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IEC
Every Indian exporter needs an Importer-Exporter Code from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Garments & apparel · Working with Indian exporters
Clothing Manufacturers and Exporters in India: A Buyer's Guide
India has thousands of clothing manufacturers and exporters, from vertically integrated knit groups to small woven units that rely on job-work for printing, embroidery and washing.
This guide covers how Indian garment exporters are set up, the export paperwork involved, typical payment and lead-time terms, and how to verify a supplier. For product categories and clusters, see our garment manufacturers hub.
Types of clothing exporters in India
Vertically integrated groups
Knitting or weaving, dyeing, cutting, sewing and finishing under one group. Strong on consistency, usually with higher minimums.Cut-make-trim units
Sew garments from fabric they buy or you nominate, and use outside units for processes such as printing or washing.Merchant exporters
Hold the export licence and customer contract but place production with other factories. Ask where goods are actually made.Specialist units
Embroidery, hand-work, knit sweaters or denim laundries that serve other exporters and brands.Export documents and registrations to expect
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Export council membership
Most apparel exporters register with the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).
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Shipping documents
Commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading or airway bill, and certificate of origin where a trade agreement is claimed.
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Product documents
Test reports, fibre or organic certificates and social audit reports, depending on your market and customer.
Payment terms, lead times and Incoterms
Common terms are a deposit with order and balance against documents or after final inspection; established buyers may get letters of credit or open account. Most Indian exporters quote FOB at an Indian port or ex-works.
Lead times depend on fabric. Stock or greige fabric can mean a shorter run, while custom-dyed or developed fabric adds weeks before cutting. Peak seasons and festival holidays also affect capacity.
How to verify a clothing exporter before ordering
Factory visit or video walkthroughIEC and GST registration checkCapacity and line countIn-house vs job-work processesSocial and chemical audit reportsCertificate scope and validityReference orders of similar product
Where we fit
Sourcing India is a buyer-side sourcing company. We do not own garment factories or sell garments from stock. We find, qualify and manage independent Indian manufacturers and exporters for you, and the factory is your supplier of record.
We are not a clothing exporter. We help you choose exporters, manage development and production, and check quality on your behalf.
Garment sourcing by destination market
Duty, labelling and compliance differ by market. Our country guides list the main rules with official sources.
Garment buyer questions
How do I find genuine clothing manufacturers in India?
Shortlist by product type and cluster, verify registrations, visit or video-audit the factory, and check whether key processes are done in-house or outsourced.
What is a merchant exporter?
A company that exports garments made by other factories. It can be useful, but you should know which factory actually produces your order.
Which Incoterms do Indian garment exporters use?
FOB at an Indian port is most common, followed by ex-works and CIF. We help you compare quotes on the same basis.
Submit your product requirements
Tell us about your garment programme
Share a photo, reference product or tech pack. We will identify suitable verified manufacturers and explain the next steps — no obligation.
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