How to Import Products from China to India - Requirements & Process
For Indian entrepreneurs, SMEs, and established companies, importing from China has become one of the most profitable and fast-growing business opportunities. Flexible process, vast assortment of products, and world-class production capacity help reaffirm China’s supremacy as India’s most popular sourcing hub. China maintains its status as one of India’s largest trading partners. The economic relationship continues to strengthen, with Indo-China bilateral trade exceeding USD 100 billion in FY 2023-24.
Importing from China can lead to extraordinary growth for Indian businesses-but only when you follow the right process. Importing does not consist of just choosing a product and ordering it. You must first receive an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), find a reliable supplier, arrange for shipping, prepare the required material, import the product with the necessary Bill of Entry, pay any duties, and comply with relevant legal standards in India, like BIS CRS (as required). In this blog, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to import products from China to India and simplify the process.
Is BIS Certification Required to Import Products from China?
Yes, a BIS certification is mandatory for numerous products imported from China to India, if such products fall in the scope of India's Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Products must fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which ensures that the goods meet the relevant standards related to safety, quality, and performance criteria.
Please be aware, BIS is product-specific, not across-the-board, so it is important that you verify if your product falls under mandatory BIS/CRS prior to placing your order. If you would like, I can check your product category and confirm with you if there is a requirement for BIS.
How to get a BIS certificate for China import?
Below, you can go through the step-by-step process on how to Import electronic items from China to India:
- Obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC): The IEC code is a mandatory 10-digit code issued by DGFT that allows any importer or seller to import products into India. You can easily apply through the DGFT portal, and approval is usually granted within one or two days.
- Select a Product and Verify Regulations: Before importing your product, kindly check whether it falls under any restricted, prohibited, or regulated category. This includes verifying import duties, licensing needs, and compliance requirements such as BIS, WPC, FSSAI, or CDSCO, depending on the product type.
- Locate and Confirm a Dependable Supplier: Investigate and locate reliable manufacturers/exporters in China using marketplaces such as Alibaba, Global Sources, or by contacting the factory directly. Follow up with your supplier regarding a sample or two, evaluate the quality of product and more.
- Ensure Product is Compliant (BIS/CRS/WPC, etc.): Many products imported into India require some form of mandatory certification according to Indian standards. If your product comes under any of the products that require compliance with a Quality Control Order or Government regulation, ensure that you have obtained BIS Certification, CRS registration, and FMCS Certification to export to India, etc.
- Organize Logistics and Shipping: Once the order is confirmed, you can engage a freight forwarder to help manage the shipment of the order to you. Depending on your shipment cost and delivery time requirements, you will use either Air Freight, Sea Freight, or Courier.
- Organization of All Import Documentation: You will also be required to organize all necessary documentation. The required documents include: the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (Ocean) or Airway Bill (Air), Certificate of Origin, insurance documents, and any compliance certificates.
- Follow Indian Customs Procedures: Your customs broker will submit a Bill of Entry to Indian Customs, after which you will need to pay all applicable import duties, IGST, and surcharges. Customs may also want to check the goods for product value, classification, and compliance.
- Customs Clearance and Delivery: After your customs clearance is handled and duties are paid, customs will release the shipment to you. Your freight agent will arrange the final transportation of the goods to your warehouse, and you can begin the process of selling and/or distributing your goods in the Indian market.
Top 10 Products imported from China to India
Below you can go through the list of products imported from China to India:
|
Rank |
Product Category |
Examples |
|
1 |
Electronic and Electrical Equipment |
Semiconductors, mobile phones, telecom equipment, electronics parts, LCDs, keyboards, and USB flash drives |
|
2 |
Machinery, Nuclear Reactors, and Boilers |
Industrial machinery, data processing machines, and machine parts |
|
3 |
Furniture |
Pharmaceutical ingredients and industrial chemicals |
|
4 |
Plastics and Plastic Articles |
Polymers, packaging materials, and household plastic goods |
|
5 |
Optical, Photographic, Medical, and Technical Instruments |
Medical devices, precision instruments, and surgical tools |
|
6 |
Iron and Steel |
Primary forms of iron and steel |
|
7 |
Fertilizers |
Chemical fertilizers like DAP and urea |
|
8 |
Vehicles (other than railway/tramway) and Auto Parts |
Cars, motorcycles, and various vehicle components |
|
9 |
Articles of Iron or Steel |
Products made from iron and steel |
|
10 |
Miscellaneous Chemical Products |
A broad category including various other chemical goods |
Mandatory Documents Required for Import from China to India
Go through the mandatory documents required for the BIS Certificate for Import from China to India, these documents may vary according to the product type:
- Importer Exporter Code (IEC) – Compulsory for all imports
- GST Registration Certificate
- PAN Card of the importer
- Authorized Dealer (AD) Bank Details
- Import License (only if the product is restricted)
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Proforma Invoice / Sales Contract
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB)
- Certificate of Origin (COO)
- Insurance Certificate
- Test Reports (if applicable)
- Mandatory Compliance Certificates (Product-Specific)
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) – for chemicals
- Product Catalog / Technical Write-up – for technical goods
- Inspection Certificate – if pre-shipment inspection is required
- Freight Certificate – for customs valuation
Import Duties and Taxes in India
When importing items from China into India, there are many import restrictions from China to India. Buyers are responsible for a Basic Customs Duty (BCD), and are also subject to an Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) and a Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS). Additionally, there may be other fees (e.g., anti-dumping duties or handling fees). The rate of duty is based on the HS code assigned to each product, which is calculated as a percentage of the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value.
Common Challenges While Importing from China and How to Avoid Them
Common challenges when importing products from China include many challenges. To avoid these issues, you must have a top BIS Consultant like ERCS Private Limited to help you through the certification process.
- Unreliable or Fake Suppliers
How to avoid: Research the supplier’s business license, look at reviews, ask for samples, conduct a factory audit, and pay with a secure method (i.e., LC or Alibaba Trade Assurance). - Customs Delays and Documentation
How to avoid: Work with a customs broker who has relevant experience and make sure you have all the documents prepared (Invoice, Packing List, BL or AWB, COO, BIS certificates, etc. ), accurate and complete. - Hidden or Unexpected Costs of Importing
How to avoid: Calculate the total landed cost ahead of time - that includes duties, logistics & fees, and any additional local costs. - Communication and Language Barriers
How to avoid: Be as clear as possible in the written communication, use product drawings, and confirm in the signed contract. - Shipping Delays and Logistics Issues
How to avoid: Plan shipments ahead of schedule, use a reliable freight forwarder, track shipments, and allow buffer time in your delivery strategy.
Conclusion
Although importing goods from China to India at first glance can seem complex, once a structured approach is worked out, you will find the whole process to be a pleasant and very lucrative one. Manufacturers and sellers have many doubts regarding imports, such as how to import electronics from China to India. In the above blog, we have mentioned all the required information regarding the import of Chinese products. The whole process involves finding reputable manufacturers, being compliant with BIS, customs compliance, shipping, and all the stages in a typical import journey are important to your fledgling import business running smoothly.
Anushka Pandey
Content Writer
She is an experienced content writer at ERCS Pvt. Ltd., an organization that assists companies with certification and regulatory support. She writes informative content on government certifications su... Read More »
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