A Complete Guide on Shipping Textile From India

Sanidhya Negi / October 4, 2024

India’s textile market stands as a global leader, contributing significantly to the country’s economy. It also plays a vital role in world trade. Textile exports from India account for 12% of the nation’s total exports, with India holding a 4% share of the global textile and apparel market.

With over 95% of the world’s hand-woven fabrics originating here, India is not only a major producer of cotton and jute but also the second largest producer of silk globally. As the demand to export clothes from India grows, the industry is projected to see remarkable growth, with textile exports expected to rise from USD 36 billion to USD 100 billion by 2030. This guide explores how you can ship textiles from India and tap into this expanding market.

Understanding the Scenario of Textile Export From India

India’s textile exports are deeply rooted in its rich history, with the country being a leading producer of raw materials like silk, jute, cotton, and wool. Traces of India’s textile heritage date back to the Indus Valley Civilization, when cotton was first grown. 

The textile exports from India have evolved into a modern, dynamic industry, projected to reach USD 65 billion by Fiscal Year 2026. The cloth export from India is backed by over 4,000 exporters, shipping textiles to nearly 14,000 global buyers, marking the country’s strong presence in the global textile market.

Top Textile Products Exported from India 2023-24

India’s textile exports have shown impressive growth, serving global markets with a wide range of products. Below is a detailed overview of the top textile products exported during 2023-24.

RMG Cotton: The largest export category, ready-made garments (RMG) of cotton, contributed an impressive USD 8,252.33 million. The demand for cotton garments has been steadily rising in international markets which makes it a key driver in India’s textile exports.

Cotton Fabrics and Madeups: Cotton fabrics and madeup products ranked second, with an export value of USD 6,630.38 million. These include various cotton-based textiles that serve both fashion and industrial purposes globally.

Manmade Yarns, Fabrics, and Madeups: Manmade yarns and fabrics continue to be a crucial segment in India’s textile industry, contributing USD 4,679.14 million to the country’s export revenue. These products are widely used in fashion, home textiles, and industrial applications.

Cotton Yarn: Cotton yarn is another major export, generating USD 3,780.23 million. This product is essential in both local and international textile production and makes India a top supplier of high-quality yarn.

RMG Others: Other ready-made garments (RMG) made from different materials contributed USD 3,213.87 million. This category includes various apparel items beyond cotton-based garments.

RMG Manmade Fibers: Ready-made garments made from manmade fibers brought in USD 2,764.30 million. These synthetic fiber-based products are popular for their durability and are in high demand in many countries.

Handicrafts: Handicrafts added USD 1,802.29 million to the export figures. These products include handwoven fabrics, decorative items, and traditional art pieces that are cherished globally.

Carpets: Indian carpets are world-renowned for their craftsmanship and contribute USD 1,349.40 million to textile exports. These carpets hold a special place in international markets for their intricate designs and premium quality.

Top Markets For Textile Exports from India

India’s textile industry enjoys a strong presence in global markets, with several countries driving the demand for cloth exports from India. The United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom are the top destinations for textile exports from India. Among these top destinations, the United States leads, accounting for 29% of India’s textile exports. 

Other key markets include Bangladesh (7%), the United Kingdom (6%), and the United Arab Emirates (6%). These countries have a growing demand for textile exports from India and are vital hubs for Indian textile manufacturers. Germany also stands out with a 4% share, further demonstrating India’s robust global footprint in the textile sector.

Documents Needed For Exporting Textile From India

Exporting textiles from India requires specific documentation to ensure smooth shipping and compliance with international regulations. These documents are mentioned below.

Export License: It is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). This license permits the export of textiles.

Packing List: It carries information like details of the contents, packaging, and weight of the exported goods.

Invoice: Specifies the value and quantity of the textile products being exported.

Bill of Lading or Airway Bill: It serves as the proof of shipment by sea or air. 

Certificate of Origin: This document certifies that the textiles are produced in India.

Certificate of Conformity: This certificate verifies that products meet international standards.

Export Declaration Form: This form declares the export goods and their details to customs.

Shipping Order: It is issued by the shipping company that confirms the booking of cargo.

Debit Note or Credit Note: It is used for financial adjustments, if applicable.

Key Steps to Start Shipping Textile From India

If you’re planning to export clothes from India or get into textile exports from India, follow these key steps to ensure a smooth process.

Obtain an Export Licence: The first step is to secure an Export Licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). This license is mandatory to begin exporting textiles or any other goods from India.

