Shipping from China to India

Shipping from China to India: The Ultimate Guide

Port of Loading	Port of Arrive	Transmit Time(days)
Shanghai	Nhava sheva/pipavav port	15/17
Shenzhen	Nhava sheva/pipavav port	14/9
Ningbo	Nhava sheva/pipavav port	15/19
Qingdao	Nhava sheva/pipavav port	20/32
Tianjin	Nhava sheva/pipavav port	19/28
Xiamen	Nhava sheva/pipavav port	15/15

Shipping from China to India: The Complete Guide

China and India are both very big countries.

Nonetheless, manufacturing costs in India are quite high compared to China.

Because of this, there is the low availability of certain goods, and their price in India is quite high.

This is why most people, especially people in business, prefer sourcing products from China to resell in India for better profits.

Now, if you plan to source and ship goods from China to India, this guide is for you.

Here, you will find all the information regarding shipping from China to India.

These will include customs regulations, the process of importation, shipping options, routes you can consider and many more.

China to India

Chapter 1: Shipping from China to India Customs and Regulations

When importing items to any country, not just India, knowledge of their customs regulations on import is integral.

You need to know what items you can and can’t bring into that country.

You also have to know what documents you need for successful importation.

And more importantly, an understanding of the applicable duties and taxes is essential for a smooth customs clearance procedure.

With these in mind, lets us find out what customs rules and regulations apply to imports to India.

1.1. Prohibited and Restricted Imports in India

India disallows the importation of some goods into their country.

Prohibited imports to India

These are;

• Narcotic drugs and psychotropic medicines
• Pornographic material and obscene content
• Counterfeits
• Antiquities
• Aero models especially remote operated helicopter
• Duplicate currency
• Politically sensitive literature
• Walkie talkies
• Live plants
• And any other goods that are prohibited for importation under Indian custom laws or any other laws in the country

These are entirely banned from importation into India.

If you choose to import them anyway, Indian customs will not hesitate to seize the goods and fine you.

You could even face a jail term.

Now, there are goods that Indian customs allow for importation into the country but under strict conditions.

The first item is motor vehicles.

Indian customs laws on motor vehicle importation are extensive and well, quite complicated.

Here are the requirements for motor vehicle importation into India.

Importing vehicles

i. Should be right-hand steering, and controls

ii. Should have a speedometer indicating speed in kilometers

iii. Should have photometry of the headlamps to suit ‘keep left ‘traffic

iv. Should not be older than three years from the date of manufacture

v. Should be Euro-III compliant

vi. Cars exceeding 1600 cc must have been registered for at least one year in the name of the importer

vii. Should be accompanied by the original manufacturing invoice of the vehicle (not from a dealer or any other sources)

viii. It should also have a relevant insurance certificate

Other items that are restricted for importation into India include arms and ammunition, live birds and animals, and plants and their produce.

Endangered species, goods for commercial usage, and excessive currency are also restricted for importation to India.

For a complete list, you can check with the Indian Central Board of Excise and Customs.

Note that to be able to bring a restricted item into India, you’ll need authorization from the relevant customs authorities.

You can also learn more about prohibited and restricted goods from:

• India Prohibited and Restricted Imports
• Prohibited and Restricted Goods to/from India

1.2. Required Documentation

The tricky part of importing to India is that you can’t do it without an IEC code.

Yes, all importers to India must register with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

DGFT

Upon this registration, you’ll be issued with an importer-exporter code number (IEC) against your permanent account number.

This is the only way you can engage in importation activities in India.

Now apart from importer registration, there are other documents that customs require for clearance of imports into India.

These documents, take note, vary depending on the products you are importing as well as their origin.

Because of this, I’ll just mention the primary documents that you’ll need to present to customs when shipping from China.

They’re;

• Bill of lading
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of entry
• Industrial license if needed
• Customs import declaration form
• Letter of credit
• Certificate of origin

These are the documents you’ll need to present to customs for clearance of your imports from China.

So make sure that all these are available and are correctly filed.

If you are not sure about how to file your importation documents, talk to your shipping agent.

He/she will be able to assist you with all the paperwork.

1.3. India Import Taxes and Duties

Since you know what you need to be able to import to India, you should also know what you’ll be paying in duties and taxes.

India imports and exports – Photo courtesy: Guardian

The thing about India’s customs tariff system is that it is complicated.

