India's exports are mainly focused around mineral ores, industrial raw materials and foods grains. The country is also one of the largest exporters of computer software and information technology enabled services to Western and European countries. The exports are majorly accounted for in US Dollars since it is widely for foreign exchange transactions by most countries. Indian import data is a database of all the exports that have left the country during a particular month or quarter.

The data is prepared by custom officials from invoices, bill of lading, exporter's product manifesto, etc. It contains useful information like list of items exported, name of the exporters, their contact numbers, addresses, e-mail or website details, etc. During 2004 to 2006 there was no practice of recording the names of the exporters. The data is prepared on the basis of Indian customs department notification to provide such information for the benefit of local suppliers. It also contains the product description in international nomenclature, importer name, contact details and country.

With the port of destination details local traders can identify foreign markets where there is demand for their products. It is an excellent source to find local manufacturer or suppliers of high quality products. Since all the goods are to be checked and verified by customs officials before they are permitted for export, there is no compromise on the quality. The data is compiled based on data available from various Indian sea ports like JNPT, Mumbai, Chennai, Tuticorin, Kolkata, Delhi, Vizag, etc.

Agricultural products are the largest export commodities of India. The country has abundant production of the same, the surplus of which it exports to foreign nations to earn foreign exchange. The foreign exchange is in turn used to purchase goods and services to be imported into the country. Until the 1991 India had a much closed approach towards foreign investments and exchange. Only when the balance of payments of the country ended up in a crisis was the economy opened up for foreign investment. Since then India had been a constant presence in international markets reputed for local produce as well as handicrafts and native products.

On the other hand, India largely imports automobiles, textiles, plastic and industrial equipment from other nations. Indian export data also shows that some traders even have barter agreements with foreign suppliers where goods are exchanged for goods worth without having to transact in foreign currency. Middle East, US and Asian countries are the main export domain of India. Middle East is the largest exporter of rice commodities from India.