How to Export to the USA from India
You make something US buyers want: diyas, block-print linen, torans, hampers. Good news first: you can sell it to them from your desk in India.
You do not need a US company or a US warehouse to start. What you do need is the right order of decisions: one hero product, a price worked backwards from the US shelf, a ship-by date, and clean paperwork on both sides.
Exporting to the USA from India in 2026 means shipping every parcel duty paid. The US ended duty-free small parcels on 24 June 2026 and added a 10% Section 301 tariff on Indian goods on 24 July, so the duty has to sit inside your price. On the India side, new FEMA rules from 1 October 2026 give you nine months from shipment to bring the money home.
Start with one hero product sent by courier. Move stock to a US warehouse, or form a US company, only after that product has sold twice. Take advice before you form anything.
- XLSXWorkbook: scorecard, price calculator, ship-by calendar
- DOCXTen B2B outreach templates and a tracker
- PDFSeven printable unboxing and review cards
- DOCXThe 2026 rule changes, explained
- DOCXThe 62-point readiness checklist
First, which of these sounds like you?
Pick the one closest to where you are today. We'll point you to the parts that matter and you can skip the rest.
The whole route on one screen
Duty, time, paperwork and money. If you only read one section, make it this one.
- The $800 duty-free exemption is suspended for every mode of entry.
- Add 10% Section 301 on covered Indian goods.
- Illustration only: an 8% base rate becomes 18%.
- Express courier: about 9 days door to door, customs included.
- Bulk air to a US warehouse shelf: about 12 days.
- Diwali parcels leave India by 25 October.
- An active IEC and GST with an LUT.
- An AD bank with your AD code registered.
- One HS code everywhere, and a courier that ships DDP.
- The clock runs from shipment, not from the marketplace payout.
- 12 months for rupee-invoiced exports.
- Entries up to ₹10 lakh can close on your declaration.
Do I need a US company to sell to US buyers from India?
No. Selling by courier parcel needs an active Importer-Exporter Code, GST with a Letter of Undertaking, an authorised dealer bank, a courier account that supports DDP and a correct HS code. A US entity is Rung 3 of the Export Ladder, for when one product sells 100 or more units a month.
Five rule changes that touch your parcel
If you learned to export from a video made before July 2026, parts of it are now out of date. Tap a date to see what changed and the one move to make.
India lifts the ₹10 lakh courier export cap
CBIC Circular 17/2026-Customs removed the ₹10 lakh ceiling on commercial export consignments sent by courier, and the Board clarified that this also covers non-e-commerce commercial goods. Returned or rejected goods now follow a risk-based re-import approach (Notification 08/2026-Customs), and a Return Module was built into the Express Cargo Clearance System.
The US ends duty-free small parcels
Through two interim final rules, US Customs and Border Protection suspended the de minimis exemption, which let imports worth $800 or less enter duty-free. For shipments that do not travel by international post, the suspension took effect on 24 June 2026. International mail follows a new postal informal entry process for goods valued at $2,500 or less, which began on 24 July 2026: the filer must be the owner or purchaser, or a licensed customs broker, and duty is paid monthly.
CPSC eFiling becomes mandatory for regulated products
Importers of regulated consumer products must now file their compliance certificate information electronically with the Consumer Product Safety Commission before the products enter US commerce. For goods entering foreign trade zones, the date is 8 January 2027. CPSC says eFiling creates no new testing or certification duty: the certificate you were always supposed to hold is now checked electronically before the goods clear.
A new 10% Section 301 tariff on Indian goods
The US Trade Representative finalised Section 301 measures covering 60 economies, with additional tariffs of 10% or 12.5% from 24 July 2026. India was placed in the lower tier at 10%. India's Press Information Bureau reports that an estimated 45% of India's exports to the US stay outside the additional duty, including generic pharmaceuticals, smartphones, steel, aluminium and auto parts.
New FEMA export rules: nine months to bring the money home
The Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 apply from 1 October 2026. An amendment dated 22 September 2026 fixed the time allowed to realise export proceeds at nine months, down from fifteen in the January 2026 version. For rupee-invoiced exports the period is twelve months.
Tick each one. If you cannot answer an item, that is your first job tomorrow.
Seven steps to export to the USA, in the right order
Here's what most new exporters get backwards: they start from their cost. Start from the US shelf price and work back, and choose the product before the supplier.
