping bill data. Our team can walk you through the process so the money comes back to you promptly rather than sitting in a pending queue.
For experienced exporters: what Navi Exports adds to an existing operationIf you've been exporting for years and have your own freight forwarder, customs agent, and buyer relationships - Navi Exports gives you an additional buyer acquisition channel without disrupting your existing setup.
New international buyers find your products through Google (we invest in SEO so your listings rank), through direct platform traffic, and through our outreach to verified international buyer networks. You respond to inquiries through the platform and handle fulfilment the way you normally would.
The verification badge adds credibility with buyers who are evaluating multiple suppliers. The analytics dashboard shows you which markets are viewing your products most, so you can focus your energy in the right direction.
Our support team is based in Jaipur - not an outsourced chat bot, not a generic help centre. When you call +91-8209951350 or write to [email protected], you're talking to someone who understands the Indian export ecosystem, knows what DGFT compliance looks like, and can give you practical guidance rather than generic answers.
For first-time exporters, that makes a real difference in the first few months. For experienced exporters, it means faster resolution when something unusual comes up.
Ready to start? Register free at naviexports.com →
Need help Call us at +91-8209951350 or write to [email protected]
The first step is getting your IEC — Import Export Code - issued by the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade). The IEC is a 10-digit code linked to your PAN and is mandatory for any international shipment from India. You also need a valid GSTIN. Both can be obtained online. Once you have these, you can register on Navi Exports, list your products, and start receiving international buyer inquiries. If you don't have your IEC yet, you can still register and set up your profile while you apply.
The standard export document set includes: Commercial Invoice (itemised bill in the agreed currency), Packing List (detailed breakdown of contents with weights and dimensions), Bill of Lading or Airway Bill (issued by the freight carrier), Certificate of Origin (certifies the goods are manufactured in India), Shipping Bill (filed on ICEGATE for customs clearance at the port of export), and Bank Realisation Certificate (confirms foreign exchange receipt, required for GST refunds). Depending on your product, you may also need a phytosanitary certificate, drug licence, GMP certificate, or pre-shipment inspection report.
IEC registration is done online through the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in. You need a valid PAN, a bank account in your business name, and a digital signature or Aadhaar-based OTP for authentication. The application fee is ₹500 as of current DGFT schedules. Processing typically takes 2 to 3 working days. Our support team at Navi Exports can walk you through the application if you get stuck — call +91-8696262448 or write to [email protected].
HS code stands for Harmonised System code — an internationally standardised 8-digit number that classifies every tradeable product. Customs authorities in both India and the destination country use the HS code to determine applicable duties, taxes, and trade restrictions. Using the wrong HS code on your export documents can delay customs clearance, result in incorrect duty calculations, and in some cases lead to shipment rejection. Getting your HS code right before your first shipment is one of the most important things a new exporter can do.
It depends on your product's value, weight, volume, and the buyer's timeline. High-value, low-weight products — gems, electronics, pharmaceuticals, certain garments — typically move by air because the speed justifies the cost. Bulk commodities, machinery, heavy textiles, and agricultural products almost always move by sea in FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load) depending on volume. For your first shipment, our logistics partners can give you a freight quote for both options so you can decide based on actual numbers rather than guesswork.
Yes. Exports from India are zero-rated under GST, which means you can claim a refund on GST paid on inputs used in the exported goods. The refund is filed through the GST portal and is automatically linked to your ICEGATE shipping bill data. Many first-time exporters either don't know about this refund or leave it in a pending queue because the process isn't explained clearly. Our team walks you through the filing process so the refund reaches you promptly instead of sitting unclaimed.
FEMA stands for Foreign Exchange Management Act — the Indian law that governs all foreign currency transactions, including export proceeds. Under FEMA, Indian exporters are required to realise and repatriate export earnings within a specified time period (currently 9 months for most goods). Failure to comply can result in penalties. The Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC) issued by your bank after receiving payment confirms FEMA compliance. Navi Exports helps you understand your FEMA obligations before your first shipment so nothing catches you off guard.
Navi Exports gives experienced exporters an additional buyer acquisition channel without disrupting your existing setup. Your product listings are indexed by Google through our SEO infrastructure, giving you visibility to international buyers searching for Indian suppliers online. The Verified Exporter Badge adds credibility when buyers are comparing multiple suppliers. The analytics dashboard shows which markets are viewing your products most actively, so you can focus your outreach on the right geographies. You handle fulfilment the way you normally would — we handle the discovery side.