India is the largest producer and exporter of agarbatti (incense sticks) in the world, supplying spiritual and aromatic products to countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The global love for Indian fragrances like sandalwood, rose, jasmine, and patchouli has made agarbatti a highly sought-after export item.
If you’re a small or medium agarbatti manufacturer in India and want to take your business global, exporting is an excellent opportunity. But export is not just about having a good product—it also involves the right licenses, documents, certifications, and marketing strategies.
In this complete guide, we will help you understand:
- The export potential of agarbatti
- Step-by-step procedure to start exporting
- Required documents & licenses
- How to find international buyers
- Cost, packaging & shipping tips
- Platforms to register and sell globally
🌍 Why Export Agarbatti from India?
✅ High Global Demand
- Used in homes, temples, meditation centers, yoga studios
- Preferred by spiritual seekers, aromatherapy users, wellness brands
- Rising demand in USA, UAE, UK, Malaysia, Australia, and African countries
✅ Wide Variety of Products
- Masala Agarbatti
- Charcoal-free agarbatti
- Bamboo-less incense sticks
- Dhoop sticks and cones
- Premium fragrance agarbatti
✅ Government Support
- 100% FDI allowed in agarbatti export
- Incentives under MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme)
- Export promotion by MSME, KVIC, APEDA, and DGFT
🏁 Step-by-Step Process to Export Agarbatti from India
Step 1: Set Up Your Business Legally
You must have a registered manufacturing or trading business.
Register as:
- Proprietorship / Partnership / Pvt. Ltd / LLP
- Apply for Udyam MSME registration
- Open a Current Account in Business Name
Step 2: Get an Import Export Code (IEC)
IEC is a mandatory license to export from India.
How to Apply:
- Visit DGFT website: https://www.dgft.gov.in
- Apply online with PAN, Aadhaar, bank details
- IEC is usually issued in 1–2 days
Cost: ₹500 (Govt Fee)
Step 3: Register with Export Promotion Council
Register with:
- EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts) or
- APEDA if your incense has herbal/organic content
This helps you:
- Get export incentives
- Attend global trade fairs
- Apply for schemes/subsidies
Step 4: Product Testing & Certification
For exports, especially to the EU or USA, quality assurance is critical.
Get the following done:
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) – for fragrance safety
- Non-Hazardous Certificate
- Phytosanitary Certificate (if herbal-based)
- Lab testing for emissions/smoke (optional but helpful)
For organic agarbattis, certification from:
- India Organic
- USDA Organic
Step 5: Choose Your Product & Target Market
Export only high-quality and well-packed products.
Popular Export Markets:
| Country | Top Selling Fragrances |
| USA | Sandalwood, Patchouli, Lavender |
| UAE | Oudh, Rose, Jasmine |
| UK | Nag Champa, Frankincense |
| Africa | Herbal, Musk, Dhoop |
| Australia | Lemongrass, Sage |
Focus on non-charcoal, eco-friendly or aromatherapy grade agarbattis to attract premium buyers.
Step 6: Create Attractive Packaging
Export buyers look for:
- Moisture-proof, sealed packs
- Multi-lingual labels
- Export-grade boxes (corrugated, barcoded)
Include:
- Brand name
- Net weight
- Origin (Made in India)
- Fragrance name
- Contact details
- Expiry (if applicable)
Consider eco-friendly packaging for global appeal.
Step 7: Pricing & Export Costing
Calculate the export price carefully by including:
| Component | Cost |
| Manufacturing | ₹30–₹70 per pack (avg) |
| Packing & Labeling | ₹5–₹10 |
| Transport to port | ₹3–₹5 |
| Freight (air/sea) | ₹10–₹30 (varies by country) |
| Profit Margin | ₹10–₹20 |
Exporters can charge ₹100–₹300 per pack in international markets, depending on quality and branding.