Your route, station by station
Decide
Steps 01 to 03 · score, price, lane
Ship
Steps 04 and 05 · ship-by date, export ladder
Get paid and sell
Steps 06 and 07 · FEMA, buyers, reviews
Decide
Score before you source
Rate a product 1 to 5 on eight tests. 5 is strongest; for breakage and compliance, 5 means low risk and simple. Score three products, not one: the product you love is rarely the one that scores best.
Weakest test
–
Fix this first–
Price backwards from the US shelf
Enter the price the US buyer will pay and the calculator works back to the most you can pay for the product, then checks your supplier's quote. The defaults are the webinar's worked example: a $79 block-print linen set on Etsy, free shipping, at ₹96 to the dollar.
Your numbers
Change any fieldMore assumptions: exchange rate, marketplace fees, tariff, packing, returns
| Where the US price goes | US$ | ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| US shelf price, free shipping | ||
| Less: marketplace fees | ||
| Less: courier, India to US | ||
| Less: US duty (base + Section 301) | ||
| Less: gift packing + story card | ||
| Less: returns and breakage reserve | ||
| Total costs before the product | ||
| Left for product + profit | ||
| Less: your target margin | ||
| Your product-cost ceiling |
per unit at your margin target
The one-third rule
Your supplier quote
- Raise the price: bundle two items, or add the story card and gift packing.
- Cut the shipping: climb the Export Ladder.
- Change the product: rescore it in Step 01.
Check your compliance lane
A planning shortcut, not a legal classification. The ten-minute test is the same for every product: who regulates it, what the label must say, and which certificate proves it. If you cannot answer all three in ten minutes, treat it as a 2027 product.
Ship this season
No product-specific US rules beyond the basics: a clear "Made in India" origin marking, a correct HS code and a genuine invoice value. Textiles need the FTC label (fibre content, care, origin).
- Table linen, runners, napkins, scarves
- Clay and brass diyas, torans, lanterns
- Metal, stone and ceramic decor
- Jewellery without restricted materials
Ship once the paperwork is in hand
One extra declaration, label or warning you can obtain in days, not months.
- Bamboo, cane and wood goods: the plant declaration under the Lacey Act and USDA-APHIS rules
- Products that need a California Prop 65 warning
- Cosmetics and skincare: FDA cosmetic labelling. Any health claim moves it to red
A 2027 plan unless already certified
Testing, certification or registration must exist before the goods can enter.
- Children's products, toys and craft kits: third-party testing, a Children's Product Certificate, a tracking label and CPSC eFiling
- Food, sweets, spices and snacks: FDA facility registration and prior notice
- Anything marketed with a health claim
Ship
Plan backwards from the doorstep
Count back from the day the buyer must have it. Transit days are planning assumptions for peak season, not carrier promises: ask your courier for current cut-offs.
Your ship-by date
Put the cut-off on your first listing photo: "Order by for delivery". Custom items (names, initials) are usually final sale: add their extra 2 to 4 days to the pack-done date.
| Festival | Date | Lane | Doorstep by | Leave India by | Order cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diwali | Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Express courier | Tue 3 Nov | Sun 25 Oct | Fri 23 Oct |
| Black Friday | Fri 27 Nov 2026 | Bulk air to US 3PL | Wed 18 Nov (on the shelf) | Fri 6 Nov | Wed 4 Nov |
| Christmas | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Express courier | Fri 18 Dec | Wed 9 Dec | Mon 7 Dec |
| Valentine's Day | Sun 14 Feb 2027 | Express courier | Fri 5 Feb | Wed 27 Jan | Mon 25 Jan |
Festival dates, 2026–27: what you can still reach from 1 October
| Festival | Date | Who buys | What sells | From 1 October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navratri and Dussehra | 11 to 20 Oct | Diaspora | Chaniya choli, dandiya, puja items | Too late for new stock: plan 2027 |
| Karwa Chauth | 29 Oct | Diaspora women | Thali sets, sargi boxes, bangles, sarees | Ready stock and express air only |
| Diwali (Dhanteras 6 Nov) | 8 Nov | Diaspora, offices, curious locals | Diyas, lanterns, torans, hampers, ethnic wear | Tight: ship by about 25 Oct |
| Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday | 26, 27, 30 Nov | Mainstream US | Table linen, decor, kitchen, deal-led gifts | Realistic main target |
| Hanukkah and Christmas | 4 to 12 Dec; 25 Dec | Everyone | Gifts, ornaments, scarves, jewellery, candles | Best window for new sellers |
| Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti | 13 to 15 Jan 2027 | Diaspora | Festive wear, kites, food gifts | Plan now |
| Valentine's Day and Holi | 14 Feb; about 23 Mar 2027 | Mainstream; diaspora | Jewellery, gifts; colours, white kurtas | Plan now |
Festival dates drift every year. Diwali: 20 Oct 2025, 8 Nov 2026, 29 Oct 2027. Keep a three-year calendar and order samples six months ahead, not six weeks. Hindu festival dates can differ by a day with the panchang; Holi 2027 is listed as 22 or 23 March by different sources.
