Start by choosing one product you can source consistently at a competitive price, and study its demand in two or three target countries. Next, register your business (a proprietorship works to begin), get a PAN, and apply for an IEC (Import Export Code) from DGFT. Open a current account, prepare a simple catalogue with pricing, and start contacting buyers through B2B platforms, LinkedIn, and export promotion councils. Begin with a small trial order so you can learn documentation like the commercial invoice, packing list, and shipping bill before scaling up.

Running an export business from home is absolutely possible if you pick lightweight, easy-to-ship products such as handicrafts, home décor, spices, or apparel that do not need a factory. Get your IEC online, use B2B marketplaces along with LinkedIn and WhatsApp outreach to reach buyers, and work with freight forwarders who offer doorstep pickup. Starting with sample or low-MOQ orders keeps your investment low, and many first-time exporters in India run everything from home until volumes grow.

The basic requirements are a business registration (proprietorship, partnership, or private limited), PAN, a current bank account, and an IEC from DGFT, with GST registration needed in certain cases. Depending on your product, you may also need compliance like FSSAI for food items or quality certifications for specific categories. Beyond paperwork, you need a clear sourcing plan and a buyer acquisition plan, because documents alone do not get orders.

Government costs are low — the IEC fee is around ₹500 and proprietorship registration costs very little. Your real spending goes into samples, packaging, a basic catalogue or website, B2B portal memberships, and logistics for the first shipment. For lightweight products with low minimum order quantities, many new exporters start with a budget of a few tens of thousands of rupees and reinvest early profits into bigger orders.

Categories with steady global demand include handicrafts and home décor, textiles and apparel, spices and agro products, leather goods, gems and jewellery, herbal and Ayurveda products, and engineering goods. The right choice depends on your sourcing access, margins, and interest rather than just demand lists. Validate your shortlisted product with buyers or market research in your target country before committing money to stock.

Get your IEC, find US buyers through B2B portals, LinkedIn, and trade fairs, and check product-specific compliance such as FDA registration for food, cosmetics, or supplements. Prepare correct labeling, a certificate of origin, and quotes using clear Incoterms, then ship through a freight forwarder with a US customs broker. For new buyer relationships, secure payments through advance transfer or a letter of credit, since the US is a big but compliance-heavy market.

The UAE is one of the easier first markets because of the large Indian community and Dubai's role as a re-export hub. You will need your IEC, a certificate of origin, proper English or Arabic labeling, and halal certification for food products. Connect with buyers through Dubai trade fairs, B2B portals, and local trading companies, and agree on payment terms and Incoterms clearly before shipping.

The standard export process works like this: confirm the order with a proforma invoice, arrange production and packing, book a freight forwarder, and prepare documents such as the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and shipping bill. Your shipment clears customs and is handed to the carrier, after which you receive the bill of lading or airway bill and share it with the buyer for clearance at their end. Payment is realized through your bank, and after two or three shipments the cycle becomes routine.

The most effective channels are B2B marketplaces, export promotion councils, international trade fairs, LinkedIn outreach to importers and sourcing managers, and referrals from your first orders. Focus on one product category and two or three target countries instead of chasing every market at once. Respond quickly, share a professional catalogue, and be transparent about MOQs and pricing, because buyers repeat orders with exporters who communicate well.

Websites to find international buyers include IndiaMART's export section, TradeIndia, ExportersIndia, and global portals like Alibaba and Global Sources, along with niche marketplaces for categories like handicrafts and apparel. These platforms generate leads, but treat every enquiry as a starting point rather than a confirmed order. Verify the buyer's company, agree on secure payment terms, and move serious conversations to a call before shipping anything.

Combine B2B portals with garment-specific routes such as apparel trade fairs, buying houses, and sourcing agents who supply international retail brands. Search for sourcing managers and merchandising heads of importers on LinkedIn and send short, specific pitches with your lookbook and price range. Meeting international sizing, labeling, and quality standards early makes it far easier to convert enquiries into repeat garment orders.

An IEC (Import Export Code) is a 10-digit code issued by DGFT and is mandatory for exporting from India. Apply online on the DGFT portal using your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details, pay a nominal fee of around ₹500, and the code is usually issued electronically within a day or two. A single IEC covers all products and branches and remains valid for life, as long as you keep your details updated.

Indian handicrafts have strong demand in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, especially handmade home décor, textiles, and gift items. Source from a reliable craft cluster or artisans, ensure consistent quality and finishing, and get your IEC along with any product-specific certificates for items like wooden ware. Good photography, a clear story around the craft, and listing on B2B portals and global marketplaces help you reach buyers, and small air shipments work well for the first orders.

Watch for red flags like buyers who refuse a video call, ask for large quantities of free samples, demand that you pay a "registration" or "agent commission" to release an order, or place an unusually big order without any negotiation. Verify the buyer's company registration, take an advance payment or letter of credit for new buyers, and never pay a third party to "unlock" a deal. Genuine buyers negotiate pricing and terms like any normal business.

On LinkedIn, set up your profile as an exporter of your specific product, search for importers, distributors, and sourcing managers by country, and send short personalized notes instead of mass messages. Use WhatsApp Business with a product catalogue and quick replies, and move interested LinkedIn contacts there for faster follow-up. Consistency matters more than volume — a few well-researched, specific messages daily outperform bulk blasts.