Import-Export refers to the business of buying goods from one country and selling them to another. Import means bringing products into your country from abroad. Export means sending products from your country to buyers in other countries. Import-Export plays a key role in global trade by enabling businesses to reach international markets.
Some essential import export documents include:
These documents are mandatory for customs clearance and international trade compliance.
To start an import export business in India, you need to:
Import Export Code (IEC) is a unique 10-digit number required for importing or exporting goods and services from India. It is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and is mandatory for customs clearance.
Import Export Training helps you understand:
This training is ideal for entrepreneurs, exporters, importers, and business professionals.
The best training center should offer:
At GFE Business, our training program helps you get hands-on skills to start and grow your export- import venture.
Stay updated with international trade developments, policy changes, tariff news, export incentives and customs updates affecting global markets. Visit our Import Export News section for daily updated trends and industry insights.
Capital varies based on product type, order size, and logistics. Generally, you should budget for:
At GFE Business, our training program helps you get hands-on skills to start and grow your export- import venture.
Customs Duty is a tax levied by the government on goods imported into or exported from a country. The rate depends on product category, HS code, and trade agreements between countries.
To export products from India, you must first obtain an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT. After that, select a product, identify international buyers, decide pricing, complete export documentation, arrange logistics, and receive payment through a secure international payment method.
Domestic Import Export refers to the trade of goods within the same country. Products are moved from one state or city to another without crossing international borders. Customs duty and foreign currency transactions are not involved.
International Import Export involves trading goods or services between two or more countries. It requires customs clearance, international documentation, foreign currency payments, and compliance with global trade regulations.
| Domestic Trade | International Trade |
|---|---|
| Trade within the same country | Trade between different countries |
| No customs duty | Customs duties and taxes apply |
| Local currency transactions | Foreign currency transactions |
| Simple documentation | Complex documentation |
If you already have a product, you need to obtain IEC registration, identify the HS code, find international buyers, set export pricing, arrange shipping and logistics, complete export documentation, and use a secure payment method.
If you do not have your own product, you can work as a merchant exporter. In this model, you source products from local manufacturers and export them to international buyers. This method requires low investment and minimal inventory risk.
To import from China to India, you need IEC and GST registration, select a reliable Chinese supplier, check product quality and samples, finalize payment terms, arrange shipping (air or sea), and complete customs clearance in India.
Common international trade payment methods include:
Product selection depends on international demand, profit margin, export regulations, logistics cost, competition, and market trends. Proper product research is essential for a successful import export business.
Export profit margins depend on the product and market. On average, exporters earn 10% to 40% profit. Value-added and niche products generally provide higher margins.
India exports products to more than 200 countries, including the USA, UAE, UK, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and many others. India is a leading exporter of agricultural products, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods.
Import means bringing goods, services, or data from another country/program for use, sale, or processing, forming a core of international trade, like the U.S. importing cars from Japan; it also means significance or meaning, as in the import of a speech. Examples include a company importing coffee beans from Brazil, a person buying wine from France, or software importing a file format.
What Are Exports? Definition, Benefits, and Examples Export examples include physical goods like cars, electronics, grains, oil, and textiles, as well as services like software, IT support, banking, and tourism, essentially anything produced in one country and sold to another, from raw materials (iron ore) to high-tech items (chips) and even intellectual property.