Climb the Export Ladder
The same $79 linen set, three ways to get it to the buyer. Each rung cuts the landed cost, and each rung adds structure you must earn. Climb only when one product has sold twice on the rung below. Stock is a bet; reorders are evidence.
Courier per parcel
- Breakdown
- Freight $17.71 · duty $10.80 on a $60 declared value
- Delivery
- Door to door, about 9 days in peak
- What you need
- A courier account, an HS code and a DDP setting
Bulk air + US 3PL
- Breakdown
- Freight $7.20 · duty $5.40 on a $30 bulk invoice · pick and pack $3 · last mile $6
- Delivery
- 2 to 5 days once the stock is at the 3PL
- What you need
- A US importer of record, a customs broker and a 3PL
- Climb when
- One hero sells 100+ units a month and has reordered twice
Bulk at 500+ units, own US entity
- Breakdown
- Freight $4.80 · duty $5.40 · pick and pack $2.50 · last mile $6
- Delivery
- 2 to 5 days once the stock is at the 3PL
- What you need
- A US company, sales-tax registration, transfer pricing and a returns process
- Climb when
- Volume justifies the overhead. Take structuring advice first
Cost to land one $79 order, by rung
Landed cost as a share of the $79 price: 36% on Rung 1, 27% on Rung 2, 24% on Rung 3. Teaching model with the assumptions shown; it is not a quote.
Get paid and sell
Bring the money home within nine months
The new FEMA export regulations apply from 1 October 2026. This is the rule that catches marketplace sellers, because payouts bundle many orders while the deadline belongs to each shipment.
| Type of export | Time to realise | The clock starts on |
|---|---|---|
| Goods | 9 months | The date of shipment |
| Goods sent to an overseas warehouse | 9 months | The date the goods are sold from the warehouse |
| Services | 9 months | The date of the invoice |
| Rupee-invoiced or rupee-settled exports | 12 months | The same start dates as above |
Realisation due date
- Track by shipment, not by payout. Reconcile each payout back to the shipments inside it.
- Keep proof together for each shipment: invoice, shipping bill, courier proof, and the bank advice (e-BRC, FIRC or bank credit advice).
- Ask your bank three questions: how it closes small-value entries, how to request an extension, and how it treats marketplace or payment-aggregator receipts.
Six more points that matter to an e-commerce exporter, and the tracker columns
- Extensions. Your authorised dealer (AD) bank can grant an extension if you ask and give satisfactory reasons. Ask early, not at the deadline.
- Small-value closure. For exports of up to ₹10 lakh (or the foreign-currency equivalent), the bank can close the entry in the export monitoring system (EDPMS) on your declaration that payment has been realised. Quarterly bulk closure is allowed.
- Set-off. An AD bank may allow export receivables to be set off against import payables with the same overseas party, or its group companies, within the allowed period.
- Third-party receipts. Payment from someone other than the named buyer can be allowed if the bank is satisfied the transaction is genuine. Talk to the bank before you accept it.
- Services and software. Service exporters file an Export Declaration Form (EDF) within 30 days of the end of the month in which the invoice is raised. Software exporters move from SOFTEX reporting to the EDF framework.
- Old matters. A new Regulation 20 lets AD banks handle certain pre-1 October 2026 export, import and merchanting transactions that previously needed RBI approval. Exporters on the RBI's Caution List on 30 September 2026 stay under the earlier orders until removed.
