Trade Knowledge Hub

Export-Import Guides & Insights

Free, in-depth guides on Indian trade operations — written for exporters, importers, and customs professionals.

Export Documentation8 min read

What is a Shipping Bill in India? Complete Guide for Exporters (2026)

A shipping bill is the most critical export document in India. Learn the types, filing process via ICEGATE, LEO status tracking, and common mistakes to avoid.

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Customs & Compliance7 min read

ICEGATE Tracking: How to Track Shipping Bills & Bills of Entry Online

Track your export shipping bills and import bills of entry on ICEGATE. Step-by-step guide with screenshots and automation tips.

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Export Incentives9 min read

RoDTEP Scheme India: Complete Guide for Exporters (Rates, Claims, Benefits)

RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) is India's key export incentive. Learn rates, eligibility, and how to claim.

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Trade Finance10 min read

Letter of Credit (LC) in Export-Import: Types, Process & Tips for Indian Traders

Letters of Credit secure international trade payments. Learn the types, bank process, and how to avoid costly discrepancies.

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Customs & Compliance6 min read

HS Code Lookup India: Find Customs Duty Rates for Any Product

Find the right HS code for your products. Look up customs duty rates, IGST, RoDTEP benefits, and drawback rates instantly.

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Export Documentation7 min read

Export-Import Documentation Checklist India: All Documents You Need

Don't miss a single document. Here's the complete export-import documentation checklist for Indian traders.

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Compliance & Risk8 min read

Sanctions Screening for Indian Exporters: OFAC, UN & EU Compliance Guide

Sanctions compliance is critical for Indian exporters. Learn how to screen buyers against OFAC, UN, and EU lists to avoid heavy penalties.

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Logistics6 min read

Demurrage & Detention Charges in India: How to Calculate and Avoid Them

Demurrage and detention charges can eat into your profits. Learn how they work, how to calculate them, and tips to avoid them.

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Tax & Compliance7 min read

GST & IGST Refund for Exporters in India: Complete Process Guide

Exporters can claim refund of IGST paid on exports or export under LUT bond. Here's the complete process.

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Guides9 min read

Best Export Import Software in India (2026): Top 5 Compared

Looking for the best export-import software in India? We compare the top 5 platforms on features, pricing, and India-specific capabilities.

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Export Documentation7 min read

IEC Code Registration in India: Complete Guide for New Exporters (2026)

An Import Export Code (IEC) is mandatory for anyone wanting to export or import goods from India. Here's the complete guide to getting yours.

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Guides9 min read

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) for Indian Exporters: How to Reduce Duty & Boost Exports

India has signed FTAs with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Australia, and more. Learn how to leverage these agreements to reduce duties and win more international orders.

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Tax & Compliance8 min read

GST Refund for Exporters in India: IGST Refund Process & Timeline (2026)

Exporters in India can claim refund of IGST paid on exports. Learn the process, required documents, timelines, and how to avoid common refund delays.

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Guides10 min read

Export Promotion Councils in India: Complete List & Benefits for Exporters (2026)

India has 26+ Export Promotion Councils covering every industry. Learn which EPC to join, the benefits of membership, and how EPCs help you grow your export business.

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Export Incentives9 min read

Advance Authorisation Scheme India: Duty-Free Import of Raw Materials for Exporters

India's Advance Authorisation scheme lets exporters import raw materials without paying customs duty. Learn how to apply, SION norms, and export obligations.

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Guides12 min read

How to Start an Export Business in India: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (2026)

Want to start exporting from India? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through every step — from IEC registration to finding international buyers and shipping your first order.

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Export Incentives8 min read

EPCG Scheme India: Import Capital Goods at Zero Duty for Export Production

The EPCG scheme lets Indian exporters import machinery at zero duty. Learn the eligibility, export obligation (6x), and application process to save lakhs on capital goods.

