If you’re from Jammu, Srinagar, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi or Anantnag and dreaming of starting an online business, Selling Online can be your biggest opportunity. More than 60% of sales on Online Market Places come from independent sellers, many of them small-town entrepreneurs who started with nothing but a good idea and a smartphone.
But for people in J&K, selling online comes with its own challenges —
poor connectivity, shipping delays, weather issues, and high GST confusion.
So here’s a simple, locally-relevant guide to help you start selling confidently from Jammu & Kashmir.
Why Selling Online from Jammu & Kashmir Is a Game-Changer
From Rajouri’s Chikri craft, Kashmir’s dry fruits, Jammu’s traditional items, to everyday essentials — J&K has products that India loves. Amazon gives you a platform to take these local treasures across the country.
And the best part?
Many products you want to sell may actually be GST-exempt, which makes selling cheaper and easier.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
Wait… Not Everything on Online Selling Has GST?
Yup, that’s right.
Not every item sold in India comes with GST.
In fact, Amazon has a long list of GST-exempt product categories, and many of them are items commonly found in J&K households, farms, markets, and local industries.
So if you want to start selling from home — even with limited investment — these categories can help you avoid extra taxes.
GST Exempt: What Does It Mean for J&K Sellers?
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is the tax added to most products in India. But some products are exempt for reasons like:
1. Public Interest
Sometimes the government removes GST to make essentials more affordable.
2. Special Orders
State or Central governments can announce exemptions for specific situations.
3. Official Notifications
If the GST Council issues a notification, those products become tax-free.
If your Amazon category matches these, you’re free from GST — and that’s a BIG advantage for small sellers in J&K.
Two Types of GST Exemptions
● Absolute Exemption
No conditions. No matter where you supply or who you supply to, there’s zero GST.
● Conditional Exemption
GST-free only if certain conditions are met (like non-branded, unpackaged, etc.)
GST-Exempt Products You Can Sell on Online Market Places (Perfect for J&K Sellers)
Here are the categories that attract zero GST — many of these match J&K’s local produce, crafts, and home industries with inputs from the official Amazon blog:
1. Food Items (Jammu & Kashmir Has Massive Potential Here)
- Cereals
- Fresh vegetables & fruits (not frozen)
- Edible roots, tubers, fish & meat (unprocessed)
- Jaggery (Gur)
- Unprocessed tea leaves
- Unroasted coffee beans
- Seeds
- Ginger
- Salt
- Turmeric
- Papad (very popular in Jammu households!)
- Unbranded atta, maida, besan
- Natural, non-branded honey (huge for Kashmir sellers)
- Unpacked paneer
- Bread
- Puffed rice
- Eggs
- Milk, curd, lassi, buttermilk
- Poultry feed & cattle feed
Local Business Opportunity:
– Kashmir honey sellers
– Jammu dairy owners
– Kashmir dry-fruit entrepreneurs
– Village women making papad, paneer & spices
2. Raw Materials (Boost for J&K Artisans & Handloom Workers)
- Raw silk, jute, wool
- Silk waste
- Khadi fabric
- Cotton used for khadi yarn
- Handloom textiles
- Charcoal
- Firewood
Local Relevance:
Perfect for weavers in Bishna, Akhnoor, Kathua, Kupwara & Budgam.
3. Tools & Instruments
- Hearing aids
- Agricultural tools (spades, shovels, sickles)
- Handmade musical instruments
- Tools for differently-abled persons
Local Relevance:
Great for small workshops in Jammu, Samba, Baramulla, Sopore.
4. Miscellaneous (Popular in J&K Markets)
- Books, journals, newspapers
- Drawing books for kids
- Postal items
- Educational services
- Beehives (perfect for Kashmir beekeepers)
- Bangles
- Chalk sticks
- Contraceptives
- Earthen pots (mass demand during Shivratri/Navratri)
- Pooja items – idols, bindi, kumkum
- Kites
- Organic manure
- Vaccines
- Indian national flag
- Gandhi cap
- Human hair (used in wig-making industry)
Local Selling Idea:
– Religious items from Raghunath Bazaar, Srinagar markets
– Earthen pots from Akhnoor, Samba, Budgam
– Organic manure from farmers in Kulgam, Anantnag & Udhampur
Why This Matters for Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurs
✔ Lower cost of starting
✔ No GST registration required in many cases
✔ Easier logistics
✔ Perfect for home-based businesses
✔ Works even if you live in a remote village
If you’re stuck due to weather, transport or internet issues — these GST-free categories are your best shortcut to start earning online.
Selling online from Jammu & Kashmir isn’t difficult anymore. You just need:
- A smartphone
- Basic packaging
- A GST-exempt or low-GST product
- A willingness to start
Whether you’re from Jammu city, Srinagar downtown, Banihal, Kupwara, or Pirpanjal, Trikuta hills, you can start an online store from home and reach customers across India.
To read more about GST exempted categories Click Here.
Jammu & Kashmir has unlimited potential — and this is your chance to turn local products into national success.