Some may say that the system lacks transparency in determining the effective net rates of importation duties and taxes.

The tariff structure imposes several duties on imports.

These are;

• Basic customs duty ; this is the standard duty charge applicable on all imports into the country.
• Additional customs duty ; this is a tariff that is charged on top of the basicduty.

It is applicable on all imports except for wines, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages.

This duty is charged in correspondence to the excise duty charged on similar domestic products.

• Special additional duty; currently known as the integrated goods and services tax (IGST), this tariff is applied at 4% on all imports including alcoholic beverages.

It is charged on both the basic duty and additional customs duty.

Imports that customs exempt from duty under official notification, however, are not subject to the IGST tax.

In a nutshell, these are the three main duties that you will have to pay upon the importation of goods from China to India.

Import taxes

Now on top of these and depending on the type of goods you are importing, customs may impose any or some of the following charges;

• Social welfare surcharge; previously known as education cess, this is a 10% duty rate charged on all imports based on the total value of their basic and additional customs duty, and not their customs value.

The charge, however, does to apply to goods that are exempt from duty or those whose worth fall under the non-dutiable value cap.

• Antidumping duty; if the government realizes that you’re importing a good at below the fair market price, you will be charged an antidumping duty.

The good things are that the rate at which this duty is charged can’t exceed the margin of dumping.

Margin of dumping is the difference between the importation price and the fair market price.

Also, this duty does not apply to goods imported by units that are 100% export oriented or those in free trade and special economic zones.

Please note; calculation of duty for import is India is done based on the value of the imports.

With regards to this, Indian customs operates a little differently in declaring the customs value of goods.

In India, a landing fee of 1% is included in the customs valuation of imports.

As you can see, a lot is involved in the determination of total tariff charges for imports into India.

To gain a better understanding, therefore, it would be best if you check the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

Here you will find all that you need regarding the Indian tariff rates and related guides.

1.4. Quality Standards and Regulations in India

Majorly when talking about the quality standards and regulations of importing to India, we are talking about labeling and marking.

India Bureau of Standards

These two things are critical when importing products from India.

So to begin with, I want you to understand that India prefers the English language for labeling imports.

Hindi is also allowed for additional declarations on the packaging.

Apart from this, the customs require that all labeling for imports be based on the content they are carrying.

As you’ve already noticed, the Indian customs are strict and quite complicated than most other countries’.

They do not take chances when it comes to the quality of imports brought into the country.

This means that before your package can be cleared for entry into Indian market, it has to meet all the set legal requirements.

Otherwise, you will have a hard time convincing the authorities for clearance.

Now, according to the Indian customs laws, all pre-packaged imports into the country must show the following information;

a) Name and address of the importer

b) The common name of the packed product

c) Net quantity of the packed This has to be in standard units of weights and measurement, i.e., grams, kg, liters, etc.

d) The exact date of manufacture and expiry

e) Maximum price at which the packed item may be sold in India. The retail price must include all taxes, freight costs, dealers’ commission, advertising costs, delivery costs and the like.

f) for food products, labels must detail the ingredients used including their composition by weight or volume

g) food product labels must also show the distinctive batch or lot number

h) if the food is vegetarian, labeling must include a green circle symbol inside a square with a green outline

i) Labeling for non-vegetation food products should prominently display a brown circle symbol inside a square with a brown outline.

An important regulation that all importers should take note of is the 2001 notification on food importation.

This regulation requires that all food products have a valid shelf life of not less than 60% of its original shelf life.

This shelf life is calculated based manufacture and expiry dates given on the labels.

As I’ve told you, your imports must comply with the above labeling requirement to be allowed entry into India.

So be wary and please note:

These requirements are not applicable for imports that require further processing before being sold to the Indian market.

1.5. How to Import from China to India (Step-by-step Process)

I will not tire from saying this, importing from Chinato India can be complicated.

The only key to success, therefore, is knowledge.

It is because of this fact that I want to share with you a simple step by step process on how to import goods from China to India.

I hope you find it resourceful.

Here we go;

Step 1: Identify a Product

As with any business venture, you have to know what you are going to do before entering into it.

The business of importation is no different.

You need to identify a product that can attract demand locally in India.

Examples of Chinese goods that sell well in India are furniture, vehicles, footwear, electronics, cosmetics, chemicals, etc.

