BUSINESS, FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Export-Import Manager
Handles international trade deals, shipping, documentation and rules for buying and selling goods abroad.
Any Class 12 stream; Commerce helps After a degree Private sector
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Solving problems that cross countries and time zones
- Working with contracts, numbers and detailed paperwork
- Meeting buyers, suppliers and officers from different places
It may not suit you if you dislike
- Port delays and missing papers can make busy days stressful
- Trade rules and duties change, so you must keep learning
- Peak shipping seasons mean long hours, and some travel to factories or fairs
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 in any stream is usually accepted for BBA. B.Com usually asks for Commerce. Strong English and basic Maths help in both. (reported)
- First degree
- BBA or B.Com (3 years), then an MBA in International Business or a similar master's (2 years). Some people take a short DGFT or FIEO course alongside or after a degree.
- Entrance exams
- No single exam for this job. MBA admission often uses entrance tests such as CAT, XAT or MAT, and colleges set their own rules. (reported)
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
What the work is like
Arranging export or import orders, shipping, customs papers, payment terms and trade compliance. Works with buyers, suppliers, freight forwarders, banks and customs agents.
A day in the work
The day often starts with emails from overseas buyers and shipping lines. You check that an order's invoice, packing list and shipping papers match. Mid-day you call a freight forwarder or customs agent about a container held up at the port. Late in the day you check payment terms with the bank and plan next week's shipments.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 10–12Build strong English, Maths and basic accounts. Read simple business news about India's exports and imports.
- Step 2 · Class 12Choose BBA or B.Com. Check each college's stream rules before you apply. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 3 · After degreeTake an MBA in International Business, or a short DGFT or FIEO course, to learn export documents, customs and trade rules. Check course details on the institute's own website. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4 · First job or own businessAny firm that imports or exports needs an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT. Learn how it is applied for, linked each year and used at customs.
- Step 5 · Early careerStart in documentation, shipping or an export house. Handle orders and papers under a senior's guidance.
- Step 6 · ExperiencedMove into export head, trade finance or supply chain roles. Keep up with changing trade rules and duties.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (choose BBA or B.Com stream rules) | 2 years | Your school's fees | — | — |
| BBA or B.Com degree | 3 years | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | — |
| MBA in International Business (or similar master's); entrance tests like CAT, XAT or MAT (reported) | 2 years | IIM Indore PGP-HRM (2026–27): ₹10,35,000 first-year course fee, plus refundable caution and mess deposits | Check the college's fee page | — |
| Short DGFT or FIEO course (alongside or after degree) | Check the institute's website for course length | Check the institute's fee page | Check the institute's fee page | — |
| Import Export Code (IEC) registration from DGFT, then yearly update | 1 day application (reported) | ₹500 government fee, paid online (reported) | — | — |
Total timeAbout 5 years after Class 12 (3-year degree plus 2-year MBA), longer if you add a short course
Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.
Good to knowThe IEC must be updated on the DGFT portal every year between April and June, or the code can be deactivated (reported).
Fees from: Patron Accounting: IEC registration guide (non-official) · Sansa Legal: how to apply for an IEC (non-official) · IIM Indore PGP-HRM Fee Structure 2026-28 (official PDF). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Pay depends on the firm, the city and your experience. Fresh trainees earn far less than senior managers at large exporters.
Myth and fact
Myth: You need a big company or an export licence to start in this work.
Fact: Most traders need only an IEC from DGFT, which is an online registration. Many people start in documentation or shipping at small and mid-sized export houses.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Watch a free basic video or short course on how trade works between countries. Then write down three things India exports and where they go.Open link ↗
- Class 10–12Pick one Indian export product, such as tea or handloom. Find out how it reaches a foreign buyer, and write a one-page note.Open link ↗
- College or afterComplete one free module of an NPTEL course on supply chain or logistics this month.Open link ↗
Good to know
- The IEC is a 10-character code from DGFT. Most businesses that trade goods must hold one, and the code is tied to the firm's PAN.
- The IEC must be updated on the DGFT portal every year, between April and June. If it is missed, the code can be deactivated. (reported)
- Trade rules, duties and incentives change often. This job means steady learning, not a one-time course.
- I could not confirm official fee or syllabus pages for the MBA and FIEO courses. Check each institute's own website before you pay anything.