E-commerce has provided huge opportunity to entrepreneurs who want to sell internationally online from India. Products like handicrafts, apparels, artificial jewellery etc. are in great demand in different countries. So, there lies a vast potential for Indian suppliers and now is the right time to take the plunge.
Compare it with offline trade. If you have been struggling to find buyers abroad, you can understand how tough it is to procure export orders.
But now, different global marketplaces have made it easier for anyone to sell in multiple countries. Online marketplace which are an ideal choice for beginners have opened doors for traders and manufactures to sell their products globally.
The main advantage of selling through marketplaces is that problems related with global e-commerce like listing products and shipping are resolved to a great extent.
Important things to know before you sell internationally online from India:
- Sell on local marketplaces to know how everything works and to gain experience of online selling.
- Get your IE code number. You can apply online here: Director General Foreign Trade.
- Learn about all the documentation, customs procedures etc. Hire a tax consultant and take his advice on every aspect of exporting goods. Do your homework thoroughly before launching to avoid costly mistakes.
- Fix the MRP after carefully adding all the costs like taxes & duties, shipping, return shipping, rate of exchange etc.
- Make sure to comply with local laws of the country you want to sell in. Understand cultural differences, trade laws between countries and consumer preferences.
- Don’t make product choice based on your experience with domestic selling. Product choices, demands and standards vary in countries. Do research to find best selling categories and latest trends in target countries.
- Be very particular and strict about the quality or you will lose the trust of customers. Foreign buyers won’t give you a second chance.
Following is the list of the best marketplaces to sell internationally online from India:
Amazon
Has marketplaces in 11 countries. Start with selling to US customers then you can add more countries. You will have to create a separate account on Amazon USA site even if you already are selling on Amazon India.
- Phone number
- International Credit Card
- Tax Information.
You will also need to complete online tax interview as a non-US resident.
You can ship products yourself or through FBA ( Fulfillment by Amazon). As shipping is a big challenge in international selling, FBA is the most suitable option as it reduces headaches like providing local address for product returns, faster deliveries, greater visibility, local language support etc.
Ebay
Selling globally on eBay from India can be a promising opportunity to expand your market reach and increase sales. You get access to millions of buyers in more than 190 markets around the world.
Expanding your business to sell globally from India on eBay offers several compelling benefits that can significantly enhance your market reach, sales potential, and overall business growth.
Selling on eBay allows Indian sellers to access a vast global market comprising millions of potential buyers across various countries and regions. By tapping into international markets, Indian sellers can substantially increase their revenue streams.
Register on eBay for free:
Create an eBay seller account. Ensure you provide accurate information about your business, as eBay has verification processes for sellers. Just create a business account on sellglobal/ebay.in.
You need following documents to be eligible to sell globally on ebay:
1. PAN ( Permanent Account Number)
2. GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number)
3. IEC (Importer Exporter Code)
Additionally, you will need to create Payoneer account, link your Payoneer account to your eBay account and sync your eBay and Payoneer accounts.
While creating your seller account, you will need to submit these details:
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Contact person name
- Nature of business
- Product category
- Number of products you want to sell ( you can even start with a single product)
You will need to submit these documents:
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
- PAN
- GSTIN
- IEC
A big advantage you get on ebay is you get access to the research tool Terapeak. This tool will help you identify the product(s) that have high demand and low competition. Terapeak uses recent eBay supply, demand and pricing data to help you determine what to sell, when to sell it and at what price to sell it for.
This will save your time and money as you will not have to keep trying different products.
For step by step detailed guide on how to sell successfully on ebay, you can visit: https://sellglobal.ebay.in/
2. Alibaba
Alibaba, world’s leading site for global trade, provides opportunities to Indian exporters to list their products for international selling.
Join as a free member and apply for Gold Supplier Membership to gain credibility. You should create a detailed company profile with maximum number of products displayed. Alibaba also gives you an option to create a mini site.
You can also avail of the value added services that comes with Premium membership for greater product visibility and sales.
3. Etsy
If you are interested in selling handmade items, vintage and craft items, Etsy is the perfect place to sell internationally.
Please note:
1. Handmade items must be created or designed by you. You are not allowed to resell itmes that are handmade by others.
2. Vintage items must be at least 20 years old. You can not sell any item which is less than 20 years old.
Etsy doesn’t require sellers to have a business licence to sell on Etsy.
But, to avoid any legal hassles, you must fulfill requirements as an exporter.
You need PAN, GSTIN and IEC ( Importer Exporter Code) to sell internationally on Etsy or on any other platform.
It is an easier process to sell on Etsy by submitting important details like your bank account number where you want to receive payments.
- Create your seller account.
- Set up your storefront.
- Add product listings.
Etsy has step by step guides and tutorials on how to get started and how to be a successful seller. As a new seller you must visit https://www.etsy.com/in-en/sell?ref=ftr and learn everything required before starting.
ExportersIndia
ExportersIndia.com is a reputed B2B marketplace that has a huge database of overseas buyers. If you have products or services to sell, you can find buyers to start exporting.
Manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers, be it small/medium enterprises, global corporations, or individual sellers, brands, etc., can sell their products or services on ExportersIndia.Com.
You have different options to:
- Get recommendation of the latest buyers.
- Find new buyers.
- List your products/services to attract buyers from different countries.
Register as a seller on Exportes India. Registration is free. You need to submit details like email id, name, mobile number, company name, product/service, company address, etc.
You can start selling with even a SINGLE product.
Also, check these B2B sites for global selling where you can find buyers for international selling.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is based on what is mentioned on the listed websites, is correct at the time of this blog post and may change in the future.
SELL INTERNATIONALLY ONLINE FROM INDIA
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