Starting a new Import Export Business can be a challenging task. Anyone new to the world of exports is likely confronted with many questions, ranging from the documentation required to the legal guidelines they need to comply with. Unfortunately, the information available is a bit difficult to find and is scattered across various sources online and is difficult to locate.
but don't worry, Our Export Import Master Course Available online, This Exim Master Course will help you in understanding and starting your export import business.
This step-by-step guide will guide you through the many steps you'll need to complete to get your export business off the ground - starting with choosing the most efficient kind of business model to decide on the best market in addition to buyers and finally, preparing the final paperwork and preparing to ship your first shipment. Follow these steps, and you'll be ready to start your journey into this world of international trade. Best of luck!
Step by Step Guide - How to Start Export Import Business
Table of Content
You can apply for a PAN Card.
There are requirements for starting a new business in export that begins with a PAN card. Both you and your partner(s) need to have identity proof and proof of address for registration of your company.
It is required for each registered company to apply for the PAN card (PAN) through the Income Tax Department. The process for obtaining an official PAN for a business is very similar to the application for individual PAN and is further explained in this article.
Choose the type of Business Entity
For starting an export import business, one first needs to decide the form your business, will take, based upon the form of ownership. You must then create a business registration and select the name you want to use for your company entity. You can form a Sole Proprietorship firm, a Partnership firm, an LLP, A Private Limited Company or A Public Limited Company
Open a Current Bank Account
A bank account used by business entities is called a Current Account. Your business's new export-import venture requires an existing bank account to make transactions with suppliers and customers. The documents required to open a current account vary depending on the type of business entity,
Import Export Code (IEC Code)
The IEC Code will be mandatory for anyone who wants to begin an import-export business. Various supporting documents will accompany the IEC Code application form, filed with the Director General of Foreign Trade.
Also Read -
How to apply IEC code Online.
View IEC Related Details Online
Choose your export product
Making the right choice of product is essential to your export business strategy. There are various factors to bear in mind, like the current state of international markets and regulations, current trends in exports, and many more. You can find more detailed information and a rough guide to point you in the right direction in our directory for selecting the right export product.
Your Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is important too!
India has many Export promotion bodies that work to encourage exports from various service and product sectors. The registration with these councils provides exporters access to events and support to grow their business. And It's also necessary for accessing certain benefits under India's Foreign Trade Policy.
The RCMC is essential to register with them, RCMC has validity across India, and it takes about an entire week to complete the registration. For instance, if you export processed or agricultural food products, you must apply for registration through APEDA, which has an online registration option through its site.
Also Read - View and Modify RCMC Details in DGFT Website
Selecting the Right Export Market
You must ensure that your product or service exported has the right market somewhere in the world. There are a few factors that the new exporter must be aware of, such as demand for the product and trade barriers, profitability, and the political environment. In light of these aspects, the exporter needs to evaluate the market's viability and decide on which he will export.
Finding Buyers for your Product
After deciding on the product and market following the product and market selection, your business plan is to determine the best way to locate buyers for your export item. There are various ways in which you can generate potential buyers for your products, such as making a website, signing up on buyer-seller websites, taking part with Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, and utilizing government agencies such as Export Promotion Councils, etc.
Don’t forget to get your finances in order
No matter how well you formulate your export business plan and how many contingencies you prepare for, your business is unlikely to get off the ground without access to some initial financing. The first step is to establish your financial Projections. Ideally, it is essential to estimate the financial requirements of your business. After that, you need to determine the kind of financing for exports that is the most appropriate to your business's export needs. It can be in the form of short-term and long-term funding, based on your company's needs. In addition, there are government subsidies which you can avail.
Getting ready to go!
Once you've completed the steps above, your newly established export business is now ready to start operational activities like, including finalizing the shipping company and the freight forwarder, and the customs clearing agency looking for markets and marketing your company in international markets.
Follow this step-by-step guide, and you start your import export business, and other topics that we will cover in our next guide. Stay tuned!
