Shipping from China to India

Air is billed on chargeable weight; see air freight from China. Electronics and IT goods need BIS registration before they fly, as by sea.

Direct sailings from Shanghai or Ningbo are preferred when space lines up; otherwise cargo tranships through Singapore, Port Klang or Jebel Ali. Heavy equipment moves in a 40HQ or on a flat rack through Mundra or Nhava Sheva; see FCL shipping from China. LCL covers roughly 1–15 CBM from several suppliers; see LCL shipping from China.

Pro tip: for battery and DG cargo, check carrier acceptance and terminal capability before booking.

Express suits samples. Commercial value must be declared, and duty and IGST apply.

Whether DDP is possible depends on the importer structure and cargo type, so agree the Incoterm and duty responsibility before booking; see DDP shipping from China.

In simple words: 3–5 days origin, 14–28 days at sea, 5–10 days for ICEGATE clearance and delivery.

1. Import Export Code: the consignee needs a valid IEC and banking registration before the Bill of Entry.
2. HS code verification: a mismatch with the invoice leads to holds or reassessment.
3. BIS and MRP labelling: listed electronics and IT products need BIS registration; consumer packs need MRP labels, checked before loading.
4. Commercial documents: invoice, packing list and certificate of origin must agree with the filing data.
5. ICEGATE pre-arrival filing: IGM and Bill of Entry prepared in transit so duty can be paid soon after discharge.
6. Related-party valuation: when buyer and seller are related, the Special Valuation Branch may review the declared value.

Example (illustrative rates; check your HS code): cargo with a CIF value of US$10,000.

1. Basic Customs Duty at 10%: US$1,000.
2. Social Welfare Surcharge at 10% of BCD: US$100.
3. IGST at 18% on CIF + BCD + SWS (US$11,100): US$1,998.
4. Total duty and tax: US$3,098, about 31% of CIF value.

IGST can usually be claimed as input tax credit by a GST-registered importer; BCD and SWS cannot. A wrong HS code changes all three lines at once.

Mumbai, Pune or the west: Nhava Sheva. Gujarat or the north: Mundra, with rail to an ICD. The south: Chennai. Electronics: BIS and MRP checks before loading. No importer setup: agree DDP or DDU scope before booking. Gulf transhipment routes are explained on our UAE page.