Everything an Indian MSME needs to import from China – in one place. This guide brings together all IFC articles on sourcing, shipping, customs, duty and product-wise importing. IFC – Imports From China has helped Indian businesses import from China since 2004 (20+ years), with our own offices and warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu and daily sea and air loading to India.

Landed cost calculator →Import duty by HS code →Weight to CBM calculator →Source products at factory prices →

How importing from China to India works – 5 steps

  1. Find and verify a supplier – on Alibaba, 1688, Yiwu market or at the Canton Fair. Check that it is a real factory and agree price, MOQ and payment terms in writing.
  2. Pay safely – avoid 100% advance to unknown suppliers; use trade assurance or pay through your import agent.
  3. Inspect and consolidate – goods are delivered to the agent’s China warehouse, checked, photographed and loaded by sea (LCL/FCL) or air.
  4. Customs clearance in India – the importer (or the agent on its own IEC under DDP) files the Bill of Entry under the right HS code and pays import duty and GST.
  5. Delivery to your door – goods are delivered with a GST bill, like a local purchase.

New to importing? Read the guides under Start an Import Business first, then estimate your total cost with the China to India shipment calculator.

Start an Import Business

The import process from start to finish, what it costs, whether you need an IEC, and how to choose and verify a China import agent.

China Sourcing & Suppliers

How to find genuine factories, buy on Alibaba and 1688, use the Yiwu market and Canton Fair, pay suppliers safely, and run factory audits and pre-shipment inspections. Prefer us to do it? See our China sourcing service.

Shipping & Freight from China

Sea freight vs air freight, LCL vs FCL, DDP door-to-door shipping, transit times and cost per kg or per CBM from China to India. For an all-inclusive service, see DDP shipments from China to India.

Customs, Duty & Compliance

Indian import duty (BCD, SWS, IGST), HS codes, customs clearance, import documents, IEC and product compliance. Look up duty for any product in our HS code duty database.

Product Import Guides

Product-wise guides with duty, compliance and landed-cost tips. You can also browse live factory prices in our China product catalogue.

Need help with your import?

IFC handles sourcing, inspection, shipping, customs clearance on our IEC and doorstep delivery across India – one team, one all-inclusive quote. Call +91 98116 91631 or get a free quote. See all pages on our sitemap.