Building BusinessServices

Section 14

Readymade garments (cotton)

India’s exports: 9,486.59 US$ million · 2025-26 (provisional)

HS codes
3
top markets
5

How to start

  1. Get an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT online; it is free and linked to your PAN.
  2. Register with AEPC and get your RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) through the DGFT e-RCMC system.
  3. Start as a job-work or CMT (cut-make-trim) supplier to an established exporter, then take your own buyers.
  4. Show buyers a sample room, a sampling lead time and a compliant factory audit.

Top buyer countries

  1. United States2,359.83 US$ million · 2025-26
  2. United Arab Emirates700.14 US$ million · 2025-26
  3. United Kingdom693.87 US$ million · 2025-26
  4. Germany531.07 US$ million · 2025-26
  5. Netherlands410.27 US$ million · 2025-26

Certificates and registrations

  • AEPC RCMC
  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and, for organic, GOTS
  • Social compliance audit (WRAP, amfori BSCI or SEDEX/SMETA) asked by most brands

Watch out for

  • US tariff changes and buyer price pressure hit garment margins fast.
  • Late delivery leads to air freight at your cost or order cancellation.

Businesses in the encyclopedia

Readymade Garments Unit (Baby Rompers) →Gents T-Shirts →Children's Garments →Baby Garments Manufacturing →Denim Garments (Jeans, Jackets, Shorts) →

Sources (3)
  1. TradeStat, Department of Commerce — Export: Principal Commodity-wise, April–March 2026 (provisional), US$ million — row "Q6, RMG COTTON INCL ACCESSORIES"
  2. TradeStat (Export Import Data Bank), Department of Commerce — Commodity-wise all countries export, HS 61, 2025-26, US$ million · 2025-26
  3. HBP Appendix 2T — List of EPCs / Commodity Boards (DGFT), via research/export-import.json · 2023