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(A real story of how I shipped goods internationally with zero money in hand)
If there is one business without investment which anyone car start, it is the export business — and I am living proof of it.
I didn’t have capital, loans, or investors. But I had one thing: belief that business without investment is possible if you know how to use systems, relationships, and trust smartly.
This is the story of how I completed my first export order without any upfront money, without collateral, and without begging banks for finance.
You may also want to read: First Export Order? A Practical Playbook for the New Exporter: Credit, Compliance, Proforma Invoice, CHA & Port Choices
Unlike most businesses where you must first buy stock, rent shops, or build inventory, export allows you to:
✅ Get advance payment from buyer
✅ Buy goods after receiving payment
✅ Negotiate credit terms with suppliers
✅ Use pre-shipment & post-shipment finance
✅ Ship first → Pay later → Profit stays with you
You are not investing your money — you are using:
👉 Buyer’s advance + Supplier’s trust + Bank’s export finance
I sent handicraft samples to multiple buyers. Many didn’t respond. Some rejected. Courier cost was the only real expense I paid in the beginning.
But I didn’t quit. Persistence finally paid off.
One buyer from singapore agreed to place an order of tea on the payment terms of:
✅ 30% advance payment (TT)
✅ 70% after copy of Bill of Lading
That single advance changed everything.
I paid my supplier partial amount and the rest on credit — because of my relationship and honesty.
Once I got the Bill of Lading (BL) from the shipping line, I emailed the copy to my buyer.
Within a couple of days— ✅ The remaining 70% payment was received.
No loans. No collateral. No debt.
Just smart negotiation + trust + proper documentation.
✅ Export completed
✅ Profit earned
✅ Business without investment: PROVEN
I approached banks for export finance, but most were clueless.
Small-town banks rarely understand export finance, so I learned this:
Banks don’t give money based on “interest”. They give money based on past records and history.And i had no history as i was a new exporter.
What banks need:
✔ Confirmed export order / LC and buyer’s credentials.But They dont usually provide credit to new exporters.
✔ IEC + Udyam registration
✔ Buyer credibility,ECGC insurance coverage .
✔ GST/PAN compliance
| Type of Finance | When You Get It | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Shipment Finance (Packing Credit) | Before shipment | Buy goods, raw materials, packing |
| Post-Shipment Finance | After shipping | Bridge cash gap till payment comes |
Both can be given without collateral using schemes like CGTMSE, CGSS, MSME Credit Card etc.
✅ CGTMSE Scheme (No collateral loans up to ₹2 Cr)
✅ Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)
✅ MSME Credit Card (₹10 lakh revolving limit)
✔ Yes, business without investment is possible — in exports
✔ Buyer advance + supplier trust = self-funded order
✔ Export documents are more valuable than bank collateral
✔ First export order is always the toughest — after that, it builds momentum
✔ If the product has quality & demand, money follows automatically
My journey proved one thing:
Money is not the first requirement to start a business. Clarity, strategy, and negotiation are.
If I can execute my first export order without investment, anyone can — if they learn the system.
If you want a detailed step-by-step guide on export business without investment, just comment or message.
• DGFT – IEC & Export Schemes
• ICEGATE – Customs & Export Docs
• EXIM Bank – Export Finance
• ECGC – Export Credit Insurance
• NIRYAT Portal – Govt Export Dashboard
• Udyam Registration – MSME ID
• Bank of Baroda – Export Finance
1. Can export business really be started without investment?
Yes. With confirmed orders, buyer advance, supplier credit, and government export finance, you can export without using your own money.
2. Do buyers really give advance payment to new exporters?
Genuine buyers do — if you are transparent, share product details, and offer credibility through documents like IEC, GST, product photos, etc.
3. What if I don’t get advance from buyer?
You can still export using pre-shipment finance (Packing Credit) from banks, backed by schemes like CGTMSE or ECGC.
4. Is collateral mandatory for export loans?
No. Under CGTMSE, CGSS, and MSME Credit Card, exporters can get collateral-free working capital.
5. Do I need a factory or big setup to start exporting?
No. You can export even as a merchant exporter by sourcing products from Indian manufacturers.
6. What is the first legal step to become an exporter in India?
Apply for an IEC (Import Export Code) from DGFT. It’s fully online and free.
Want me to add more FAQs targeted for Google snippets (People Also Ask)? Just say “Add more FAQ”.
Tabrez is a trader, entrepreneur, and first-generation exporter who proved that business without investment is not a myth — it’s a strategy. He now shares practical, experience-based guides to help Indian MSMEs and new exporters grow with clarity, compliance, and confidence.
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