01Begin with what you can supply reliably
Your first export should be something you already make, grow or source well, at a steady quality, in the quantity a buyer will order again. A product you know beats a ‘trending’ product you cannot control.
02Find the HS code and check the export policy
Every product has an HS code. Look it up in the ITC(HS) export schedule on the DGFT site: it shows whether export is free, restricted, prohibited or allowed only with conditions (for example registration with APEDA or a minimum export price).
03Check demand with official data
Use the Department of Commerce trade data and the Indian Trade Portal to see which countries already import your HS code from India, and the duty they charge. A market that already buys from India is easier than one that does not.
04Check the buyer country's rules
Food, cosmetics, medicines, toys and electrical goods face strict rules abroad — residue limits, labelling, registration or certification. Read them before you quote, because meeting them can cost more than the margin.
- Good first picks: products your district is already known for, with simple rules and steady demand.
- Hard first picks: fresh produce to the EU/US, medicines, anything needing a factory approval abroad.