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Trade Finance10 min read

Payment Terms in International Trade: Complete Guide for Indian Exporters

Choosing the right payment terms can make or break your export deal. Learn about T/T, LC, D/P, D/A, and open account — with risk analysis for Indian exporters.

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Customs & Compliance9 min read

How to Calculate Customs Duty on Imports in India: BCD, IGST, Cess Explained

Importing goods into India? Understand exactly how customs duty is calculated — BCD, SWS, IGST, and cess. With step-by-step examples and the complete landed cost formula.

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Trade Finance7 min read

FIRC Certificate in India: Complete Guide for Exporters (2026)

A Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) is essential proof of export payment receipt in India. Learn how to obtain it, RBI rules, and troubleshooting tips.

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Guides9 min read

How to Find Buyers for Export from India: Practical Guide (2026)

Struggling to find overseas buyers? This practical guide covers 10 proven methods Indian exporters use to find and convert international buyers in 2026.

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Export Documentation10 min read

Export Documentation Checklist India: Complete List of Documents (2026)

Don't miss a single document. This comprehensive checklist covers every document Indian exporters need — from IEC to shipping bill, certificate of origin to FIRC.

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Customs & Compliance8 min read

What is Bill of Entry in India? Complete Guide for Importers (2026)

A Bill of Entry is the primary customs document for clearing imported goods in India. Learn the types, ICEGATE filing process, and how to avoid assessment disputes.

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Customs & Compliance9 min read

DGFT License Types in India: All Authorizations Explained (2026)

DGFT issues multiple types of licenses and authorizations for Indian exporters and importers. This guide explains each type, eligibility, benefits, and export obligations.

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Export Documentation10 min read

How to Create a Commercial Invoice for Export from India (2026 Guide)

Learn how to create a perfect commercial invoice for your exports — required fields, format, GST treatment, and common mistakes Indian exporters make.

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Customs & Compliance12 min read

Complete Guide to DGFT Registration and IEC Code Application (2026)

Everything you need to know about DGFT registration and IEC code — the mandatory first step for any Indian exporter or importer.

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Customs & Compliance11 min read

Understanding HS Codes: How to Find the Right HS Code for Your Product (2026)

HS codes determine your customs duty, export benefits, and compliance requirements. Learn how to find the correct HS code for your product.

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Export Documentation9 min read

Export Documentation Checklist: 15 Documents Every Indian Exporter Needs (2026)

Missing even one export document can delay your shipment by weeks. Here's the complete checklist of 15 documents every Indian exporter must have.

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Trade Finance13 min read

Letter of Credit (LC) in Export: Complete Guide for Indian Exporters (2026)

Letters of Credit are the safest payment method in international trade. Learn how LCs work, types of LCs, and how to avoid discrepancies that delay your payment.

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Guides11 min read

Best Export Documentation Software for Indian Exporters (2026): An Honest Buyer's Guide

Most 'best software' lists are written by people who have never filed a shipping bill. This one explains what each category of tool actually does, where each wins, and when you don't need software at all.

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Customs & Compliance7 min read

Documents Required for IEC Code (2026): The Exact List, and Why Applications Get Rejected

Most IEC rejections come down to four avoidable mistakes in the documents. Here is the exact list by entity type, and what DGFT actually checks.

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Customs & Compliance6 min read

IEC Registration Fees in India (2026): The ₹500 Government Fee, and What Else You Will Actually Pay

The government fee for an IEC is ₹500. Agents quote ₹1,500 to ₹5,000. Here is exactly what the difference buys — and when it is worth paying.

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Customs & Compliance6 min read

How to Check IEC Status and Verify an IEC Code (Know Your IEC, DGFT 2026)

You can verify any IEC in about thirty seconds — useful for checking your own status, and for checking a counterparty's before you ship on credit.

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Customs & Compliance6 min read

Why Your IEC Gets Deactivated: Annual Updation, and How to Reactivate (2026)

An IEC used to be permanent. It is not any more — it must be confirmed every year between April and June, even if nothing changed, or it stops working.

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