Realisation tracker: copy these columns into a spreadsheet
| Shipment date | Invoice / AWB | Buyer or marketplace | Amount | Due date | Received on | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct 2026 | [AWB] | [Marketplace] | $79.00 | 10 Jul 2027 |
RelatedFEMA and RBI rules for Indians owning a US company · cross border banking
Find your first US buyers, then earn ten genuine reviews
The Hero Card plan is 20 outreach messages in Week 3 (15 to 21 October) and ten genuine reviews by 25 November.
| Segment | Messages | Where to find them |
|---|---|---|
| Boutiques and gift shops | 6 | Faire and trade directories; Etsy shops that stock similar lines |
| Corporate HR and employee networks | 4 | LinkedIn: South Asian employee resource groups at large employers |
| Community group admins | 4 | City Facebook and WhatsApp groups; temple and cultural associations |
| Indian grocery and ethnic stores | 3 | Regional desi chains and local shops in the desi-dense suburbs |
| Wedding planners and decor houses | 3 | Instagram and wedding directories; November to February is peak |
- One ask per message. Offer two samples, not a catalogue.
- Lead with something useful. For community groups, a decor idea or a short guide, not a price list. Ask the admin first.
- Numbers in the first three lines. Wholesale price, minimum order, leave-India date, arrival date, and that the price is DDP.
- Follow up once, on day 4. A second message is service; a fifth is spam.
- Be exact about what you can prove. Never say "certified", "organic" or "safe for children" without the paperwork.
Subject: Hand block-printed table linen from Jaipur: samples on us Hi [Name], I run [Brand]. Our hand block-printed linen sets are made by [workshop] in Jaipur and would suit [Store name]'s [Thanksgiving / holiday] table shelf. They wholesale at $[ ] (retail $[ ]) with a minimum of [ ] sets, and can leave India by [date] to reach you before [date]. The price includes shipping and US duty. May I send you two samples? A one-page price list is here: [link]. Thank you, [Your name], [Brand], [website] — Day 4 follow-up (no reply yet) — Hi [Name], following up on my note about our block-printed linen. Shall I send the two samples? If you are not the right person, I would be grateful if you could point me to your buyer.
Nine more templates, the one-page price-list layout and the outreach tracker are in the B2B Outreach Templates download.
| Level | What goes in the box | Cards from the pack | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Clean | Recycled mailer, tissue, a sticker | Thank-you card | ₹20 to 40 |
| 2 Gift-ready | Rigid kraft box, ribbon, care card, story card | Thank-you, care, story, gift tag, review-ask | ₹80 to 150 |
| 3 Occasion | Festival sleeve, handwritten note, a small non-food extra such as a tealight | All of level 2, plus the festive greeting card | ₹150 to 300 |
| 4 Keepsake | Cane or wood keepsake box and a certificate of authenticity | All cards, plus the refill card for your habit product | ₹300 and above |
No review request yet
Thank them, say who packed it and when, give tracking and the delivery estimate, and say duty is paid so there are no customs charges at delivery.
Send to every buyer
"Is everything as you hoped? If anything is not right, message us first and we will make it right."
Plus the card in the box
"An honest review helps other buyers and a small maker in [place]." Include the review link.
Where the platform allows
On the card in the box, to your own email list with consent, or on your own website.
What does an importer of record do, and when do I need one?
The importer of record is the person or company legally responsible for the import: duty, certificates and filings. You need one as soon as you move stock to a US warehouse (Rung 2). It can be you, your US entity or a partner. Comply Globally provides importer of record services so you can hold stock in the US before you form a company.
Are you ready for the next rung?
Thirty minutes, eight sections. A single open gate matters more than a high total.
Tick Yes only if it is done and you could show the paper, Partly if it is under way, No if not started, N/A only if it truly does not apply. Yes is 2 points, Partly 1, No 0. Items marked ★ are gates: until each one is Yes, do not move stock or money to the US. Your answers are saved in this browser only.
The bands are a guide to where to focus, not a pass mark. This is a readiness check, not advice: rules differ by product, by state and by your own facts, and they change. Confirm each point with your CA, a US CPA, a licensed customs broker and your authorised dealer bank.
Your next 30 days, week by week
Six boxes to fill tonight, then four weeks of work. Dates follow the planning figures above; adjust them to your product, courier and lane.
- 01Week 1 · 1 to 7 OctChoose and priceScore three products, pick the hero, price backwards, order samples and packaging.
- 02Week 2 · 8 to 14 OctPrepare the listingCheck your compliance lane, shoot photos, rebuild the listing, set DDP shipping. IHGF Delhi runs 13 to 17 Oct.
- 03Week 3 · 15 to 21 OctGo live and reach outGo live by 20 Oct. Send 20 outreach messages. Post in communities, with permission.
- 04Week 4 · 22 to 28 OctShip DiwaliShip Diwali orders by 25 Oct. Lock Black Friday stock. Prepare the 9 Nov relabel.
