Karandeep Singh, founder of Zibell, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey just two years ago. An IT engineer by training and a front-end developer by profession, Karandeep’s passion for textiles and apparel — inspired by his family’s business background — led him to explore e-commerce exports. What started as a side income gradually grew into a focused venture offering high-quality textile accessories on platforms like Amazon and Walmart. However, navigating the complex world of export compliance and payments posed significant challenges that threatened to slow down Zibell’s growth.
When Export Compliance Became a Roadblock for Zibell
Initially, Karandeep faced multiple hurdles, particularly with compliance around export documentation. One major pain point was the closure of shipping bills. Banks associated with Amazon didn’t provide Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates (FIRCs) directly to sellers, making it difficult to compile and link all necessary documents. While Amazon introduced an export navigator portal issuing FIRCs, its fees and hidden costs discouraged many sellers from relying on it.
On the payment front, other payment gateways complicated the process by scattering FIRC data across various files, forcing Karandeep to download multiple ZIPs and manually reconcile documents. This disorganization created delays and extra effort in compliance submission. Despite these operational challenges, Karandeep was satisfied with the pricing and commissions charged by Razorpay once onboard.
Unlocking Efficiency in Export Compliance
Zibell’s partnership with Razorpay transformed their export payment experience. Razorpay’s platform provided instant email notifications with FIRCs attached, allowing Karandeep to access crucial compliance documents conveniently at any time. This automation eliminated the manual and error-prone process of gathering FIRCs from multiple sources. Furthermore, Razorpay enabled Zibell to accept payment cards directly on their own website, paving the way for a direct-to-consumer (D2C) expansion beyond Amazon.
The comprehensive support from Razorpay, combined with their easy-to-use payment solutions, helped Karandeep focus on growing his brand while confidently managing compliance and financial processes.
From Compliance Challenges to Growth Opportunities
Karandeep’s journey from an IT engineer to a growing exporter highlights the complexities small businesses face in cross-border e-commerce. By addressing critical compliance challenges and streamlining payment processes, Razorpay empowered Zibell to build a strong foundation for growth. With a reliable payment partner in place, Karandeep is now focused on scaling his brand beyond marketplaces to establish a direct relationship with customers. Razorpay’s tailored support and intuitive tools continue to play a key role in Zibell’s journey toward becoming a recognized name in textile exports.
