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How to Export Sarees from India in 2026: Registrations, HSN Codes, GST LUT, Shipping and Payments
Indian sarees sell to boutiques, resellers and the Indian diaspora in the USA, UK, Canada, the UAE, Australia, Singapore and beyond. Exporting them is simpler than most people expect, but you need the right registrations before your first shipment, the correct HSN code on every invoice, and a shipping method that fits your order size. This guide walks through each step for 2026, including the April 2026 change that removed the value limit on courier exports.
This is a practical guide, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm details with your CA and customs broker before shipping.
Step 1: choose your export model
| Model | How it works | Best shipping method |
|---|---|---|
| B2B to boutiques abroad | You sell in lots to shops and resellers overseas | Courier for small lots, air or sea cargo for large ones |
| B2C online | You sell single pieces through your website or global marketplaces | Courier or India Post |
| Diaspora reselling | You supply resellers who sell through WhatsApp and Instagram in their communities | Courier in consolidated parcels |
| Exhibitions and pop-ups | You take stock to cultural events and fairs abroad | Air cargo or courier |
Most new exporters start with B2B or diaspora reselling, because orders are larger and returns are fewer.
Step 2: one-time registrations
| Registration | Where | Cost and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Importer Exporter Code (IEC) | DGFT website, linked to your PAN | ₹500. Update your IEC details every year between April and June, or it can be deactivated. |
| GST registration | GST portal | Free. Needed to file the LUT and claim refunds. |
| Letter of Undertaking (LUT) | GST portal (form RFD-11) | Free. Lets you export without paying IGST. Valid for one financial year; renew every year before 31 March. |
| AD code registration | Your bank, registered on ICEGATE for each port you ship from | Bank charges vary. Customs will not clear cargo without it. |
| RCMC | The relevant export promotion council | Membership fees vary by council. Needed to claim export benefits. |
Which export promotion council?
- Silk sarees: Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC)
- Handloom sarees such as handwoven Kota Doria or handloom cotton: Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC)
- Power-loom cotton and blended fabrics: Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL)
- Synthetic and viscose sarees, typical of Surat: Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC)
Step 3: HSN codes for sarees
The HSN code depends on what the saree is made of, not on what it is called. Use the main fibre by weight.
| Saree type | HSN heading | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Silk sarees | 5007 | Pure silk Banarasi, tussar silk |
| Cotton sarees | 5208–5212 | 5208 59 20 for handloom cotton sarees |
| Linen sarees | 5309 | Pure linen sarees |
| Synthetic filament sarees | 5407 | Polyester georgette, chiffon, crepe |
| Artificial filament sarees | 5408 | Viscose and art silk |
| Embroidered fabric | 5810 | Heavily embroidered pieces |
Find the right code for your products with our free saree HSN and GST helper, then confirm the full 8-digit code once with your customs broker. Read our GST on sarees guide for domestic rates: 5% on unstitched sarees and dress material since September 2025.
Step 4: price for export
Your export price must cover more than the saree. Build it up line by line:
- Landed cost of the saree in India
- Export packing (sleeves, cartons, labels)
- Freight to the destination and insurance
- Customs broker or courier clearance fees
- Payment and bank charges, and currency movement
- Your margin
Agree the price basis in writing. FOB means the buyer pays freight from the Indian port; CIF means you include freight and insurance to their port; DDP means you also pay their import duty and taxes, which is common in B2C. Import duties and taxes differ by country and have changed several times recently, especially for the United States, so check the current rate before you quote.
Step 5: choose a shipping method
| Method | Best for | Speed | Cost per kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express courier | Samples, small B2B lots and B2C orders | Fastest | Highest |
| India Post (Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra) | Small parcels from small exporters | Slower | Low |
| Air cargo | Larger, urgent B2B orders | Fast | Medium |
| Sea freight (LCL or FCL) | Large, planned orders | Slowest | Lowest |
Step 6: documents for every shipment
- Commercial invoice with HSN codes, fibre content, quantity, value and price basis (FOB, CIF or DDP), marked as supplied under LUT without payment of IGST.
- Packing list showing what is in each carton.
- Shipping bill, or a courier shipping bill when you ship by courier.
- E-way bill for moving goods worth over ₹50,000 within India to the port or airport.
- Certificate of origin if your buyer is in a country with a trade agreement with India, such as the UAE, Australia, Japan or South Korea. It can lower their import duty, so raise it while negotiating.
- Airway bill or bill of lading, issued by the carrier.
Export incentives such as RoDTEP have to be claimed on the shipping bill at the time of export; you cannot add them later.
Step 7: get paid and close the file
- For new buyers, ask for full or part payment in advance by bank transfer (SWIFT) or an export-enabled payment gateway.