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Starting a new export import business can be a challenging task. New entrepreneurs entering the world of exports will likely have a thousand questions, ranging from the documents required, the legal guidelines they must adhere to. Unfortunately, this information is rather scarce and scattered across different sources on the internet, making it difficult to find. Through this series, Drip Capital aims to guide budding new exporters through the process of setting up their exports business.
This step-by-step guide will take you through the various activities you need to do to get your export business off the ground - right from choosing the most effective type of business model, to selecting the right markets and buyers, to setting up your final documentation and getting ready to ship your first order. Follow these steps, and you should be ready to start your journey into the world of international trade. Good luck!
Get a PAN Card
There are certain set of documents required for starting a new export business, starting with a PAN Card. You and your partner(s) must have valid identity and address proofs in order to register your business.
It is mandatory for every registered business entity to apply for a PAN Card (PAN) with the Income Tax Department. The procedure for getting a PAN for a business entity is quite similar to that of applying for a personal PAN, and is discussed further in this guide.
Select type of Business Entity
For starting an export import business, one first needs to decide the form your business will take depending on the structure of ownership. Then you need to register your new business and choose a name for your business entity. You can form a Sole Proprietorship firm, a Partnership firm, an LLP, A Private Limited Company or A Public Limited Company.
Open a Current Account
Bank Account which is used by business entities is called a Current Account. Your new export import business will need a current account to transact with customers and vendors. The documents required to open a current account vary depending on the type of business entity.
Don’t forget the IEC Code!
The IEC Code is required for anyone looking to start an import export business. Various supporting documents will accompany the IEC Code application form which will be filed with the Director General of Foreign Trade.
Choose your export product
Selecting the right product is key to your export import business plan. There are various factors you need to keep in mind such as the state of international markets, regulations, export trends, and more. You can find more detailed information as well as a rough guide to point you in the right direction in our guide for selecting the right export product.
Your Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is important too!
India has a number of export promotion councils that work to promote the export of different product and service verticals. Registration with these councils gives exporters access to events and assistance to expand their business, and is also necessary for accessing certain benefits under India’s Foreign Trade Policy. The RCMC is essential to registering with them. The RCMC is valid all over India and takes roughly a week to get the registration done. For example, if you are an exporter of agricultural or processed food products youc an register with APEDA which has an online registration facility on its website.
__ Also Read:__ MPEDA - How to Register Online & Subsidy Schemes for Exporters
Selecting the Right Export Market
You have to ensure that your export product/service has the right market somewhere in the world. There are certain factors which a new exporter has to keep in mind such as Demand for the Product, Trade Barriers, Profitability, Political Environment etc. Based on these factors the exporter has to analyse the viability and accordingly choose his export market.
__ Also Read:__ Export Incentives in India | Types, Benefits & How it works
Finding Buyers for your Product
After selecting the product and the market, the next step for your business plan would be to figure out how to find buyers for your export product. There are serveral ways through which you can collect leads for your product such as creating a website, registering on buyer-seller platforms, participating in Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, using government bodies like Export Promotion Councils etc.
Also Read: APEDA's Online Registration Process & Schemes for Agricultural Exports
Don’t forget to get your finances in order
No matter how well you formulate your export business plan and how many contingencies you prepare for, your business is unlikely to get off the ground without access to some initial financing. First, you need to get your Financial Projections right. It is important that you start with an estimation of your business's financial requirements. Then you must figure out which type of export financing would be best suited for your export business. This can take the form of short-term as well as long-term financing based on your business’s requirements. Additionally, there are subsidies from the government that you can access.
Getting ready to go!
After you’ve completed these steps, your newly setup export business is ready to start operational activities like finalizing the shipping partner and freight forwarder/customs clearing agent, exploring market opportunities and promoting your business in overseas markets.
Follow this step-by-step guide, and you should be ready to tackle your first shipment and the challenges that come with it -- topics that we will cover in our next guide. Stay tuned!
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