How to Export Poultry from India?

India’s poultry industry is spreading its wings beyond borders. With rising global demand for quality meat and eggs, Indian exporters are gaining attention for their competitive pricing, hygienic processing, and government support. Backed by organisations like APEDA, exporting poultry from India has become a promising business for those ready to tap into international markets. It is the perfect time to turn your poultry venture into a global success story. This blog will provide you with detailed information on how to export poultry from India.

Overview of India’s Poultry Export Industry

India’s poultry export industry is steadily growing and gaining international recognition for its hygienic processing, competitive pricing, and consistent supply. The country exports a variety of poultry products, including frozen and chilled chicken, egg powder, and yolk, mainly to countries like Oman, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the Maldives, and Qatar. Supported by APEDA, the industry benefits from government incentives, quality control systems, and export facilitation. With integrated farming systems, improved cold-chain infrastructure, and rising global demand, India is becoming a reliable poultry exporter in the international market. This growth reflects India’s potential to emerge as a major player in the global poultry trade.

Licenses and Registrations Needed for Poultry Export

The following details include the licenses and registrations needed for poultry export:

Business Setup Essentials

Before exporting, register your business as a legal entity (sole proprietor, partnership, or company), obtain PAN and GST registration, all required for official operations and transactions.

Import–Export Code (IEC)

An IEC from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is mandatory for exporting any goods. It is a one-time 10-digit code you must submit early in the process.

APEDA Registration + RCMC

Since poultry is a "scheduled product" under the APEDA Act, you must register with APEDA and obtain a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC).

• Required documents include: IEC, PAN, GST, bank certificate, and FSSAI license.
• This unlocks export schemes, training programs, and market support.

FSSAI License

Since you are exporting poultry/meat products, an FSSAI license is mandatory. It certifies that your processing unit meets food safety standards.

Infrastructure Approvals

If you are setting up cutting, processing, or cold-chain units, secure approvals from local authorities like municipal licences, no-objection certificates, the pollution control board, and FSSAI for your plant.

Export and Quality Certifications

Most importers demand extra certifications. Common ones include:

• Animal health/phytosanitary certificate (from government vets)
• Halal certificate, if exporting to regions like the Middle East, a third-party accredited agency issues it
• Optional ISO/FSSC food safety and HACCP certification for premium markets

Shipping Documents

Each shipment must include:

• Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
• Health & veterinary certificates
• Certificate of origin
• Insurance and inspection certifications
• Shipping bill, and AD Code for remittances

Renewals and Compliance

• APEDA RCMC: Valid for five years; must be renewed on time
• FSSAI license: Renew periodically as required
• Maintain documentation and customs compliance to avoid export delays and penalties

How to Export Poultry from India?

The details below include the process to export poultry from India:

Step 1: Formalise Your Business

Register your poultry export venture as a legal entity (sole proprietor, partnership, or company), and secure a PAN and GST registration.

Step 2: Obtain the IEC from DGFT

Apply for a 10-digit Import–Export Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. This is mandatory to start exporting.

Step 3: APEDA Registration & RCMC

Register with APEDA and earn your Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), essential for poultry exports. Use DGFT-issued IEC, PAN, GST, FSSAI license, and bank documents.

Step 4: Secure FSSAI License

Your processing unit must be FSSAI-licensed to ensure food safety standards for meat and egg products. Obtain the appropriate category based on your operations.

Step 5: Build Infrastructure & Quality Controls

Set up hygienic processing and cold-chain facilities. APEDA offers subsidies for equipment and cold-storage systems. Implement food-safety protocols and residue monitoring for EU-bound products.

Step 6: Apply for Necessary Certificates

Obtain veterinary health certificates, residue test reports, and any Halal certification (if exporting to Islamic nations). Premium buyers may also request ISO/HACCP approvals.

Step 7: Find Buyers & Prepare Clearances

Explore markets through APEDA’s Agriexchange portal, trade fairs, and broker networks. Maintain traceability, prepare export documentation and labels, and verify import-country rules.

Step 8: Export Documentation & Shipping

For each shipment, ensure you have:

• Commercial invoice & packing list
• Shipping bill & bill of lading
• Veterinary & health certificates
• Certificate of Origin & insurance
• AD Code for remittance tracking

Step 9: Customs, Logistics & Cold?Chain

Use refrigerated transport to move products to the port or airport. Clear customs via ICEGATE, maintain required cold?chain conditions until loading, and ship with preferred logistics partners.

Step 10: Renewals & Ongoing Compliance

• APEDA RCMC: Valid for five years and should be renewed before expiry.
• FSSAI license: Renew as needed.
• Report residue test results (especially for EU markets) and maintain updated documentation and quality checks.

