KYC Requirements

Before any courier or logistics partner will let you book commercial international shipments, they need to verify who you are and that your business is legitimate — this is the KYC (Know Your Customer) process, and it's separate from (but works alongside) your DGFT and GST registrations.

Why couriers require KYC

Courier companies are legally responsible for the shipments they carry across borders, and regulators require them to verify the identity of commercial shippers using their network — this protects against fraud, smuggling, and misuse of courier channels, and it's a standard requirement across the international courier industry, not specific to any one company.

Typical documents required

For individuals: - Government-issued photo ID (PAN card, Aadhaar, passport) - Proof of address

For businesses: - PAN card (business) - GST registration certificate - IEC (Import Export Code) — see IEC Code - Business registration proof (incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or equivalent depending on business type) - Proof of business address - Bank account details/cancelled cheque

When KYC is done

KYC is typically a one-time process completed when you first set up a commercial shipping account with a courier or platform — not something you repeat with every shipment. However, couriers will periodically ask you to re-confirm or update KYC details, especially if your business registration details change.

What happens if KYC is incomplete

A commercial shipment booked without complete KYC on file is likely to be held pending verification, even if all the shipment-specific documents (invoice, shipping bill) are otherwise correct. Complete your KYC setup before you need to ship urgently, not at the point of booking your first time-sensitive shipment.

Keeping KYC current

If your business details change — a new registered address, a change in business structure, updated GST registration — update your KYC documentation with your courier partner promptly. Outdated KYC on file is a common, avoidable cause of account-level shipping holds.