Short, practical guides to help you use trade data and avoid costly mistakes.
HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) codes classify goods for customs and tax. Use the HSN Search tool: type a product name (e.g. "turmeric", "jaggery", "cashew") to see candidate codes, or browse the HSN directory by chapter. Choose the most specific level you can support — 8-digit codes give the exact duty line, while 2/4-digit codes cover a group.
Exports of goods are zero-rated for GST (file under LUT or claim a refund), and India levies export duty only on a small notified list of goods. Exporters can also recover incentives such as RoDTEP and Duty Drawback on eligible products.
At the destination, customs charges an import duty (usually on the CIF value: FOB + freight + insurance) and then VAT/GST on (CIF + duty). Some countries add levies or cess. Use the Duty & Landed Cost calculator to estimate the total, and confirm the exact rate with the destination customs authority.
India's DGCI&S publishes commodity-wise and country-wise export and import data. The India tabs let you download multi-year reports with unit realization rates so you can benchmark your price against the market.