Door to door shipping from China to India means one company collects your goods from the supplier in China, ships them by sea or air, clears Indian customs, pays the duty and delivers to your shop, office or warehouse in India. With IFC – Imports From China this is a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service: you pay one landed cost and IFC handles everything in between. Sea shipments usually reach Indian cities in 35–50 days and air shipments in 7–12 days.
Key takeaways
- One price, one contact: pickup in China, freight, customs duty, clearance and delivery are included.
- Sea or air: sea for bulk and low cost (35–50 days), air for urgent goods (7–12 days, about ₹350–400 per kg).
- No import paperwork for you: IFC files the Bill of Entry and pays duty under the DDP model.
- Small to full loads: from a few cartons (LCL or air) to full 20GP / 40HQ containers.
- Know the cost first: estimate duty and landed cost in the free IFC shipment calculator.
How does door to door shipping from China to India work?
- Share your supplier and product details – product name, HS code if known, quantity, weight and CBM (or carton sizes). If you only know the weight, use the weight to CBM calculator.
- Get a landed-cost quote – IFC confirms the per-kg or per-CBM rate including freight, duty and delivery.
- Supplier delivers to IFC’s China warehouse – IFC has offices in Guangzhou and Yiwu; goods are received, counted, weighed and measured.
- Inspection and consolidation (optional) – check quantity, quality and packing; combine goods from several suppliers into one shipment.
- Loading by sea or air – IFC loads mixed containers and air cargo daily.
- Indian customs clearance – IFC handles the Bill of Entry, duty payment and examination at the Indian port or ICD.
- Delivery to your door – goods are delivered to your address across India.
What is included in IFC’s door-to-door (DDP) service?
| Step | Door to door (DDP) with IFC | Port to port / DAP (you arrange) |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup from Chinese supplier / warehouse receipt | Included | Supplier or you |
| Sea or air freight to India | Included | Included |
| Indian customs duty (BCD, SWS, IGST) | Included in landed price | You pay separately |
| Customs clearance / Bill of Entry | Included | You hire a CHA |
| Delivery to your door in India | Included | You arrange transport |
| Who deals with problems | IFC, one contact | Several parties |
Read the full comparison in DDP shipments from China to India.
Sea vs air: which door-to-door option should you choose?
| Sea door to door | Air door to door | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical transit to Indian cities | 35–50 days after loading | 7–12 days |
| Best for | Bulk, heavy and lower-value goods, furniture, machinery | Urgent, light and high-value goods, samples |
| How it is charged | Per CBM or per kg (whichever is higher) | Per kg (actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher) |
| Indicative rate | Depends on product and duty – get a quote | About ₹350–400 per kg, duty-paid |
| Load size | LCL from about 1 CBM, or full 20GP / 40HQ | From small parcels upward |
More detail: LCL shipping from China to India and FCL vs LCL shipping.
How much does door to door shipping from China to India cost?
The door-to-door price depends on four things: the product’s customs duty (from its HS code), the weight and volume (CBM), the mode (sea or air) and the delivery city. Duty is often the largest part, so the same 1 CBM of furniture and 1 CBM of electronics can cost very differently. The quickest way to see your number is to enter your HS code, invoice value, weight and CBM in the IFC landed cost calculator, or check duty rates on the HS code pages.
Which cities in India do you deliver to?
IFC delivers door to door across India, including Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, Noida), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Surat, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Lucknow and other cities. Goods are picked up from suppliers anywhere in China, with offices in Guangzhou and Yiwu.
What documents do I need for door-to-door import from China?
- Commercial invoice and packing list from the supplier
- Your business details (GSTIN; IEC where required for your shipment type)
- Product details and photos, and any certification that applies (for example BIS for toys, electronics and footwear, WPC for wireless devices)
IFC prepares the Bill of Entry and customs filing. For a step-by-step view, see the import process from China to India.
Why choose IFC for door to door shipping from China?
- Own offices in Guangzhou and Yiwu with English-speaking staff and translators
- Daily loading of mixed containers and air cargo
- Sourcing, China buying agent and China sourcing agent services under one roof
- Rated 4.8 on Google – read IFC customer reviews
Get your real landed cost: enter your product, weight and CBM in the IFC shipment calculator, or call IFC on +91 98116 91631 for a door-to-door DDP quote from China to your city.
Frequently asked questions
How long does door to door shipping from China to India take?
By sea, usually 35–50 days after loading in China, depending on the port and city. By air, usually 7–12 days door to door.
Is customs duty included in door-to-door shipping?
With IFC’s DDP door-to-door service, yes. The landed price includes freight, Indian customs duty and clearance, and delivery to your address.
What is the minimum shipment for door to door from China?
Air shipments can start from small parcels. Sea shipments go as LCL (shared container) from about 1 CBM, or as a full 20GP / 40HQ container.
Can IFC collect goods from several Chinese suppliers?
Yes. Suppliers deliver to IFC’s warehouse in China, where goods are checked and consolidated into one shipment to India.
What is the difference between DDP and DAP from China?
Under DDP the shipper (IFC) pays Indian duty and clearance and delivers to your door. Under DAP the goods arrive at the destination but you pay duty and arrange clearance yourself.