A typical edible oil shipment from India needs a commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading, certificate of origin and certificate of analysis. The exporter also needs an IEC, an FSSAI licence and the relevant export registration.
Your own country decides what else you need at import. Ask your customs broker for their list before the oil is loaded, not after.
Exporter registrations
- IEC (Importer Exporter Code) from DGFT.
- FSSAI licence for manufacturing, refining or packing edible oil. See what FSSAI is and whether it matters for export.
- RCMC from the relevant export promotion council or authority, depending on the product.
- A check that the oil is currently free to export under DGFT's export policy for its HS code.
The core shipping documents
- Commercial invoice showing product, grade, HS code, quantity, price basis and Incoterm.
- Packing list with the number of tins, bottles, drums or flexitanks, and net and gross weights.
- Shipping bill filed with Indian customs.
- Bill of lading, or sea waybill, issued by the shipping line.
- Certificate of origin. A preferential certificate may cut your import duty if your country has a trade agreement with India.
- Certificate of analysis for the batch, ideally backed by an independent lab report.
- Insurance certificate, if the seller arranges insurance under CIF terms.
Documents your market may require
Requirements change, so confirm the current list with your broker and, where relevant, with your national food authority.
- US: the exporter's food facility must be registered with the FDA, and prior notice must be filed before the oil arrives.
- EU and UK: the oil must meet contaminant limits and labelling rules. For bulk oil, your buyer may ask for previous cargo records for the tank or ship.
- Gulf and other markets: some require health certificates, Halal certificates, or registration of the product and label before import.
- Health certificates: for some products and markets, these are issued by Indian authorities such as the Export Inspection Council.
- Halal or Kosher certificates, if your customers require them.
- Flexitank or ISO tank documents: a flexitank certificate, a tank cleaning certificate and the list of previous cargoes.
Checking the pack before shipment
Errors in documents cause more delays than errors in the oil. The product name, weights, batch numbers and HS code must match across every document and the labels. Ask for drafts of the invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading before the vessel sails. Our article on the document pack your broker will ask for lists the common gaps.
If you plan to sell the oil under your own brand, the label must also meet your market's rules. See labelling rules for imported edible oils.
How we help
We confirm the exporter's IEC, FSSAI licence and registrations before you order, and check every draft document against the contract and labels before shipment. If something is missing, we get it fixed while the oil is still at the plant. Ask for a free sourcing review.