Step 2: Apply for an IEC Code

Importing to India without an IEC code is near to impossible, remember?

Well, after you know what you want to import, you can go ahead and register with DGFT.

Step 3: Find a Supplier

You know what you want to import and hold an IEC code, the next step would be to find a good product supplier.

Luckily with China, finding suppliers are easy.

Sites like Alibaba, global sources and made in China.com have simplified the process of finding Chinese suppliers.

These sites provide importers with information from a wide range of suppliers including products they offer, address and contacts.

Other places to hunt for suppliers is on trade shows, exhibitions or paying a personal visit to the Chinese market.

Step 4: Determine the Cost of Importation

If you’re importing for commercial purposes, it is wise that you know the expenses you’ll incur during the importation process.

This is essential as it’ll help you determine if you will profit from the venture or not.

Key factors to take into account when doing this include, freight rates, custom brokerage fees, handling fees, duties and taxes, and storage and distribution.

Step 5: Order Goods

When your cost calculation shows that you can indeed profit from importing from China, go ahead and place the order for goods.

You should order goods from a supplier whose credibility and reliability you’ve verified.

Step 6: Find a Local Freight Forwarder

To ease the process of importation from China to India, you need to work with a reputed freight forwarder.

Freight forwarding expert

My advice, in this case, would be that you find a forwarder located in China.

And, the good thing about this is that there are lots of experienced freight forwarder in China.

You just need to select a few, make contact with them and chose the best one for your needs.

Step 7: Find a Reliable Customs Broker

Again, the customs clearance procedure in India is not a simple one.

It can be quite daunting for importers with little or no experience in it.

Therefore, hiring a customs clearing agent is essential as he/she will be able to assist you in clearing your shipment at the port.

Step 8: Decide on a Shipping Mode

Depending on the destination, type and nature of goods, urgency and your budget, you should choose a suitable shipping mode.

The options available for shipping from China to India are air and sea freight.

You can also choose whether you want FCL, LCL, door-to-door or express shipping.

Your shipping agent should be in a position to advise you appropriately on this.

Step 9: Collect your Goods in India

After completing all the above steps and after you’ve confirmed that goods have arrived in China, you should collect them.

Remember that you can only assume ownership of goods after the correct customs procedures have been completed.

That is it.

A very simple process of importation.

Now before we move on to the shipping options from China to India, allow me to say the following:

That tight restrictions and unending bureaucracies characterize Indian customs system.

As such, importers to India often have to deal with the problems of delays and customs disputes due to one issue or the other.

In this regard, I advise that before importing from China to India, ensure that all your paperwork is in order.

Also, make sure that your imports abide by all the set customs rules and regulations.

This is the only way you can successfully import from China to India.

That said, let’s find out what transportation options you have for imports to India.

Chapter 2: Ocean Freight from China to India

To ship goods from China to India, you can have two options; to ship by air or by sea.

Sea freight is preferable for larger volume shipments and when time is not a constraint.

Sea freight if reliable, affordable and it does not limit you on what and how much cargo you can ship.

Keeping these facts in mind, allow me to tell you more about a few aspects of sea freight shipping.

2.1. Container Shipping Cost from China to India

Cost is a critical aspect of shipping from China to India.

With this in mind, you should know that there are many costs involved in shipping from China to India.

An understanding of all the associated costs of shipping from China to India is essential.

This is because, with this insight, you can be able to determine how best to price your products to enjoy profits.

Take this example for instance; a piece of furniture with a factory price of USD 500 in China may get to India at the cost of USD 600 depending on many factors.

Estimate freight rates calculator – Photo Courtesy: World Freight Rates

So what are the associated costs of shipping products from China to India?

The main costs involved in sea freight are;

1. Container shipping costs
2. Container handling costs
3. Insurance
4. Tax
5. Other surcharges, e., fuel surcharge

Now, to ship an FCL container from China to India might cost you about USD 2000 per 20GP container.

A 40GP container could cost you about USD3500.

If you avoid intermediaries, that price could drop back to about USD 500 to USD 800.

If shipping a partially full container (LCL), you could part with about USD 100 in container shipping costs plus handling charges.

Take note however that LCL shipping will take longer although it is far more economical if you have the time.

If you find that the cost of shipping an FCL container from China to India is too high for you, you could try consolidation of cargo.

This is where you club your goods with those of other shippers going your direction.

It will save you money, but as I said, you’ll have to wait.

