A chemical export from India needs a core set of commercial and customs documents, plus chemical-specific ones. The core set is the commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading, certificate of analysis and safety data sheet.
Dangerous goods add a DG declaration and packing certificate. Some products also need a certificate of origin, an export authorisation, or registration documents for your market.
Documents the exporter prepares in India
- The commercial invoice, showing seller, buyer, product description, HS code, quantity, value and Incoterm.
- The packing list, showing package type, number, net and gross weights, and batch numbers.
- The shipping bill, the export declaration filed with Indian customs through the electronic system. Goods leave only after customs grants permission for export.
- The exporter's Importer Exporter Code (IEC), issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which must appear on the shipping bill.
- Any export authorisation the product needs, for example under India's SCOMET controls, covered in sanctions and dual-use controls.
Shipping documents
- The bill of lading or sea waybill, issued by the carrier or forwarder.
- For DG cargo, the dangerous goods declaration and container packing certificate, explained in what a DG declaration is.
- For non-DG chemicals, a signed non-DG statement with the SDS, if the line asks for it.
- An insurance certificate, where the seller arranges cover under CIF or CIP.
Quality and regulatory documents
- A certificate of analysis for each batch, matching the batch numbers on the packing list.
- A safety data sheet in the format and language your market requires.
- A certificate of origin, either non-preferential or preferential if you claim a lower duty under a trade agreement.
- Inspection or survey certificates, where your contract or your bank requires them.
- Regulatory evidence for your market, such as REACH registration numbers or TSCA information.
Getting the set right
Most delays come from documents that disagree with each other. Product names, batch numbers, weights and HS codes should be identical on the invoice, packing list, COA, SDS and bill of lading. If you pay by letter of credit, the bank will reject documents with small differences.
Ask the supplier for drafts before shipment and check them side by side. Your customs broker will want the same set at destination, as listed in the document pack your broker will ask for. Confirm market-specific requirements with your broker.
Send scanned copies to your broker before the vessel arrives, so any gap can be fixed while the goods are still at sea. Originals needed for a letter of credit or a preferential origin claim should travel by courier in good time.
Next step
We check every document in the pack against the goods and against each other before the container sails. To start, book a free sourcing review.