Importing and Exporting From Madhya Pradesh: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs

Madhya Pradesh exports pharmaceuticals, soybean products, cotton and textiles, wheat and other agricultural produce, and auto components. Importers and exporters here use the same national systems as everywhere else, with a few local points worth knowing. This guide covers them.

The IEC and DGFT

The IEC is applied for online on the DGFT portal, so there's no need to visit an office. The DGFT has regional offices in Bhopal and Indore, which handle matters under the Foreign Trade Policy for the region, such as certain authorisations and schemes.

Sea Freight

Madhya Pradesh is landlocked. Sea freight moves through inland container depots, such as those near Indore and Bhopal, and is railed to ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.

Air Cargo

Air cargo usually moves through Indore airport, or Mumbai for larger volumes. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.

Key Sectors

• Pharmaceuticals: exports need drug regulatory documents and often cold-chain handling.
• Agricultural and processed foods: APEDA registration, phytosanitary certificates and buyer-country food rules apply.
• Textiles and garments: exporters register with the relevant export promotion council, such as AEPC for apparel, and buyers often ask for compliance audits.
• Auto components: exports often go to global OEMs with their own quality certifications, and imports of parts may need BIS compliance.

Most exporters also register with the relevant export promotion council or commodity board for a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), which is needed for many Foreign Trade Policy benefits.

GST for Exporters in Madhya Pradesh

File a GST LUT each year to export without IGST, and claim refunds of unused credit. Refunds are processed by the jurisdictional officer — from the Madhya Pradesh state GST department or central GST.

A Checklist for Traders in Madhya Pradesh

1. Get an IEC and complete the annual update every April to June.
2. Register your AD code at the airport, ICD or ports you use.
3. File a GST LUT each year.
4. Check sector-specific export requirements and register with the right export promotion council.
5. Track realisation of export proceeds.

Getting Help

Think Filing helps businesses in Madhya Pradesh start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.