Step 8: Select Mode of Shipping
- Courier (DHL, FedEx) – For small orders, samples
- Air Cargo – Fast, costly
- Sea Freight – Economical for bulk (100 kg+)
Get freight quotes from freight forwarders or CHA (Customs House Agents).
Use FOB (Free on Board) or CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) terms.
Step 9: Find International Buyers
This is the most important step for your export success.
✔️ Online Platforms to Find Buyers:
- IndiaMART – create B2B export profile
- TradeIndia
- ExportersIndia
- Alibaba
- Global Sources
- Amazon Global Selling
- Etsy (for handcrafted incense)
- Shopify (International shipping enabled)
✔️ Social Media
- Facebook & Instagram Ads targeting NRIs
- LinkedIn networking with international wholesalers
✔️ Offline Methods
- Participate in trade fairs (organized by EPCH, ITPO)
- Approach Indian stores abroad
- Connect with Indian embassies or trade missions
✔️ Export Agencies
Hire a Merchant Exporter or Export Agent who can handle logistics, buyers, and formalities for a fee or commission.
Step 10: Documentation for Export
Prepare the following export documents:
| Document | Purpose |
| IEC (Import Export Code) | Basic license |
| Commercial Invoice | Buyer invoice |
| Packing List | Quantity & weight |
| Shipping Bill | Custom clearance |
| Certificate of Origin | Declares product origin |
| Bill of Lading / Airway Bill | For shipping |
| Product Label with HS Code | Required for clearance |
Optional:
- Insurance certificate
- Quality certificates
- Test reports
💰 Export Incentives for Agarbatti Sellers
As of 2025, exporters can avail:
| Scheme | Benefit |
| RoDTEP | Refund of duties & taxes on export |
| MEIS | (replaced, but benefits for some categories) |
| Interest Subvention Scheme | Lower interest on export loans |
| Duty Drawback | Refund of customs duty on inputs |
Register with DGFT and Customs ICEGATE portal to claim these.
📦 Export Packaging Tips
- Avoid plastic-only packaging
- Use kraft paper boxes or cardboard sleeves
- Include fragrance-block layer to avoid cross-scenting
- Bulk buyers prefer 10-pack, 20-pack cartons
- Add fragrance list + usage guide (esp. for new markets)
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Agarbatti Export
- Sending low-quality products as samples – Always send premium
- Ignoring packaging standards – International buyers value visual appeal
- Underpricing – Maintain margins to cover export costs
- No written contracts – Always have agreements
- Neglecting buyer follow-up – Export success depends on relationship building
📊 How Much Can You Earn?
Example:
- Pack of 20 agarbattis: ₹35 production
- Selling Price (USA): ₹125 (wholesale) / ₹200+ (retail)
- Profit after cost: ₹50–₹80 per unit
Exporting even 1,000 packs per month = ₹50,000–₹80,000 profit
With growth, your monthly income can easily cross ₹1 lakh.
✈️ Sample Export Order Workflow
- Buyer contacts you via Alibaba
- You send product catalog and sample
- Buyer confirms trial order (e.g., 500 packs)
- You raise proforma invoice
- Buyer transfers payment (via TT or LC)
- You ship the product via DHL or sea cargo
- Share tracking & invoice
- Build relationship for repeat orders
✅ Final Checklist Before You Start Exporting Agarbatti
- Business registration (GST, Udyam)
- Import Export Code (IEC)
- Product certifications (if needed)
- Sample stock ready
- Branded packaging with labels
- Online presence (catalog, social media, listing)
- List of target countries and buyers
- Tie-up with CHA / freight agent
🧾 Conclusion
Exporting agarbatti from India in 2025 is a profitable, scalable, and prestigious business opportunity. With demand growing across global spiritual, yoga, wellness, and aromatherapy communities—now is the perfect time to take your incense brand global.
Yes, the process involves licenses, quality checks, and paperwork—but with the right knowledge and effort, you can turn your local agarbatti manufacturing into a successful international export business.