How to Import from China to India: Customs, Duties, and Shipping Guide

India is China’s largest trading partner in South Asia. A significant portion of this trade consists of SME businesses importing products from Chinese manufacturers for resale, distribution, or production use. The process involves regulatory requirements and tax calculations that differ meaningfully from importing to the UAE.

Prerequisites: what you need before importing

Importer Exporter Code (IEC). Issued by DGFT. Mandatory for any commercial import. Application is online, processed within 3-5 working days.

GST Registration. Required for claiming input tax credit on IGST paid at customs clearance.

AD Code Registration. Your bank’s Authorized Dealer code registered with the customs port where goods arrive.

Choosing the right shipping method

Air cargo: 4-8 working days to major Indian airports. Practical choice for shipments under 300 kg, high-value goods, or urgent needs.

Sea freight: 15-30 days depending on ports and mode. Major Indian ports: Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Mundra, Kolkata. Standard mode for regular importers.

Our China to India shipping route supports both air and sea freight with door-to-door delivery. Cash on delivery for cargo charges.

Understanding customs duties and taxes

Basic Customs Duty (BCD). Varies by HS code, from 0% on certain raw materials to 20-30% on finished consumer goods. Some Chinese products face additional anti-dumping duties.

Integrated GST (IGST). Applied on assessable value (CIF + BCD). Typically 12% or 18%. Claimable as input credit for GST-registered businesses.

Social Welfare Surcharge. 10% of BCD. Small but should be included in landed cost calculation.

Total tax burden typically ranges from 25% to 50% of CIF value depending on product category. Significantly higher than UAE customs (generally 5%), making margin calculation even more critical.

Documentation requirements

• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
• Commercial Invoice with product descriptions, quantities, prices
• Packing List
• Certificate of Origin
• Insurance Certificate (if insured)
• IEC and AD Code
• Product-specific certifications (BIS for electronics, FSSAI for food, CDSCO for medical devices)

Emara handles documentation preparation and submission for India-bound shipments, including HS classification and duty calculation communicated before goods ship.

Payment to your Chinese supplier

Indian businesses face the same currency challenge as UAE importers. Direct bank transfers carry 2-4% conversion costs and 3-5 day processing. Our payment support allows settlement in INR with faster processing and lower conversion costs.

Common challenges specific to India

Anti-dumping duties. India imposes these on several Chinese product categories including certain steel, chemicals, textiles, and electronics. Can add 10-40% to landed cost.

BIS certification for electronics. Mandatory for a wide range of electronic products before sale in India. Importing without certification means goods held at customs.

Quality and specification differences. Products made for Chinese or Middle Eastern markets may not meet Indian electrical standards, labeling requirements, or sizing. Specify Indian-market requirements at order stage.

Getting started

If you are an Indian business planning to import from China, request a quote. We handle the full corridor: sourcing, verification, payment, shipping, customs coordination, and delivery. Quote within 2 hours.