Exporting Apparel from India

Exporting Apparel from India: A Checklist for First-Time Buyers

Export Guide12 min read•Posted on December 12, 2024

Pre-Export Preparation

1. Research the Market

  • Identify target country requirements (demand, style, seasonality, and price points).
  • Study trade restrictions, duty rates, and competitor sourcing regions.

2. Finalize Product & Specifications

  • Decide apparel category (casual wear, activewear, ethnic, kidswear, etc.).
  • Prepare a tech pack with fabric details, measurements, trims, colors, packaging instructions.

3. Select Reliable Suppliers/Manufacturers

  • Verify background: certifications (SEDEX, GOTS, ISO, Fair Trade).
  • Inspect sample quality & compliance with international standards.
  • Negotiate clear terms on MOQ, pricing, and lead time.
Pre-export preparation
Compliance and legal documentation

Compliance & Legal Documentation

1. Exporter Registration

  • Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT (mandatory).
  • Register with EPCH / AEPC for export incentives.

2. Business & Legal Docs

  • GST registration (if applicable).
  • Company PAN, bank account with AD code (Authorized Dealer Code).

3. Buyer’s Import Regulations

  • Check labeling norms (fiber content, wash care, country of origin).
  • Ensure compliance with safety standards (e.g., CPSIA for US, REACH for EU).

Order & Production Process

1. Sampling & Approvals

  • Develop proto sample → fit sample → pre-production sample.
  • Obtain written approval on each sample to avoid disputes.

2. Production Monitoring

  • Conduct quality checks at inline, midline, and final stages.
  • Ensure AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) inspections before shipment.
Order and production process
Logistics and shipping

Logistics & Shipping

1. Packaging

  • Follow buyer’s packaging standards (poly bags, tags, cartons).
  • Use barcodes if required (UPC/EAN).

2. Logistics

  • Choose mode: sea (cheaper, longer) or air (faster, costly).
  • Agree on Incoterms (FOB, CIF, DDP) with the buyer.

3. Export Documentation

  • Commercial Invoice & Packing List.
  • Bill of Lading / Airway Bill & Certificate of Origin.
  • Inspection Certificate (if required) & Export Declaration Form (EDF).

Payment & Risk Management

1. Payment Terms

  • Secure methods: LC (Letter of Credit), Advance TT, or DP (Documents against Payment).
  • Avoid full credit for first-time orders.

2. Insurance

  • Marine insurance for goods in transit.
  • Credit insurance to safeguard against buyer default.

3. Foreign Exchange

  • Monitor exchange rates (USD/Euro vs INR).
  • Hedge currency risk for large orders.
Payment and risk management
After-sales relationship building

After-Sales & Relationship Building

1. Post-Shipment Follow-Up

  • Confirm receipt and buyer satisfaction.
  • Maintain communication to secure repeat orders.

2. Feedback Loop

  • Collect buyer feedback on quality, packaging, and timelines.
  • Use insights to refine processes for future exports.

Explore More Insights

Discover more articles about fashion design, manufacturing, and industry insights.

Indian Handloom & Sustainable Textiles: Why They Are Trending Among US Fashion Brands
Sustainability7 min read

Indian Handloom & Sustainable Textiles: Why They Are Trending Among US Fashion Brands

India's draft rules make a numbered Handloom Mark label compulsory on anything sold as handloom, exports included. For a US brand buying hand-woven cloth, the claim gets easier to prove and harder to fake. What makes handloom different from power-loom cloth, six weaves and where they fit in a US line, where the sustainability case holds and where it doesn't, and the five proofs to ask for before you approve a sample.

Krazy Kreators TeamOctober 3, 2026
0
0
From Indian Art to Global Fashion: How US Clothing Brands Can Source Authentic Indian Textiles
Manufacturing8 min read

From Indian Art to Global Fashion: How US Clothing Brands Can Source Authentic Indian Textiles

The swatch is the easy part. The five stages between a piece of Indian cloth and finished garments clearing US customs: a fabric spec with tolerances, finding a supplier and checking every craft claim, samples in the right order, four lab tests before bulk, and the labels, duty and paperwork at the US border, where Indian goods now pay their normal rate plus 10%.

Krazy Kreators TeamOctober 3, 2026
0
0
Indian Textile Art Meets Modern Fashion: What US Brands Can Create With Indian Craftsmanship
Manufacturing6 min read

Indian Textile Art Meets Modern Fashion: What US Brands Can Create With Indian Craftsmanship

Block print, ikat, Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Chikankari and Kantha: six Indian crafts, what each one suits in a modern US collection, and where each one gets difficult. Plus a product-by-craft table, the seven steps from traditional craft to finished collection, a sourcing checklist, and how to tell the story without overclaiming.

Krazy Kreators TeamOctober 14, 2026
0
0

Ready to Transform Your Vision Into Reality?

Let's work together to bring your fashion vision to life with our comprehensive design and manufacturing services.