So generally, there are a lot of variables that add up to the total cost of shipping a container from China.

So as you do your calculations remember that the total cost you’ll incur is varied.

It’ll include sea transportation costs, customs clearance, government taxes, warehousing, and insurance among other costs.

2.2. Major China to India Shipping Company

Apart from costs, knowing the companies that ship from ship to India could be essential to successful shipping.

 ZIM

Now some companies operate China to India route.

These include:

· ZIM

ZIM integrated shipping services ltd is an Israeli shipping company headquartered in Haifa, Israel.

The company runs one of the largest vessel fleets in the world calling close to 200 ports in more than 100 destinations worldwide.

You can consider ZIM shipping services if you’re shipping temperature sensitive items.

This is because ZIM is known to offer one of the best reefer shipping services in the region.

· MSC

MSC or Mediterranean shipping company is a worldwide recognized shipping company that ranks among the world’s top 20.

The company boasts of a 47,000 team of dedicated staff operating in their 480 offices across the globe.

As if that’s not enough, the company operates some of the largest shipping vessels.

Its current vessel fleet stands at a whopping 490 which includes container ships and RoRo vessels.

Not to mention that MSC operates more than 200 routes calling on over 500 ports in over 155 countries.

· COSCO

COSCO is China’s largest shipping company.

It ranks among the top 5 container shipping lines in the world.

Shipping with COSCO gives you the local advantage.

Basing on its Chinese origin, the company has specialized experience in shipping to countries in the region, including India.

Besides, COSCO has a large vessel fleet; this means that it is a company you can rely on for urgent shipping – they’ll never run out of shipping space.

Other companies include OOCL, SCI, HMM, and NYK.

2.3. China to India Sea Route

There are three main shipping routes from China to India.

Sea route from China to India – Photo courtesy: PORTS.COM

These are;

· Port of Shenzhen to the Port of Mumbai

This shipping route covers a distance of 4452 nautical miles taking a ship about 18.6 days to arrive at the Mumbai port in India.

The route starts at the port of Shenzhen in China through the South China Sea and then through Singapore and Malaysia coasts.

Form the Malaysian coast the ship gets to the Bay of Bengal where it joins the Indian Ocean.

From here, it goes through the Laccadive and Arabian seas before it finally lands docks at the port of Mumbai.

· Port of Guangzhou to the Port of Chennai

This route covers a total distance of 3714 nautical miles, and a ship takes about 15 ½ days at sea.

In this route, a ship leaves the port of Guangzhou through the South China Sea.

It then traverses to the Singaporean and Malaysian coasts through the Strait of Malacca.

From here the ship sails through the Andaman Sea and finally lands at the port of Chennai through the Bay of Bengal.

· Port of Tianjin to Port of NhavaSheva

This is one of the longest routes shipping from China to India.

Here, a ship leaves China through the port of Tianjin and the Bohai Sea.

It then moves to the yellow sea, goes through Taiwan to land at the East China Sea.

From here, the ship sails through the Hangzhou Bay and the Philippine Sea before it lands at the South China Sea.

It moves from the South China Sea through the Strait of Malacca to land at the Andaman bay heading to the Bay of Bengal.

From the Bay of Bengal, the ship connects with the Indian Ocean and goes through the Laccadive Sea where it joins the Arabian Sea.

It is here that it finally docks at the port of NhavaSheva after 25.2 days of sailing over 6040 nautical miles.

There are other routes for shipping from China to India by sea, but these are the main ones.

As you can see, there are longer routes and shorter ones which takes fewer days to deliver goods.

So choose a route that you’re comfortable with and that won’t drain your pocket too much.

Seaports in China and India

Having looked at the routes, these are the main ports that you can pick as your departure/origin port from China.

Sea ports in China

• Port of Shenzhen
• Port of Dalian
• Port of Tianjin
• Shanghai seaport
• Port of Ningbo
• Port of Qingdao
• Hong Kong seaport
• Xiamen seaport

Now China has more than 50 seaports. But not all of them are suitable for shipping from China to India.

Unlike China though, India doesn’t have that many ports.

The main ones used to receive imports from China are:

• The port of Kolkata situated in Kolkata
• The port of Mumbai which is the largest and busiest seaport in India. It is located in Maharashtra, Mumbai.
• The port of Jawaharlal Nehru popularly known as NhavaSheva. This port together with the Mumbai port handles almost 70% of Indian sea imports.
• There is also the ports of Bombay, Paradip, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam.