- Once the payment reaches your bank, it issues an e-BRC (electronic bank realisation certificate), which closes the export record and supports refund claims.
- Make sure payment arrives within the time allowed under RBI rules, and keep every document together for each shipment.
Step 8: packing and labelling rules
- Fibre labels: the USA (Textile Fiber Products Identification Act) and the EU (Textile Regulation 1007/2011) require fibre content labelling, and the USA also requires country-of-origin labelling. Label each saree accurately, for example 100% cotton or 70% polyester, 30% viscose.
- Protective packing: fold each saree in a clear sleeve, add silica gel for sea freight, and use strong cartons with corner protection.
- Colour fastness: test a sample of each lot, especially dark and bright dyes, before shipping to customers who will wash at home.
- Carton marking: number each carton to match the packing list.
Step 9: source export-ready sarees
Export buyers expect every piece in a lot to match the sample. When you source:
- Ask for consistent lots, with the same dye batch for repeat colours.
- Order samples first and approve them with your overseas buyer.
- Insist on GST invoices, which you need to claim refunds of the GST paid on your purchases.
- Check fibre content so your labels and HSN codes are correct.
One of our buyers, a cotton saree exporter, wrote after ordering pure cotton saree sets: The set was well-curated with consistent quality across all pieces, which is very important for export orders.
We supply exporters and international buyers by quotation, with GST invoices on every order. Popular export ranges include Kota Doria, Banarasi silk blends, linen, cotton and dress material. Send your products, quantities and destination through our request for quotation page.
What it costs to start exporting sarees
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| IEC | ₹500 |
| GST registration and LUT | Free (CA fees extra) |
| RCMC membership | Varies by export promotion council |
| Customs broker per cargo shipment | Varies by port and shipment |
| Courier freight | Varies by weight and destination |
| Samples for your buyer | 1–5 pieces at sample prices |
Export orders, quoted for you
Tell us the sarees or dress material you need, the quantity and the destination country. We reply with prices and timelines, with GST invoices for your refund claims.
Request an export quote Check HSN codesFrequently asked questions
What registrations do I need to export sarees from India?
You need an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT, GST registration, a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) filed on the GST portal to export without paying IGST, and an AD code from your bank registered at your port. An RCMC from the relevant export promotion council is needed to claim export benefits.
How much does an IEC cost?
The IEC application fee is ₹500 on the DGFT website. IEC details must be updated every year between April and June, or the IEC can be deactivated.
Is GST charged on saree exports?
Exports are zero-rated. If you file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) on the GST portal, you export without paying IGST and can claim a refund of the GST paid on your purchases. The LUT is free and must be renewed every financial year.
What is the HSN code for sarees for export?
It depends on the fibre. Silk sarees generally fall under heading 5007, cotton sarees under 5208 to 5212 (for example 5208 59 20 for handloom cotton sarees), linen under 5309, synthetic filament fabrics such as polyester georgette under 5407, artificial filament such as viscose under 5408, and embroidered fabric under 5810. Confirm the 8-digit code with your customs broker.
Is there a value limit for exporting sarees by courier?
Not any more. The limit of ₹10 lakh per consignment for courier exports was removed by DGFT with effect from 1 April 2026, so higher-value consignments can also be exported by courier.
Which export promotion council should a saree exporter join?
It depends on the product: the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council for silk sarees, the Handloom Export Promotion Council for handloom sarees, PDEXCIL for power-loom cotton and blended fabrics, and the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council for synthetic and viscose sarees.
Can I export sarees through India Post?
Yes. India Post's Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras help small exporters book and clear export parcels at post offices, which can be cheaper than express courier for small shipments, although usually slower.
Which documents are needed for each saree export shipment?
A commercial invoice, a packing list and a shipping bill or courier shipping bill. An e-way bill is generally needed for moving goods worth over ₹50,000 within India, and a certificate of origin helps buyers in trade-agreement countries such as the UAE, Australia, Japan and South Korea pay lower import duty.
Do you supply sarees to exporters?
Yes. Wholesale Trend In Need supplies exporters and international buyers by quotation, with GST invoices that support export refund claims. Send a request for quotation with the products, quantities and destination country.
Related guides
- Saree HSN code and GST helper (free tool)
- Surat saree wholesale market guide
- Rajasthani suits wholesale guide
- How much it costs to open a saree shop
Sources: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (dgft.gov.in), GST portal (gst.gov.in), ICEGATE (icegate.gov.in), Ministry of Textiles list of export promotion councils, and reporting on the removal of the courier export value cap from 1 April 2026 (Inc42).