Arrange Export Finance: After receiving your export license, approach a bank for Export Finance. This will help you fund the production, packaging, and shipment of goods. Export finance ensures you have the necessary resources to meet international orders.

Ensure Compliance with Quality Standards: It’s essential that your textile products meet the quality standards required by the destination country. Each country may have different regulations, so double-check the requirements to avoid delays or rejections.

Obtain Necessary Permits and Certificates: Based on the destination country, certain permits or certificates may be required for textile exports. Make sure to gather all the necessary documents from relevant authorities before shipping.

Choose a Reliable Shipping Partner: Select a trusted logistics partner to handle your shipments. Courier aggregators like Bigship offer a variety of services such as real-time tracking, early COD remittance, and easy shipping routes, simplifying the process of moving goods from India to your desired destination. Once your textiles are shipped, keep an eye on their movement.

Tips for Succeeding in Textile Exports from India

To excel in textile exports from India, here are some key strategies to boost your competitiveness and market reach:

Expand Your Product Range: You can diversify your products by introducing designer fabrics, eco-friendly textiles, and technical fabrics. This will help you to stand out globally by opening doors to new opportunities.

Invest in Modern Technology: Stay competitive by upgrading your machinery and adopting digital technologies like CAD and 3D weaving. This improves efficiency, reduces costs, and enables faster delivery of high-quality products.

Focus on Market Research and Partnerships: Lastly, conduct thorough market research to understand trends and consumer needs. Build strategic partnerships with distributors and online platforms to expand your global reach.

Different Shipping Ways To Export Textiles From India

The process of shipping cloth export from India involves choosing the most efficient transportation method based on cost, time, and cargo volume. Here are key options to consider for exporting textiles from India.

Ocean Freight: This option is ideal for exporting clothes from India, textiles are packed into containers and shipped via cargo vessels. You can choose between Full Container Loads (FCL) for larger shipments or Less Than Container Loads (LCL) for smaller quantities.

Air Freight: For urgent and time-sensitive shipments, air freight is the best option. While more expensive, it ensures textiles reach international destinations quickly. This shipping method is ideal for high-value or fashion-related exports.

Rail Freight: For long distances and larger quantities, rail freight offers a reliable method to ship non-time-sensitive goods. It’s a good choice for specific trade routes where speed isn’t critical.

Road Transport: Road transport is a flexible and cost-effective option for exporting clothes from India to neighboring countries. Here, you get Full Truck Load (FTL) and Less than Truck Load (LTL). 

Intermodal Shipping: Intermodal transportation combines multiple transport modes, such as trucks, trains, and ships. It ensures smooth transportation of goods across various regions while optimizing delivery times and costs.

Challenges in Shipping Textiles From India

While textile exports from India offer significant opportunities, exporters face several challenges that can impact their competitiveness and growth in the global market. Some of these prominent challenges are mentioned below.

Intense Competition from Low-Cost Countries: Countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam benefit from lower production costs by offering textiles at cheaper prices. This creates stiff competition for Indian exporters in the global market.

Maintaining Consistent Quality Standards: Ensuring quality control in textile production can be difficult due to fragmented supply chains and varying skill levels among workers. Meeting global quality expectations is essential for textile exports from India to remain competitive.

Sustainability and Environmental Concerns: The Indian textile industry faces increasing pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices. Water consumption, pollution, and waste management are key concerns that push exporters to invest in sustainable manufacturing methods like water recycling and energy efficiency.

Conclusion

The textile export from India is booming, thus, making this the perfect time for businesses to expand globally. By securing an export license, meeting quality standards, and partnering with reliable shipping companies like Bigship, you can enter the global market effortlessly. Bigship offers fast delivery, affordable rates, early COD remittance, and shipping to 220+ countries. 

So, start exporting high-quality textiles from India today by signing up with Bigship now.

FAQs

Ques: What are the necessary documents needed to export textile from India?

Ans: The list of necessary documents required for exporting textile from India are:

• Export License
• Packaging List
• Bill of Lading/ Airway Bill
• Certificate of Origin
• Certificate of Conformity
• Export Declaration Form
• Shipping Order

Ques: What are the top countries for the export of textiles from India?

Ans: The top countries that export textiles from India are the USA, the UAE, and the UK.

Ques: Which Indian textile products have high demand in the global market?

Ans: The textile products like RMG cotton, manmade yarns, and Fabrics, have the highest demand in the global market.