Now that you know the routes and ports let’s find out how long it takes to ship from China to India by sea.

2.4. Sea Freight Transit Times from China to India

How long it takes to ship from China to India depends on so many factors.

But mostly, it depends on the shipping company you choose. It also depends on the shipping services you opt for.

On average, it takes 15 days to 20 daysto ship products from China to India.

This is the transit time from a port in China to a port in India.

Note however that the waiting time until you finally receive goods at your destination in India could be longer.

This is because like most things in international freight, shipping time also depends on so many variables.

You have to factor in the time your supplier takes to prepare the shipment and avail it at the port of departure.

You also have to consider the time it will take to unload, clear and transport the cargo from the destination port to your final destination.

As you take note of the above factors, remember that transit time from China to India also depends on the distance from the origin port to the destination port.

The farther the distance, the longer the transit time and vice versa.

Here is a table with the estimated transit times from China to India

Destination port Origin port	Mumbai	NhavaSheva	Calcutta	Chennai
Shenzhen	17	15	15	12
Guangzhou	17	15	15	12
Shanghai	23	16	19	17
Dalian	25	20	22	21
Tianjin	23	18	21	20
Ningbo	21	14	19	17
Qingdao	23	16	19	18

 

That’s pretty much it about sea shipping from China.

Do you think it’s the right shipping mode for you?

No?

Maybe air freight is. Let’s find this out in the next chapter.

Chapter 3: Airfreight from China to India

Air freight is the fastest shipping method from China to India – takes only 5 days or less to get your goods from China to India.

It is suitable for lighter and smaller cargo as well cargo that’s time-bound.

Air India Cargo

Note however that although it is fast and reliable, air freight is way too costly than sea freight.

Here are elements about air freight from China to India that you may find useful:

3.1. Air freight Charges from China to India

As I’ve said, air freight is generally expensive than sea freight, especially if you are shipping goods weighing over 150 Kg.

But then, as they say, time is money and air shipping is all about the time you can save which could be worth more than the extra cost.

That said, air freight rates calculation is done based on the chargeable weight.

Chargeable weight is the highest weight between the cargo’s actual and dimensional weight.

For example, if the actual weight of your cargo is 110 kg and the dimensional weight is 80 kg.

Then charges will be based on the 110kgs.

But if the actual weight is 80kgs and the dimensional weight is 110 kg, then charges will be based on the dimensional weight of 110kgs.

Now note that air freight charges do not only depend on the weight of the cargo.

The volume of goods can also be used to calculate the charges.

This is especially if you’re shipping low-densitygoods.

Generally,however, air freight rates from China to India vary from about USD 2.5 TO USD 3 per kg.

The variance largely depends on the carrier, shipping distance, type of cargo, and sometimes on the value of the goods.

3.2. Main Airports in China

Just as it has many seaports, China also has very any international airports.

Airports in China

These include:

1. The Beijing capital international airport in Beijing
2. Guangzhou international airport in Guangdong, Guangzhou
3. Chengdu shuangilu international airport in Sichuan, Chengdu
4. Shanghai Pudong international airport located in Shanghai
5. Shenzhen Baoan international airport in Guangdong, Shenzhen
6. Kunming Changshui international airport in Yunnan
7. Shanghai Hongqiao international airport in Shanghai
8. Xi’an Xian Yang International Airport in Shaanxi, Xi’an
9. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in Chongqing
10. Hangzhou Xiao Shan International Airport in Hangzhou, Zhejiang
11. Nanjing Lukou International Airport Jiangsu, Nanjing
12. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport in Fujian, Xiamen
13. Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport Henan, Zhengzhou
14. Changsha Huanghua International Airport in Hunan, Changsha
15. Qingdao Liuting International Airport in Shandong, Qingdao

3.3. Main Airports in India

Now India is located in South Asia.

It is the 7^th largest country in the world and the 2^nd most populated.

India’s strong economy is considered one of the fastest growing.

The country is home to diverse habitats and a key import destination for Chinese merchandise.

Main airports in India

So if you’re planning to ship to India from China, you could use any of these as your destination airport:

· Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi international airport in Delhi is one of the largest and busiest airports of India.

