Shellac Export Documentation from India

A shellac shipment from India is only as good as its paperwork. A missing certificate of origin can cost the buyer their duty preference, and a COA that does not match the packing list can hold cargo at customs. This guide lists the registrations an exporter needs, the documents that travel with every consignment, and the extra papers some destinations ask for.

Before the first shipment: exporter registrations

IEC (Importer Exporter Code)	Issued by DGFT. Mandatory for every Indian exporter and quoted on the shipping bill.
GST registration	Exports are zero-rated; most exporters file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) to ship without paying IGST.
RCMC from SHEFEXIL	Shellac and lac products fall under the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council. Registration is needed for export benefits and for issuing some certificates.
AD code and ICEGATE	The exporter's bank AD code is registered with customs so export proceeds can be tracked.

India's export policy has specific notes on shellac and lac, including SHEFEXIL registration and quality certification. Check the current DGFT policy with your CHA before each new product line.

Documents that travel with every consignment

Commercial invoice	Product, grade, HS code, quantity, unit price, Incoterm and total. Wording must match the LC if one is used.
Packing list	Bag or carton count, net and gross weight, and lot numbers that match the COA and bag marks.
Shipping bill	Filed on ICEGATE by the CHA. Customs examines the goods and grants the Let Export Order (LEO).
Transport document	Bill of lading for sea, air waybill for air, truck consignment note for road to Bangladesh.
Certificate of origin	Non-preferential, or preferential where the buyer claims a duty cut (see below).
Certificate of analysis (COA)	Batch test results from an accredited laboratory, matching the lot numbers.
SDS and TDS	Safety data sheet and technical data sheet for the grade. See COA, MSDS and TDS explained.

HS codes for lac products

Using one consistent code keeps the invoice, shipping bill and certificate of origin in line:

Seedlac, shellac flakes, button lac, dewaxed and bleached shellac	HS 1301.90 internationally; commonly declared as 1301 90 99 in India
Shellac wax (lac wax)	1521 90 20
Lac dye	3203 00 30
Aleuritic acid	2918 19 (confirm the 8-digit line with your customs broker)

The Indian tariff once had separate 8-digit lines for each lac product (1301 10 xx). Since the HS 2017 revision, SHEFEXIL cross-references lac products to 1301 90 99. Confirm the current code for each grade with your CHA before filing.

Certificates of origin by market

• Vietnam and other ASEAN countries: Form AI under the ASEAN–India FTA for reduced import duty. See the Vietnam guide.
• Bangladesh: a SAFTA or APTA certificate if the importer claims preference; otherwise a non-preferential certificate. See the Bangladesh guide.
• Other markets: a non-preferential certificate of origin, or a preferential one under any trade agreement the destination has with India.

A preferential certificate has to be issued correctly at origin. It is hard to fix after the goods arrive, so agree it with the buyer before shipment.

Documents some destinations or buyers ask for

• Phytosanitary certificate: more likely for sticklac and seedlac, which can carry plant residue, than for refined shellac. Requirements vary by country; confirm with the importer.
• Fumigation certificate: needed when wooden pallets or packing are used without ISPM-15 marking.
• Insurance certificate: under CIF, issued by the seller's insurer. See Incoterms for resin buyers.
• Food and pharma papers: E904 or pharmacopoeia compliance declaration, Halal or Kosher certificates on request. See what is E904 shellac.
• Bank documents: under a letter of credit, the bank checks every document against the LC terms, so wording must match exactly.

After shipment

• Send scanned documents to the buyer the day the goods are loaded, and originals by courier or through the bank.
• When payment arrives, the bank reports it so the export proceeds are realised (e-BRC); check whether any export incentive such as RoDTEP applies to the HS line.
• Keep a retained sample of each lot with its COA, in case of a quality query.

A pre-shipment checklist

1. Lot numbers match on COA, packing list and bag marks.
2. HS code and product description match on invoice, shipping bill and certificate of origin.
3. Incoterm on the invoice is the one agreed, and fits the transport mode (FCA, CPT or DAP by road).
4. Certificate of origin type matches the duty preference the buyer expects.
5. Phytosanitary or fumigation papers are arranged if the destination needs them.

Quick answers

What documents are needed to export shellac from India? A commercial invoice, packing list, shipping bill, transport document (bill of lading, air waybill or truck consignment note), certificate of origin, batch COA, and SDS/TDS. Some destinations also need a phytosanitary or fumigation certificate.

Which export promotion council covers shellac in India? SHEFEXIL, the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council. Exporters register with it for an RCMC.

What is the HS code for shellac exported from India? Lac and shellac fall under HS 1301.90 internationally and are commonly declared as 1301 90 99 in India. Shellac wax is 1521 90 20 and lac dye 3203 00 30. Confirm the code with your CHA.

Do shellac exports need a phytosanitary certificate? It depends on the destination and the product. Sticklac and seedlac are more likely to need one than refined shellac. Confirm with the importer before shipment.

Which certificate of origin is used for shellac exports to Vietnam? Form AI under the ASEAN–India FTA, which lets the Vietnamese importer claim a reduced import duty.

This guide summarises industry practice as of October 2026. Confirm current regulations and requirements for your market before ordering. It is not legal advice.