EXPORT READINESS CHECKLIST

Complete Pre-Export Assessment for EU Market Entry

Exporter Name: _____________________________________________

Product / Sector: _____________________________________________

Target EU Market: _____________________________________________

Assessment Date: _____________________________________________

Assessed by: _____________________________________________

This checklist assesses an Indian exporter's readiness to export to the EU market across nine dimensions: registrations and compliance, product compliance, documentation, quality and standards, trade finance, logistics, commercial readiness, regulatory intelligence, and team capability. Complete all sections before approaching EU buyers or trade facilitators.

SECTION A — REGISTRATIONS AND LEGAL STANDING

SECTION B — PRODUCT COMPLIANCE AND CERTIFICATION

Complete this section for each product intended for EU export.

SECTION C — DOCUMENTATION CAPABILITY

SECTION D — QUALITY AND STANDARDS

SECTION E — TRADE FINANCE AND PAYMENT READINESS

SECTION F — LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN

SECTION G — COMMERCIAL READINESS

SECTION H — REGULATORY INTELLIGENCE

SECTION I — TEAM AND CAPABILITY

READINESS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

OVERALL READINESS VERDICT:

[ ] Ready to approach EU buyers — all critical sections complete.

[ ] Conditionally ready — approach buyers subject to completing actions in Sections: _____________

[ ] Not yet ready — complete the following priority actions before approaching EU buyers: _____________

Assessed by: _____________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________________

