Exporter registration
Indian exporters need an Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables are also expected to register with APEDA, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. Buyers can ask any supplier for these details before placing an order.
Sourcing and harvest timing
Vegetables are harvested as close to dispatch as possible. Exporters that source near the farms can keep the time between harvest and packing short, which matters for produce with a long journey ahead of it.
Grading, cooling and packing
Produce is sorted by size, colour and condition, and damaged pieces are removed. Perishable vegetables are cooled to take out field heat, then packed in ventilated cartons or crates that protect the produce and let air circulate. Cartons are labelled and palletised for the chosen mode of transport.
Plant-health inspection
Before shipment, consignments that need it are inspected so that a phytosanitary certificate can be issued by India's plant quarantine authority. This certificate confirms the produce meets the plant-health requirements of the importing country.
Customs and freight
The exporter or their customs agent files the export documents with Indian customs, and the goods are handed to the airline or shipping line. The buyer receives copies of the shipping documents so their broker can prepare for clearance on arrival.
Questions to ask any vegetable exporter
Before your first order, it is worth asking:
- Where exactly is the produce sourced, and how soon after harvest is it packed?
- How is each batch graded and inspected?
- Which documents will travel with the shipment to my country?
- Which products do you recommend for air freight and which for sea?
Working with NKS Exports
NKS Exports is a family export house in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. We source directly from farms around Namakkal, grade produce by hand and inspect every batch before it leaves. Consignments move under our verified GSTIN and Import Export Code, and we ship by air or sea depending on the product and destination.
Send us your product list, quantities and destination, and we'll reply within one business day with availability, packing and freight options.
Related pages
This guide is general information for buyers. Import rules change and differ by country, so always confirm requirements with your customs broker or national authority.