Documents Required for Export

Here is the list of documents required for poultry export:

• Import Export Code (IEC) – Issued by DGFT
• APEDA Registration–cum–Membership Certificate (RCMC)
• FSSAI License – Mandatory for all food product exports
• Veterinary Health Certificate – Issued by a government-authorised vet
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Shipping Bill – Filed through ICEGATE
• Bill of Lading (Sea) / Airway Bill (Air)
• Certificate of Origin – Issued by the Chamber of Commerce or APEDA
• AD Code Registration – Required for remittance via customs

Packaging, Labelling and Storing Requirements

Let us discuss the packaging, labelling and storing requirements in the following details:

Packaging Requirements

• Use food-grade packaging, plastic-lined boxes or vacuum-sealed bags to prevent moisture loss and contamination.
• Follow APEDA’s standard box dimensions for poultry, typically around 500?×?440?×?320?mm, using strong 5?ply corrugated cardboard
• For powders or minced products, pack in sealed internal bags before bulk boxing to keep meat fresh and hygienic.
• Fumigation: Export containers must be fumigated before loading and again after stuffing to avoid pests and meet international safety standards

Labelling Essentials

Each shipment box must clearly state:

• Product name (e.g., “Frozen Chicken” or “Egg Powder”)
• Net weight, batch/lot number, and packing date
• Storage instructions (like “Keep Frozen”)
• Exporter details: name, address, and country of origin
• Import country’s regulations: some markets require bilingual labels or nutritional info—check rules before export.

Cold-Chain & Storage Standards

• Pre-cooling: Chill poultry to -18?°C for frozen or 2–4?°C for chilled products right after processing to lock in freshness.
• Cold storage: Keep goods in cold rooms at the same temperature until shipment—either at the farm, pack-house, or CFS.
• Refrigerated transport: Use insulated trucks or reefers to maintain the set temperature all the way to the port or airport
• Upon arrival at container freight stations, keep packages chilled and load into reefer containers without additional ventilation.

Pre-Export Storage Tips

• Many exporters store packaged poultry at around 20–25?°C for up to 20–45 days if the destination allows it, common for powders or dried items
• For chilled meat, exporters store in air-conditioned rooms for 7–14 days to allow customs or clearance delays, with full documentation and temperature logs.

Top Countries Importing Poultry from India

Here is the list of the top countries that import poultry from India:

1. Oman: The largest importer of Indian poultry products due to close trade ties and high demand for frozen chicken and eggs.
2. Sri Lanka: A major buyer of poultry meat and egg powder, especially during domestic shortages or seasonal demands.
3. Maldives: Consistently imports a wide range of processed poultry and chilled meat products from India.
4. United Arab Emirates (UAE): A growing market for Halal-certified frozen chicken and processed poultry from India.
5. Qatar: Imports Indian poultry for both retail and food service sectors, with increasing focus on hygiene and Halal standards.
6. Indonesia: Imports poultry by-products like egg yolk powder and processed poultry components, mainly for food manufacturing.
7. Japan: A premium buyer interested in processed and value-added poultry, often demanding high-quality and hygienically packed items.
8. Vietnam: Purchases poultry products like egg powder and processed meat for the food industry.
9. Bhutan: Imports poultry and eggs regularly due to limited domestic production.
10. Russia: An emerging market for Indian poultry, especially in select food-processing segments.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Let us discuss the common challenges and how to overcome them:

Regulatory & Compliance Challenges

• Exporters must follow multiple rules like FSSAI, APEDA registration, veterinary clearance, and country-specific requirements such as Halal certification. These formalities can be confusing and delay shipments.
• How to overcome: Register early with APEDA, get your IEC, and use platforms like ICEGATE for digital clearances. Hire a consultant or trained staff to avoid errors.

Lack of Proper Cold-Chain Infrastructure

• Poultry products are highly perishable and require constant refrigeration. Any break in the cold chain—from farm to port—can lead to spoilage, quality loss, or rejection by the buyer.
• How to overcome: Invest in cold storage, pre-cooling units, and refrigerated trucks. Apply for APEDA and NCCD subsidies to reduce setup costs and improve storage systems.

High Feed & Transport Costs

• Fluctuations in the prices of chicken feed (like maize and soybean) and rising logistics or freight rates can eat into your profit margins.
• How to overcome: Sign long-term contracts with suppliers to lock prices. Use bulk transportation. Watch market trends closely and apply for export incentive schemes like RoDTEP to recover costs.