Doc 74 — Indian Exporter Export Readiness Checklist — Neutral Template

Item	Done	Notes
IEC (Importer Exporter Code) obtained from DGFT — current and active.	[ ]
GST registration (GSTIN) current — correct HSN code filed for export products.	[ ]
Letter of Undertaking (LUT) filed on GSTN portal for current financial year — enabling zero-rated export without IGST payment.	[ ]
AD Code registered at the port(s) of export — mandatory for Shipping Bill filing and FIRC issuance.	[ ]
RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) obtained from the relevant Export Promotion Council (EEPC, APEDA, PHARMEXCIL, MPEDA, etc.).	[ ]
Company registered and in good legal standing — no pending insolvency, tax demand, or customs penalty.	[ ]
MSME registration (Udyam) obtained where applicable — unlocks priority sector credit and government scheme eligibility.	[ ]
Bank account with Authorised Dealer (AD) bank established — required for receipt of export proceeds and FEMA compliance.	[ ]
DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) for ICEGATE and DGFT portal access.	[ ]
IEC linked to ICEGATE for Shipping Bill filing.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
HS code (8-digit EU CN code) confirmed on EU TARIC — correct MFN duty rate and applicable measures verified.	[ ]
GSP / REX: Product verified as eligible for EU GSP preference. REX registration obtained from DGFT.	[ ]
Product satisfies applicable Rules of Origin for GSP (or India-EU FTA once in force) — origin analysis documented.	[ ]
CE marking: Confirmed whether product requires CE marking under any EU harmonisation Directive. If yes, CE marking obtained.	[ ]
EU food safety (FSSAI / MRL): For food products — MRL compliance verified. Pre-shipment test reports from NABL/ISO 17025 accredited laboratory obtained.	[ ]
Phytosanitary certificate: For plant products — Plant Quarantine Station registration completed. PQIMS application process understood.	[ ]
REACH compliance: For chemicals and articles — SVHC check completed. REACH compliance declaration prepared.	[ ]
RoHS compliance: For electrical/electronic equipment — RoHS declaration prepared.	[ ]
GPSR: For consumer goods — EU Responsible Person appointed (from August 2024).	[ ]
Organic certification: For organic products — EU-recognised Indian certification body engaged.	[ ]
GI certification: For GI-protected products — GI certificate from relevant body (Tea Board, Spices Board, GI Registry) obtained.	[ ]
CITES permit: For wildlife and controlled species — export permit obtained if applicable.	[ ]
SCOMET: Confirmed that product is not on SCOMET control list (or SCOMET licence obtained if controlled).	[ ]
Anti-dumping: Confirmed no EU ADD applies to the product from India on the applicable CN code.	[ ]
CBAM: For steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers — confirmed CBAM applicability and embedded emissions data collection initiated.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
Commercial invoice template prepared — all required fields included, EU buyer details verified.	[ ]
Packing list template prepared — weight, dimensions, marks, container/seal fields included.	[ ]
Shipping Bill filing capability — CHA appointed or in-house ICEGATE access established.	[ ]
Certificate of Origin capability — issuing body identified (Chamber, EIC, FIEO, or REX self-certification).	[ ]
REX Statement of Origin: Prescribed text included on invoice template.	[ ]
Phytosanitary / health certificate process understood — timeline built into shipment schedule.	[ ]
Test reports / CoA capability: Accredited laboratory engaged; turnaround time factored into pre-shipment schedule.	[ ]
TRACES NT pre-notification capability: Understood and EU buyer briefed on their filing obligation.	[ ]
VGM declaration: Process for weighing and filing VGM before vessel cut-off understood.	[ ]
LC document preparation capability: Team trained on LC discrepancy prevention (Doc 41 reviewed).	[ ]
Document archiving: 5-year retention policy for all export documents established.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
ISO 9001:2015 certification obtained or planned — required by most EU industrial buyers.	[ ]
Quality management system (QMS) implemented — process controls, inspection records, non-conformity management.	[ ]
Pre-shipment inspection capability: Relationship with accredited inspection agency (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or equivalent) established.	[ ]
Product specification document (technical data sheet) prepared in English — ready to share with EU buyers.	[ ]
Sample production capability: Can produce samples on 2–4 week lead time for buyer qualification.	[ ]
IATF 16949 (automotive): If supplying to automotive sector — IATF 16949 certification obtained or in progress.	[ ]
WHO-GMP (pharmaceuticals): If supplying pharma — WHO-GMP certificate current and facility on Eudra GMDP database.	[ ]
HACCP (food processing): If exporting food products — HACCP system implemented and certified.	[ ]
Ethical sourcing: No use of forced, child, or trafficked labour. Supplier code of conduct in place.	[ ]
Environmental management: ISO 14001 certification (increasingly required by EU ESG-focused buyers).	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
Pre-shipment finance: Packing credit or PCFC facility established with AD bank.	[ ]
LC capability: Team understands how to review and comply with LC terms. LC review checklist (Doc 40, 41) understood.	[ ]
ECGC: Standard Policy or Small Exporter Policy obtained — enables offering open account credit terms to EU buyers.	[ ]
Invoice discounting: Relationship with invoice discounting NBFC or bank facility established — for post-shipment working capital.	[ ]
Payment terms policy: Defined internal policy on acceptable payment terms (open account, LC, D/P, D/A) by buyer credit rating.	[ ]
Currency risk management: Hedging policy established for EUR/INR and USD/INR exposure. Forward contracts with AD bank if required.	[ ]
FEMA compliance: Export proceeds realisation procedure understood — 9-month rule, FIRC/eBRC process, AD bank liaison established.	[ ]
Bank charges: EU banking fees (LC confirmation, negotiation, reimbursement) factored into export pricing.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
Freight forwarder: Experienced India-EU freight forwarder appointed — with EU port agent for destination customs.	[ ]
Incoterms: Preferred Incoterms for EU export determined (FOB, CIF, DAP) and priced into quotations.	[ ]
Packaging: Export packaging meets ISPM-15 (wood packaging), carton compression strength for sea freight, and EU labelling requirements.	[ ]
Port of export: AD Code registered at chosen port. Container availability and booking lead times understood.	[ ]
Container type: FCL vs. LCL vs. reefer requirements confirmed for the product.	[ ]
Transit time: India-EU sea transit time (18–26 days) factored into lead time commitments to EU buyers.	[ ]
Cold chain: If applicable — pre-cooling, reefer booking, data logger, and temperature documentation processes established.	[ ]
Insurance: Cargo insurance policy established with reputable insurer — ICC(A) cover for EU shipments.	[ ]
Last-mile delivery (EU): EU customs agent / importer's logistics provider identified and briefed on documentation requirements.	[ ]
AEO certification: Indian AEO T1/T2 application initiated (if high-volume, repeat exporter) — for customs facilitation benefits.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
Export pricing: CIF or DAP landed cost calculation prepared — including production cost, freight, insurance, EU duty, and target margin.	[ ]
EU MFN duty: Confirmed duty rate factored into pricing. GSP/FTA preferential rate calculated.	[ ]
Competitor analysis: Competing origin countries' duty rates and landed costs understood for the target EU market.	[ ]
Minimum order quantities: MOQ established and communicated — aligned with EU buyer requirements.	[ ]
Lead time: Realistic production and shipping lead time communicated to EU buyers.	[ ]
Product catalogue and price list: Professional English-language product catalogue and price list prepared.	[ ]
Company profile: English-language company profile prepared covering: establishment date, certifications, production capacity, quality systems, key clients.	[ ]
Website: English-language website operational — product specifications, certifications, and contact details clearly accessible.	[ ]
EU trade fair participation: Plan for participation in relevant EU trade fairs (Anuga, Automechanika, MEDICA, etc.) to meet buyers directly.	[ ]
LinkedIn presence: Company LinkedIn page active — regular posts on product updates, certifications, and trade news.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
EU market access requirements researched for specific product and HS code on EU Access2Markets.	[ ]
RASFF history checked for product and supplier — no active enhanced border check regime affecting this product.	[ ]
Anti-dumping duty status confirmed on EU TARIC — no ADD applicable to this product from India.	[ ]
EU regulatory calendar monitored — upcoming Directives and Regulations that will affect the product in the next 12–24 months identified.	[ ]
India FTA pipeline understood — current status of India-EU FTA negotiations tracked.	[ ]
RoDTEP rate for product HSN code confirmed and factored into export economics.	[ ]
DGFT Export Policy for product confirmed — no export restriction, cap, or license requirement applies.	[ ]
SCOMET check completed — product confirmed as free from SCOMET control.	[ ]
FSSAI export certificate required: Confirmed whether destination country requires FSSAI export certificate for the product.	[ ]

Item	Done	Notes
Export manager: Dedicated export manager appointed with knowledge of EU trade requirements.	[ ]
CHA (Customs House Agent): Experienced CHA engaged for Shipping Bill filing.	[ ]
Legal adviser: Trade law firm or customs consultant identified for regulatory queries.	[ ]
Banking: Relationship manager at AD bank familiar with trade finance products (LC, PCFC, invoice discounting).	[ ]
Language: English communication capability — all buyer correspondence and documentation in clear, professional English.	[ ]
EU buyer communication protocol: Standard response time commitment (e.g. within 24 hours for EU buyer enquiries — time zone management established).	[ ]
Compliance training: Export team trained on FEMA, SCOMET, RoDTEP, and EU compliance requirements.	[ ]
Document management: Central document management system for export files — accessible to all relevant team members.	[ ]

Section	Status	Priority Actions
A — Registrations	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
B — Product Compliance	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
C — Documentation	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
D — Quality / Standards	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
E — Trade Finance	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
F — Logistics	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
G — Commercial	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
H — Regulatory Intelligence	Ready / Partial / Not Ready
I — Team / Capability	Ready / Partial / Not Ready

INDIAN EXPORTER

EXPORT READINESS CHECKLIST

READINESS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

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