The airport is located in NCR region of west Delhi and is named after the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

· Chennai International Airport

Chennai international airport is located 7 Km away from the city center.

It is the second largest cargo hub in India and the main international hub for cargo arrivals in south India.

The airport features an exquisite and ultra-modern design with excellent connectively to other transportation modes.

· Mumbai International Airport

Also known as ChhatrapatiShivaji International Airport, this is one of the largest and most important airports in South Asia.

The airport spreads over an area of 1,450 acres and has five operating terminals, with a dedicated air cargo complex located west of the international terminal 2.

This airport together with the Indira Gandhi airport handle over 50% of the country’s total freight traffic.

There are close to 20 major international airports in India. But these are the top 3 ones.

Others include; Bangalore, Kolkata, Trivandrum, Cochin, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune international airports.

3.4. Cargo Airlines from China to India

Several international air carriers make shipping cargo from China to India safe, unmatched and straightforward.

These companies are cost-effective and assure fast delivery of goods to various destinations in India.

They are:

i. Air India

ii. Cathay Pacific

iii. DHL aviation

iv. Lufthansa cargo

v. Uni-top airlines

vi. FedEx

vii. Etihad

viii. China Airlines

ix. Atlas Asia

x. Emirates sky cargo

xi. UPS airlines

Having an understanding of air freight basics, lets us now find out the many shipping options available from China to India.

Chapter 4: Options for Shipping Goods from China to India

There are several options for shipping items from China to India.

A suitable option for you, therefore, will depend on so many factors.

But mostly, it will depend on the nature of the goods you are shipping.

Here are the many options for shipping goods from China to India that you can consider:

· LCL shipping from China to India

LCL stands for ‘less than container load’ shipping.

It merely refers to a partially full shipping container.

You can book LCL shipping if your shipment is not enough to fill up a standard shipping container.

LCL Shipping

Usually, in LCL shipping, you will be required to find a consolidator who will consolidate your goods with that of other shippers.

These have to shippers shipping to the same destination as you.

· FCL shipping from China to India

If you’re shipping a large volume of goods that can fill up a standard shipping container, you can book FCL shipping.

FCL is an abbreviation of ‘full container load,’ and it is used to refer to a shipping container that is full.

FCL Shipping

Note however that to ship FCL, you don’t necessarily have to fill up a shipping container.

If your pocket allows, you can book and ship FCL even if your load isn’t large enough.

This means that you’ll have to cater for the cost of the remaining space in the container.

In other words, you pay to get the exclusive ownership of a shipping container space for the shipping duration.

· OOG shipping from China to India

If you are shipping goods with abnormal shapes or that are over-sized, then you can consider the OOG shipping option.

 OOG Shipping

OOG or ‘Out of gauge’ simply means that a good/cargo exceeds the standard dimensions of a normal shipping container.

In this regard, specialized vessels and containers are used to ship the goods.

Out of gauge goods include heavy machinery, agricultural and plant equipment, and helicopters.

· Ro-Ro shipping from China to India

RO-RO shipping is an option that’s available for those of you who want to ship wheeled cargo to India.

This type of cargo includes cars, buses, and trucks and is shipped using RO-RO vessels.

Ro Ro Shipping

You may wonder how this works.

Well, the truth is that RORO vessels are designed in such a way that cargo can be wheeled in and out of it with the aid of specialized machinery.

In this case, loaded cargo is wheeled into the vessel and fastened underdeck to avoid movement during transportation.

· Reefer shipping from China to India

Reefer is another name for refrigerated.

It is used to ship perishable or rather temperature sensitive items like dairy products, fruits, and vegetable, medicines, chemicals, meats, etc.

Reefer container for shipping

And as you can tell from the description, these goods are shipped in a sort of refrigerated container.

This helps to maintain the temperature and condition of the goods from the time they depart China to when they arrive in India.

· Drop shipping from China to India

If you own online business and don’t want to keep stock of goods, you can consider the drop shipping method.

Here, you only have to order a product that you want from an e-commerce platform like Ali express and have the supplier ship it directly to your customer.

Drop shipping

This means that at no point will you be in contact with the product.

The advantage of drop shipping is that you don’t have to deal with dead stock and the likes.

You only sell on order.

· Door to door shipping from China to India

When you are operating a busy schedule but need to ship a product/products from China to India, you can consider this option.

Door to door shipping

The door to door shipping involves a shipping agent picking your goods from a factory/warehouse in China and delivering at your door in India.