Complicated Documentation Process

• Poultry export needs several documents—FSSAI license, veterinary certificate, health certificate, Halal certificate, packing list, invoice, shipping bill, and more. Many first-time exporters find this overwhelming.
• How to overcome: Create a checklist for each shipment. Train a team member or hire a certified export agent. Use platforms like ICEGATE and AgriExchange to manage paperwork digitally.

Meeting International Quality Standards

• Many countries reject consignments due to hygiene issues, antibiotic residues, or not meeting packaging and labelling norms. These rejections hurt credibility and finances.
• How to overcome: Maintain strict hygiene, get certified for HACCP, ISO, and Halal, and follow EU residue guidelines. Conduct regular lab tests and keep a quality log for every batch.

Limited Access to Global Buyers

• Small and new exporters often struggle to connect directly with international buyers. Many rely on agents or brokers, which reduces their profit margins and bargaining power.
• How to overcome: List your business on APEDA AgriExchange, attend trade expos, or join B2B platforms like IndiaMART, TradeIndia, and Alibaba. Build a strong online presence and connect with importers directly.

Government Schemes and Support for Exporters

Let us discuss the government schemes and support for exporters:

APEDA Market Development Assistance (MDA)

• Packaging Support: Covers 25% of approved packaging material costs (like boxes and liners), up to Rs.5 lakh/year per exporter, helping maintain quality branding overseas
• Market Promotion: Funds feasibility studies, trade fairs, buyer-seller meet-ups, advertising, and digital outreach—boosting brand visibility and global exports

APEDA Export Infrastructure & Quality Schemes

APEDA provides financial help (40–50%) for:

• Setting up processing units, cold storage, pre-cooling facilities, and refrigerated transport.
• Buying lab equipment, residue testing kits, and certification setups like HACCP and ISO, raising export readiness and product safety

Agri-Exchange Portal & Trade Assistance

• AgriExchange connects poultry processors with global buyers, allowing real-time trade leads and international enquiries.
• Market Intelligence: Access global price updates, demand trends, and tariff rules to help make smart export decisions

 NCCD & Cold-Chain Development

Through the National Centre for Cold-chain Development, you can access subsidies and technical guidance to build:

• Cold rooms, refrigerated vehicles, and insulated warehouses.
• This improves food safety and reduces losses during storage and transport

Other Export Incentives

• Under schemes like RoDTEP and Interest Equalisation, exporters get tax or duty benefits and cheaper credit to stay competitive.
• These are managed by the Ministry of Commerce and banks to help reduce costs and support profitability

Expert Tips for New Poultry Exporters

Here are some expert tips for new poultry exporters:

• Register Early & Get Certified

Start by registering with APEDA to obtain your IEC and RCMC—this opens access to subsidies, guidance, and market support. Ensure your processing unit has a valid FSSAI license, and apply for ISO/HACCP and Halal certificates if you are targeting premium or Islamic markets.

• Build Strong Cold-Chain Infrastructure

Poultry products spoil fast—invest in pre-cooling units, strong cold storage, and refrigerated transport to keep meat chilled or frozen throughout export. You can access subsidies from APEDA and the National Centre for Cold-chain Development (NCCD) to offset these setup costs.

• Master the Documentation

Poultry export requires paperwork—veterinary certificates, FSSAI license, Halal (if needed), packing list, shipping bill, certificate of origin, and more. Use digital platforms like APEDA’s AgriExchange and ICEGATE to manage documents efficiently, reduce errors, and save time.

• Research & Connect with Buyers

Use APEDA’s AgriExchange portal to find serious overseas buyers and keep an eye on demand trends. Attend trade fairs, network with industry groups like EEPC and FIEO, and build your brand reputation for reliable, quality exports

• Control Costs and Manage Risks

Feed prices and freight rates often fluctuate—these can hit your margins hard. Lock in prices through bulk contracts, monitor markets closely, and explore export schemes like RoDTEP or the Interest Equalisation Scheme to reduce cost burdens.

• Maintain Quality & Compliance

Export success depends on high quality—install hygiene checks, perform regular residue tests, and adhere to export destination norms. Certifications like ISO, HACCP, and Halal help you meet global standards and build buyer confidence.

India’s poultry export sector is full of potential for those ready to plan smart, meet quality standards, and keep products fresh through every step. With government support, global demand, and the right certifications, new exporters can turn their poultry business into a thriving global brand. It is not just about exporting chicken—it’s about delivering trust, freshness, and opportunity across borders. In this article, you have learned how to export poultry from India. If you want to get help and assistance from professional experts in filing an IEC, GST, APEDA or company registration, contact Online Legal India.