- 05Then · Nov to DecHit each date1 Nov production done · 6 Nov bulk air out · 9 Nov relabel · 27 Nov Black Friday · 7 Dec last Christmas order.
The Festive Hero Kit: five free files
Everything on this page, in the formats you will use at your desk. Fill the short form once and all five files unlock.
Festive Hero Kit Workbook
Scorecard for three products, Price Backwards, Product Check for six products, Export Ladder with chart, Ship-by Calendar and Hero Card.
Unlocks with the formB2B Outreach Templates
Ten messages by buyer type, the 20-message week, a one-page wholesale price-list layout, ten subject lines and a tracker.
Unlocks with the formUnbox and Review Card Pack
Seven printable A6 cards and tags: maker story, gift tag, care and origin, thank-you, review-ask, refill and festive greeting.
Unlocks with the form2026 Rule-Change Explainer
The five changes in detail, the new FEMA export rules, a realisation tracker, a plain-words glossary and the source list.
Unlocks with the form62-Point Readiness Checklist
The printable version of the checklist above, with section scores, the nine gates and space for your three next moves.
Unlocks with the formThank you. Your five files are ready.
Use the download button under each file. They stay unlocked on this device.
Book the optional 15-minute call- Open the workbook and score three products on the Hero Scorecard tab.
- Price the winner backwards with your own courier quote and duty rate.
- Run the 62-point checklist and note your band and open gates.
Hero Hot-Seat: a written review of your hero product
First 25 entries, open until 8 October 2026. Send your hero product, target price and festival, and the team will reply with a short written review.
Enter the Hot-Seat by emailItems 1 to 3 of the kit were covered live in the webinar. If you attended and did not receive them, write to sales@complyglobally.com.
One partner for the rungs that need structure
Rung 1 you can do yourself with a courier account and this page. Rungs 2 and 3 bring paperwork in two countries, and we handle both sides from one point of contact.
EXIM services
Export planning, preparation and shipment, tariff and duty optimisation, HS classification.
EXIM servicesImporter of Record
A legally responsible importer in the US for duty, certificates and filings, before you form your own company.
IOR, AOR and EORCustoms clearance and brokerage
Entry filing, documentation and freight coordination for bulk air shipments.
Customs and logistics3PL warehousing
Storage, pick, pack and ship, marketplace integration and returns handling in the US.
3PL warehouseUS company formation
Wyoming LLC from ₹35,000 and Delaware C-Corp from ₹45,000 (government fees extra), with EIN, registered agent and Form 5472 compliance.
Start a business in the USA from IndiaBanking, FEMA and ODI
US business bank account opening, and the India-side ODI, APR and FLA filings that follow a US entity.
Cross border bankingSpeed of Action
Response within 4 hours; same-day formation where the state allows.
Accuracy & Competence
Both sides of the border covered: US filings and Indian FEMA, RBI and DTAA.
Ease of Doing Business
Single Point of Management: one contact for the US and India.
Cost Competitiveness
Published rupee pricing. 30 to 40% lower than Big 4 firms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a US company to sell to US buyers from India?
What does DDP mean, and why does every seller need it now?
How do I find the US duty on my product?
What is the FEMA nine-month rule?
Can I ship Diwali sweets, spices or snacks to the US this season?
Can I sell a children's Diwali craft kit?
When must my parcel leave India for Diwali, Black Friday and Christmas?
What does an importer of record do, and when do I need one?
How much does it cost to form a US company through Comply Globally?
Is this page legal, tax or customs advice?
Not sure which rung you are on? Bring your checklist score.
Tell us your hero product, your scorecard total and your checklist band, and we will tell you honestly whether you need an importer of record, a US company, or just a better courier account this season.
Where every rule on this page comes from
- CBIC
- US Customs and Border Protection
- CPSC eFiling
- USTR Section 301
- Press Information Bureau
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule
- Reserve Bank of India
- DGFT
- FTC reviews rule
- FTC textile labelling
- CAN-SPAM guide
- IRS Form W-8BEN-E
- California Prop 65
Checked 1 October 2026. The workbook, calculators and ladder are teaching models. Every figure except the marketplace fee structure is an illustration: the courier quote, the 8% base duty, the packing cost, the 3% reserve and the transit days. Replace them with your own quotes. This page is general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Confirm each point for your product with your CA, customs broker or authorised dealer bank.