Guide
A shipment rejected at the destination port is one of the most avoidable losses in exporting. The cure is to check the product rules of the target country before you quote.
Last checked: November 2026
Please note: Rules, duty rates and procedures change. Check the position in force on the date of your shipment. We are consultants, not a law firm.
The short answer
- Rules depend on the product and the market. Check them before you quote, not after you pack.
- Ask the buyer which licences and registrations the importer holds.
- Check the label against the rules before printing.
- Get approvals in writing before the goods sail.
Examples of product rules
- Food: licensing and clearance with the food safety authority of the country.
- Electronics and electricals: safety and conformity requirements.
- Packaged goods: label and measurement declarations.
- Wireless equipment and drones: separate approvals.
A simple routine before you quote
- Write down the exact product, the market and the buyer's role: importer, distributor or end user.
- Ask the buyer which registrations the importer already holds.
- List the approvals the product needs and who must obtain each one.
- Check the label and packing against the rules.
- Confirm the plan with the buyer in writing.
Exporting to India
An Indian importer needs an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and, for many goods, product-specific registrations. For food, the importer needs a food safety licence, and each consignment goes through clearance. Tell us the product and we list the Indian registrations and approvals to check before the goods sail, so your buyer is not surprised at the port.
Common questions
Does my product need an Indian importer licence?
Every Indian importer needs an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC). Many goods need further registrations as well. For example, an importer of food needs a food safety licence. The requirements depend on the product, so check each product before you ship.
Who is responsible for the label, the exporter or the importer?
The importer answers to the authorities in India, but the exporter prints the label. Agree in writing who will check the label against the rules before you print or pack.
What happens if the label is wrong at the port?
Depending on the rule, the goods may be held, relabelled at extra cost, or refused. The delay and storage charges usually fall on the importer, which is why the label should be checked before shipping.
Related on this site
- Shipment Readiness Check
- Start-up Exim Desk
- Exim Compliance Desk
- How to import drones in India
- How to verify a buyer or supplier before you pay or ship
Talk to us
Send us two lines on WhatsApp: the goods, the port or country, and what you need. We tell you what we need from you and our fee, in writing, before any work starts. We reply within one working day (Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM IST).
Multimodal Logistic Systems Pvt. Ltd., Pune, India. Written by Shankar Jha, Customs and EXIM consultant with 27+ years of experience. Rules and notifications change; we check those in force on the date of your query.