A typical imitation jewellery export from India needs a commercial invoice, a packing list, an export declaration (the shipping bill, or the courier's equivalent), and an air waybill or bill of lading. Depending on your market and your customer, you may also need a certificate of origin, test reports and a certificate of conformity.
The exporter in India must hold an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and be registered for GST. Ask for both numbers before you place an order.
Core documents
- Commercial invoice: seller, buyer, description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, currency and Incoterm.
- Packing list: cartons, contents by style, quantities, gross and net weights and dimensions.
- Shipping bill: the export declaration filed with Indian customs, either by a customs broker or by the courier.
- Air waybill or bill of lading: the transport document from the airline, courier or shipping line.
Documents that depend on the market
- Certificate of origin. A preferential certificate can lower duty where India has a trade agreement with your country, such as its agreements with the UAE and Australia.
- Lab test reports for nickel, lead and cadmium, which importers and marketplaces often ask for.
- A certificate of conformity, such as a CPC or GCC in the US, which the importer usually issues.
- Insurance certificate, if the seller arranges insurance under CIF or CIP terms.
Common mistakes
The invoice, packing list and carton marks must agree on every number. A vague description such as "fashion items" can lead to a customs query; describe the goods as imitation jewellery and state the main material. Under-declaring value to save duty is illegal and can lead to seizure and penalties.
Check the HS code with your customs broker at destination, because the right code sets your duty rate and any extra rules.
Who prepares what
The Indian maker or exporter prepares the invoice and packing list and files the shipping bill through a broker or courier. The airline or forwarder issues the transport document. Test reports come from the lab. Your broker at destination files the import entry. See payment terms for imitation jewellery orders for how documents link to payment.
Ask for draft documents before the goods are packed. A wrong buyer name, a missing HS code or a quantity that does not match the packing list is easy to fix on a draft and slow to fix once the shipment is at the airport. Keep a template invoice that every maker uses, so descriptions stay the same across orders.
What this means for a buyer
Review drafts of the invoice and packing list before goods leave the workshop. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We check export documents with Rajkot makers, have samples tested at NABL-accredited labs and supervise packing. Start with a free sourcing review.