To export intermediates from India you need the standard trade documents plus chemical-specific ones. The core set is a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet and, where you claim a lower duty, a certificate of origin.
Hazardous intermediates add dangerous goods documents. Your own country may add import permits or chemical registration evidence.
The core documents
Ask the supplier to provide these for every shipment:
- A commercial invoice showing the product name, HS code, quantity, value, Incoterm and both parties.
- A packing list showing the number and type of packages, batch numbers and net and gross weights.
- A bill of lading, or a sea waybill, issued by the shipping line or forwarder.
- A certificate of analysis for each batch, with results against your agreed specification.
- A safety data sheet in the format and language your market requires.
- A certificate of origin, where you need it to claim a preferential duty rate.
On the Indian side, the exporter or its customs broker files a shipping bill with Indian customs. You do not file it, but the description and HS code on it should match your invoice.
Keep the product name the same on every document. A chemical shown by a trade name on one paper and its chemical name on another is a common cause of customs queries.
Extra documents for hazardous cargo
If the intermediate is classed as dangerous goods, the shipper must provide a dangerous goods declaration and a container packing certificate. The packages must be UN-approved and carry the right labels. See whether intermediates are hazardous cargo.
If the product is not regulated, shipping lines often ask for a non-DG declaration based on the SDS.
Documents your market may need
Import rules for chemicals differ by country. These are common extra requirements, and you should confirm each with your customs broker and regulator:
- Evidence of chemical registration or inventory listing, such as REACH in the EU or TSCA in the US, which is usually the importer's responsibility.
- A TSCA certification statement for chemical imports into the US.
- Import licences or permits for controlled substances or precursors.
- Labels in the local language that meet local hazard labelling rules.
Our guides to documents needed to export chemicals from India and the document pack your broker will ask for go into each document in more detail.
Next step
Document errors cause most customs delays. We check the full document set against your order and your market before the goods ship. To start, book a free sourcing review.