Your only role here is to provide the directions and specifications of how you want the goods to be shipped.

That’s it.

· Express shipping from China to India

Express shipping is a type of air shipping option where your goods are delivered based on the urgency.

For instance, if you have important documents that you need to transport from China to India or valuable jewelry that can’t go through the standard air and sea freight options.

Express shipping

Note that express shipping is expensive but very fast and reliable.

You can have your package delivered from China to India overnight or at most in 3 days depending on the urgency.

Companies that offer this service include FedEx, DHL, EMS, and UPS.

They handle everything from shipping to customs clearance, and they do it fast.

The only things you’ll be doing if shipping express is to provide the package, destination details, and payment, that’s all.

There you have it.

These are the main shipping options from China to India.

Remember each option is suitable for specific types of goods.

So you cannot expect to ship perishable goods in a normal container as the goodwill go bad while still in transit.

Similarly, you cannot ship a helicopter in a 20GP container as it obviously cannot fit in it.

So choose your options accordingly.

Chapter 5: Alibaba Shipping from China to India

A mistake most beginner importers from China to India make is thinking that Alibaba is a sourcing website for goods.

Well, sorry to disappoint you but no!

Alibaba does not make or sell any products.

What they do is list suppliers with information on what they do/offer.

They are more like a search engine for suppliers in China.

This means that on Alibaba, you can get information on suppliers for any product you want from China.

Alibaba

Now, as you can already tell, an easier way of finding Chinese suppliers is through Alibaba.

The question is how do you go about searching and actually sourcing items from Alibaba to India?

How to Source Products from Alibaba to India

As you’re about to find out, the process of sourcing from Alibaba to India is simple.

The basic steps that you’ll need to take are:

1. Open a user account with Alibaba
2. After signing up, you proceed to search for the product that you want
3. Alibaba will provide you with a list of suppliers offering the product you’re looking for
4. From this list, you can select suppliers that appeal most to you
5. You’ll then contact these suppliers to verify their credibility by asking questions about their experience, ability to handle your order, etc.
6. You’ll then single out a supplier that meets most of your requirements
7. After which, you’ll request for a product sample (if you have to) to help verify the quality you’ll be getting
8. If the sample does not meet your specifications, you can request for changes
9. The next step after that would be to negotiate the price per unit and possibly the minimum order requirement as these are usually set high
10. Once you agree with the supplier, you can proceed to work out the fees involved from manufacturing, packaging, shipping, customs, duty, etc.
11. Find a local China to India freight forwarder and a trustworthy customs broker that’ll handle your shipment from China to India.
12. Instruct the freight forwarder on how you want the item delivered to India and work out the possible costs involved
13. Finally, the products can be shipped from China to your final destination in India

Simple, right?

I told you that sourcing items from Alibaba to India is not difficult.

All you need is to identify a product and be aware of the costs of shipping from Alibaba to your destination in India.

Understand though that the cost of shipping from Alibaba largely varies depending on the volume of products you’re shipping.

The trick, therefore, would be to avoid using intermediaries as this is where most of your money will go to.

Avoiding intermediaries will help save you a significant amount of money.

The only persons that you’ll be needing in your supply chain will be the supplier, freight forwarder and a customs broker (if you have to).

Buying from Alibaba

Also, understand that successful shipping from Alibaba to India is more of a numbers game.

The more information and quotes you get, the better placed you are to make the right decisions.

Another thing, never fear walking away.

As the buyer, you hold the cards.

No one will hold you at ransom for not agreeing with their price or sale terms.

If something does not interest you or align with your buyer principles then simply walk away.

Well, good luck if you opt to ship from Alibaba to India.

Let us now tackle some of the common questions you may have about international shipping from China to India.

Chapter 6: International Shipping from China to India FAQs

At this point, I know that you have a lot of questions about shipping from China to India.

Port of Mumbai

Well, allow me to answer a few of those questions in this chapter.

1. Is there a cheap shipping option from China to India?

Well, not precisely.

This is because shipping costs vary depending on so many factors like shipping mode, type of goods, shipping distance, and carrier.

A trick would be to find ways to lower your shipping costs depending on the above factors.

2. How can I lower the cost of importing from China to India?

For one, you can begin by choosing a shipping mode that’s best suited for the quantity and type of goods.

