“From China to India – Simple Guide
India is a fast-growing country and a huge market for products made by Chinese factories. It has a large population, stable economy and strong port infrastructure. 95% of the country’s international trade is carried out through ports.
There are 13 major seaports and 176 minor seaports in the country. If you are wondering how to import goods from China to India to start your own business, then this guide will prove to be very helpful.
Shipping from China to India
Depending on the volume and weight of your cargo, you can choose between two ocean freight solutions, Less Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL).
LCL
LCL cargo occurs when the shipper’s cargo occupies only a portion of the interior space of the container. Freight forwarders consolidate shipments from multiple customers and send them from the same location to the same location within a single container. This is perfect for you if you’re shipping smaller shipments. Check out our ultimate LCL guide to learn more.
FCL
In this type of transportation, the shipper leases the entire container for his cargo. It may also be more economical to choose to ship by FCL if you need to ship large quantities of more than half a container. This will also give you exclusive rights to the container, giving you more control over how your cargo is packed and placed inside.
In addition to choosing LCL or FCL shipments, you also need to consider whether your shipment is a “”general cargo””, which does not require any specific conditions, or a “”special cargo”” with temperature, dimensions or other specifications. So, below are the most common container types you need to choose from −
Dry Cargo Container: Standard container, 20ft and 40ft in length, usually used to transport general cargo.
Open Top Containers: These do not have top lids, making it easier to load and unload products such as machinery or packaging that cannot fit within the height constraints of the container.
Flatbed Containers: They only have walls at the ends of the container, so cargo can be loaded from the top or the side. These are best for transporting large units such as cars, boats and other types of machinery.
Side-Opening Containers: These containers typically have doors that open at one end of their length, making it easier to access the entire length of the container for loading and unloading of specific sized cargo.
Refrigerated Containers: These are covered and/or insulated to control temperature and are used to transport liquids, chemicals and perishables and other goods that require refrigeration.
Shipping time from China to India
Sea freight usually takes 14 to 24 days to complete the journey from China to India. The number of days required varies depending on the port of origin and destination and the route taken by the shipping company.
Air Freight from China to India
This shipping method is preferred if you are importing high value goods from China. However, this shipping method can be slightly more expensive compared to ocean shipping. It is also the fastest way to import goods from China to India.
Air cargo is divided into general cargo and special cargo according to whether special handling is required.
General cargo
Goods that do not require any special handling or care are ordinary goods. They include items such as household goods, office equipment, sports equipment, apparel, jewelry, electronics, hardware, machinery, and apparel.
special cargo
These are goods that require special handling, eg – they need to be packaged in specific materials and/or stored at specific temperatures. Human remains and organs, live animals, perishables, high-value items such as gold and diamonds, tissue samples, artwork, agricultural products, hazardous materials, and more fall into this category. Oversized cargo, including oversized cargo such as heavy machinery, vehicles, boats, factory components or generators that take up a lot of space, is also classified as special cargo.
rail freight
Despite sharing borders, there is no well-developed railway network between China and India. This mode of transportation is very expensive because there is no direct connection between the two countries. The transit time from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai is about 15
Delivery Service
When requesting samples from any supplier, you can choose express service from China. When choosing this service, there are restrictions on cargo weight and dimensions. If you want home delivery within 2-3 days, then this is the shipping method you need to rely on.
Important Indian ports for shipments from China
The major Indian ports that handle most of the shipping between China and India are as follows.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT)
JNPT on the west coast, also known as Nhava Sheva, is India’s largest container port. JNPT manages 55% of India’s containerized cargo and is the focal point for imports from China. This port is well connected with most Chinese ports.
Chennai Port
The Port of Chennai (formerly Madras) is the second largest port in India, handling container traffic. Located on the east coast, the port of Chennai is an important gateway for telecom components and equipment for many Chinese companies operating in India. It is also a major port for importing auto parts from China.
Port of Kolkata
The Port of Kolkata (together with Haldia) is the second busiest port on the east coast of India. Due to its strategic location, it is one of the favorite destination ports for North Indian importers who find it easier to reach than Chennai. The port also provides strong hinterland connectivity to eastern and northeastern India. A large number of heavy and light engineering products from China are shipped to the port.
Vizag Port
The Port of Vizag is another major seaport on the east coast and provides good connectivity for Chinese imports. Although not a major port, it provides Chinese ports with direct links to Nepal with low port charges. The port handles large quantities of minerals and petroleum products.
Candela Port
Port Candela, also known as Port Dindayar, is located in the state of Gujarat. Known for its connectivity and proximity to the North Indian region, the port mainly handles bulk cargoes. The port mainly handles heavy machinery, textiles and chemicals imported from China.
Main routes of China to India route
The shipping lines that most frequently ship cargo from China to India are COSCO, OOCL, Maersk, One Line, CMA CGM, MSC, Hyundai, KMTC, Evergreen, Wan Hai and RCL.
Which is cheaper to ship from China to India?
Importing goods from China to India, it is imperative to know a cheap shipping method.
So, if the product weight is 200kg, you can use express shipping from China to India, such as DPEX, Aramex, etc.
It is cheaper than FedEx, DHL, UPS and other shipping services.
If the product weight is between 200-500kg, air freight from China to India is the most cost-effective option.
Or if your shipping item weighs less than 15 CBM, you may need to hire LCL sea freight from China to India to assist you with shipping, which is the most cost-effective option.
If you’re shipping an item that weighs more than 15 CBM, such as industrial equipment or furniture, you’ll need a FCL.
China to India customs clearance
All shipments between China and India are subject to the customs regulations of both countries. Customs clearance involves inspection, assessment and payment of duties and taxes at origin and destination. Since this is an unavoidable and critical part of international trade, it is important to understand customs clearance requirements and necessary documents.
Documents Required to Clear Air Cargo in India
Bill of Lading (BL)
Delivery Note (DO)
purchase order
Proforma Invoice/Commercial Invoice
letter of credit, if any
Certificate of Insurance
Health Certificate (Food)
Certificate of Origin
Bill of Entry (BOE)
Product Test Report
GATT and DGFT Statement
Cargo Insurance
Because we are always at risk of something bad happening, if the loss of your cargo could be fatal to your business, it is imperative that you have advanced coverage for your cargo through insurance.
Should I choose a freight forwarder in China or India?
When importing from China, it is always best to choose a freight forwarder in China, regardless of the shipping method. China freight forwarders are ideal for overseas shippers because it has language and geographical advantages, and you also need a warehouse for storage and preparation. An experienced Chinese freight forwarder will have the following competencies: Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, a thorough understanding of Chinese business culture, experience in managing Chinese suppliers, experience in category and purchasing process, experience in quality control, experience in auditing, and experience in logistics. Local Freight forwarders (from India) often need to contact other agents in China to handle picking, preparation, storage and customs clearance.
TJ-chinafreight is your right choice, with more than 20 years of experienced staff adhering to the mission of “”we deliver faster, safer and easier””, to provide customers with high-quality, professional and fast logistics solutions.”
