Hey, it’s Me again!
Remember when your heart sinks because the bank just sent back your Letter of Credit with 17 corrections? Yeah, been there at 3 a.m. with cold coffee and a crying baby in the next room.
Two years ago I was exactly where many of you are right now: running my family’s small garment export unit in Tirupur, drowning in paperwork, and praying nothing gets stuck at the port. Then I joined the Online MBA in International Business through UniversityGuru’s partner institutes (DPU, IIBMS, and GLA). Best decision ever.
Today I’m spilling the exact documentation checklist I have pinned above my desk. My team calls it “Neha’s Bible”. It has saved us lakhs in demurrage and penalties. Steal it, print it, thank me later.
> “I went from fearing customs officers to high-fiving them at the port. This checklist + the UniversityGuru course literally doubled our export turnover in 18 months.” – Neha (yes, that’s me!)
That One Night My Shipment Almost Died
Let me tell you about my Dubai disaster first. Wrong INCOTERMS (I wrote FOB instead of CIF), insurance certificate missing, and the buyer screaming on WhatsApp. â‚ą4.2 lakh gone in 18 days of delay. My cousin Rohan still teases me about the tears.
That nightmare pushed me to find a course that teaches real stuff, not just textbooks. UniversityGuru’s weekend live classes with actual Custom House Agents felt like someone finally switched the lights on.
My Everyday Export-Import Documentation Checklist (2025 Edition)
Here’s what I check before I even allow my factory to start stitching.
Before You Touch the Goods
- Sales contract with crystal-clear INCOTERMS 2020 (I bold and underline it now, no chances)
- Valid IEC + GST LUT filed
- RCMC if you want RoDTEP money later
- Certificate of Origin preference (GSP for Europe? FTA with UAE? Decide early)
Payment & Banking
- LC received? Check shipment date, expiry, and “partial shipment allowed” box
- My golden rule: Never accept LC without “third-party documents acceptable” clause
- Keep the bank’s fee receipt (some ports still ask, trust me)
The Actual Shipping Week Chaos
- Commercial Invoice, 8 copies, signed in blue ink (yes, some countries care)
- Packing list with exact carton dimensions (customs loves measuring)
- Original Bill of Lading + telex release instructions ready
- Insurance if you’re on CIF/CIP (I once forgot and paid from my pocket)
- Fumigation certificate for wooden pallets no ISPM-15 mark = instant rejection
After the Ship Sails (The Money Part)
- File Shipping Bill + EGM immediately
- Submit documents to bank within 21 days or kiss your money goodbye
- Track BRC for GST refund (set calendar reminders!)
One missing stamp = container sitting at port = â‚ą18,000 per day pain.
Why UniversityGuru’s Online MBA Felt Like Having a Mentor Sitting Next to Me
Every Saturday we had live sessions with real CHAs. One uncle from Mundra port showed us his screen and amended a live LC while sipping chai. I took screenshots and used the exact same wording next week for my Germany order.
They also gave us real templates not some 2015 junk from Google. Files that actually cleared customs last month.
My favorite was the mock shipment project. My team picked Sri Lanka as destination. We submitted wrong HS code and got roasted by the mentor at 11 p.m. Harsh? Yes. But zero mistakes in real life since then.
Check out the programs here: review UniversityGuru’s Online MBA partners
Biggest Mistakes I Still See My Friends Making in 2025
- Using 2010 INCOTERMS (yes, really)
- Trusting freight forwarders blindly with Bill of Lading draft
- Forgetting to write “Freely Negotiable” on B/L when selling through trader
- Sending black-and-white Certificate of Origin to Saudi (they want color now!)
- Panicking and paying bribes instead of just carrying the missing paper
Pro tip: Keep a WhatsApp group with your CHA, banker, and forwarder. One voice note can save lakhs.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet I made for my team: _download my updated 2025 checklist_
Mini FAQ
- Do I really need an MBA to understand this?
Honestly? I survived without one for years, but I also lost money every month. The Online MBA made everything click in just 24 months while I kept earning.
- Which INCOTERMS should I stick to as a beginner?
FOB or EXW. Keep life simple till you grow confidence.
- Is Letter of Credit dead in 2025?
For new buyers in Middle East, Africa, CIS countries – very much alive and kicking!
Disclaimer
The details in this blog, including fees, syllabus, statistics, and career insights are based on publicly available information as of 2025. Universities frequently update their programs, pricing, and policies. Always check the official university website or contact their admissions team for the most current and accurate details. This blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be used to negotiate fees or demand specific pricing from counselors. Prices and offerings may vary.
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