For example, air freight for urgent deliveries and the sea for not so urgent and large volumes of goods.

Also, shop around. Don’t just go with the first option you get.

Look for the best rates possible by comparing various quotes from various shipping companies.

Another thing, try to reduce your LCL shipments.

It is known in international freight than the more you ship, the lower the costs and vice versa.

Lastly, work on building long-term relations with freight forwarders, carriers, and suppliers.

This way, it is easy for you to negotiate discounts.

3. On freight forwarders, should I work with one based in China or an Indian based one?

I would appreciate greatly advise that you use a China-based freight forwarder.

He/she is best places to keep close touch with suppliers and keep you informed of everything with concerning the shipping process.

4. How do I find the best freight forwarder?

Just consider essential elements like experience, reliability, staff size, services offered, and associations.

These will help you figure out if the forwarder is right for you or not.

5. Is a bill of entry mandatory when shipping from China to India?

Yes, a bill of entry is necessary for successful customs clearance in India.

6. How do I file a bill of entry in India?

There are two options for this; filing online and filing manually.

Online filing can be done via the customs house agent CHA website or through electronic data exchange centers in your respective customs station.

For manual filing, you will need to fill four hard copies of the bill of entry form.

These are available at the customs stations where you will be clearing your goods.

Copies of the forms will, however, have to be submitted to CHA for verification and approval.

Note that you will need an IEC code to file for the bill of entry.

So make sure you have it on time.

7. Can I ship from China without going there myself?

Yes.

You can do this by booking door to door shipping.

Here the freight forwarder will pick the goods from your supplier and arrange for their delivery to you in India.

8. What are the incoterms?

Incoterms are international logistic terms.

They are used to define the obligations of the buyer and seller for shipment at various stages of shipping.

9. What are the common incoterms used for importing from China to India?

There is quite a number.

There is EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, CFR, DDU, and DDP.

10. What is the best incoterm for shipping from China to India?

FOB or CIF.

They are less expensive, time-consuming and less strenuous.

11. How should I make payments to customs, suppliers and even the shipping agent?

The safest way to pay for shipping costs is via wire transfer or using a letter of credit.

Other methods that could use are PayPal, credit card or cash.

Although these are not entirely safe.

12. When should I pay?

After delivery of service or make part payments before, during and after delivery of service.

13. When shipping from China to India, is cargo insurance necessary?

Yes, cargo insurance is necessary particularly when shipping high-value goods.

It’ll help assure you of compensation in case a risk occurs, i.e., when goods are lost, stolen or damaged during transit.

14.  How long does EMS shipping take from China to India?

It depends on the destination you are shipping and customs clearance speed.

But usually, EMS takes about -10 days to ship from China to India.

15. What is the best shipping line from China to India?

The aspect of the best shipping line is relative.

It depends on various factors like urgency, shipping mode, price, service, type of goods and destination.

Chapter 7: JMS Your Trusted Freight Forwarder from China to India

Now, if you are looking for a reliable, affordable and fast shipping partner from China to India, you’ve got us, JMS China.

We provide affordable shipping charges with first class shipping services from China to India.

What makes us commendable is our experience in the industry.

12 years has been a long time to help us understand the market and the needs of our clients.

As such, we’ve been able to tailor our services to suit the demands of our customers.

Besides, we have very wide relations with major carriers and airlines in the industry.

Because of this, we guarantee you enough shipping space with the best quality carriers and at competitive rates.

The best part is that we can ship any kinds of goods from any city in China to wherever in India.

Our freight services range from the following;

• Sea freight
• Air freight
• Door-to-door
• FCL and LCL shipping
• Fast customs clearance
• Warehousing and distribution– we provide free warehousing for a maximum of 30 days
• Paperwork and documentation
• Pickup and delivery
• Cargo insurance and loading supervision

Think we are your ideal freight forwarder? Then Contact us now for a free quote.

Conclusion

From the information given herein, you can tell that shipping from China to India isn’t as complicated as it sounds.

The best part is that following this guide can help you avoid any complications that may arise when shipping from China to India.

So don’t take any of the information provided here for granted.

Happy shipping!

Learn More:

• Importing from China: The Definitive Guide
• Incoterms 201: The Definitive Guide 2018
• Shipping Container: The Definitive Guide for Your Goods Shipping in 2018
• Top Tips for Sour
• cing Products at Trade Fairs in China