Shipping from China to India by air, sea or express since 2009.
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Your Best Freight Forwarder from China to India
Assisting you with your shipment from China to India is a top priority for us. We have extensive experience in shipping from any address or port in China to India and will work quickly so that deadlines can be met or exceeded. No matter it is Door to door or door to airport or seaport.
Our rates might seem high at first glance – but when considering what it takes on both ends of the process (from picking up inventory until delivering goods), they’re very reasonable prices indeed because we take care not just about getting things done fast; also factor-in how quick everything gets delivered too…
Whether you need Express, sea, or air freight service with a quick turnaround time; our team will ensure that all of your needs are met and exceeded. We have a wide variety of options for your goods, if an individual shipment is too large to handle we can also provide door-to-door service as well.
One-stop Shipping Solutions from China to India
Air Freight from China to India
DFH offers great shipping rates from any airport in China to India, especially those located at Shenzhen or Guanghzhou.
Ocean Freight China to India
DFH is a China Leading ocean freight forwarder who offers very competitive rates for FCL and LCL shipments from China to any sea port
Express Freight from China to India
FedEx, UPS and DHL are the three most popular shipping methods that offer fast Delivery to India within 3-5days for a small fee of course.
DDU & DDP Delivery
from China to India
The Chinese self-developed channel, fast deliveries and time saving with competitive price customs clearance Taxfree. DDP delivery goods by sea or air to combine with Express Freight.
Shipping from China Alibaba to India
DFH team provide safely and high efficiency Services for Shipping from China Alibaba to any address in India by Express, Air, Ocean, and Rail Combined routes.
More Services When Shipping from China to India
Warehousing and Distribution
We Offer 50days Free of Charge Warehousing for Clients
Pick Up
Pickup at Any address Within China Mainland, Help to Save time and Cost
Packing & Repacking
Provide Free Pakcing and Repacking service,Which help you to make all steps smoothly and easily
Cargo Insurance
Help To buy Cargo Insurance 30% Lower than you buy yourself.
Import/Export
Custom clearance
We have Stone Custom Clearance team oversea and Within China,To Help your shipments Custom.
Quality Inspection
We can Help to provide Quality Inspect vedios and reports by Profesional quality inspection team
Label products and Outer Cartons
Labeling products or cartons for Shipments to Amazon or Dropshiping products
Customized Solutions
No matter your Shipments is small or big, We always can customize shipping solution to meet the rquirement
Why Choose DFH to Help Arrange
shipments from China to India
- Safe and Efficiency Delivery
- 10+ Years Experiences of Shipping from China
- 24/7 Online services
- Competitive Price Guarantee
- Profesional Customer service Team
- One-Stop Solutions
- Door to Door Delivery
- Consolidate and Distribution service
- Full Set Paper Work and help to make shipping documents
- Personal and Business Shipments both Acceptable
- Strong Custom Clean Team in&out of China
- Varieties of Shipping routes to meet your Customized shipping requirements
Procedures of Shipping from China to India
Make Quotation and Confirm Shipping Method
Contact supplier to Arrange Pick up
Prepare Shipping Documents. Goods Inspection before Loading
Export Customs Clearance Help Buy Insurance if needed
International Shipping
Import Customs clean
Final Mile Transport From air or sea port
Delivered to your destination or Amazon Warehouse.
Shipping from China to India- The Ultimate and Complete Guide| 2022
China and India are the two most populous countries in the world, and they both share a border. As a result of this proximity, there’s always a high volume of trade between them. As recently as 2021, India imported over $97.51 billion worth of goods from China.
If you’re one of the many importers and businesses constantly looking for easier ways to ship goods from China to India, then you’re in the right place. With our decade-long experience in international shipping from China to India, we decided to make this article to serve as a comprehensive guide that answers all questions about air or sea shipping from China to India.
This article will cover all the information on shipping goods from China to India, the best shipping methods, the transit time, and their cost implications. We would also analyze the customs duties and expenses you should look out for.
How to start shipping from China to India?
When you make up your mind to import goods from China to India, some steps are expected for you to take. They include the following.
Hire a freight forwarder
International shipping is a challenging process that can become chaotic if you don’t know what you’re doing. To navigate the various intricacies of shipping from China to India, it is best to hire an experienced and reliable freight forwarder.
A reliable freight forwarder will handle the transportation from when your inventory leaves your factory until it reaches its destination.
DFH Global Logistics has years of experience handling this service. Reach out to us right away so we can start assisting with your shipment.
Define your shipment's Incoterms
The term “Incoterm” might be unfamiliar if you have never shipped anything internationally. When importing and exporting goods, buyers and sellers are assigned duties and responsibilities under internationally recognized rules and terms known as Incoterms. They cover who is in charge of getting insurance, preparing shipping and customs documents, paying for and keeping track of shipments, and other shipping-related tasks.
Before continuing, ensure you are familiar with these and understand the Incoterms for your shipping. The major incoterms often used are FOB, EXW, and DDP.
Decide what to import.
Most likely, you already know what products your business can offer. Make sure there is a market for your products in India to ensure success from a business perspective. This can be done by knowing what products sell well in India, researching to determine how much to import, and estimating the costs associated with producing, marketing, and delivering those products to your customers.
Additionally, this is the time to check to see if the Indian government has any restrictions or prohibitions on any goods you’re thinking of importing.
If you’re unsure where to start your importing journey, check the popular Chinese marketplace Alibaba.com. You’ll definitely find the types of goods you plan to buy.
Check trade laws in China and India.
China and India have different policies that change often, so ensure you’re aware of the current restrictions and regulations involved in international trade. Find out now what paperwork you’ll need to have available so your cargo can pass customs without problems.
Choose a shipping method.
There are two basic methods of international shipping to India; air freight and sea freight. Choosing the best option depends on the size and type of goods being shipped, your budget cap for shipping, and the time urgency of the goods you have to ship.
Read on as we discuss the major shipping methods to India, so you know the best option to choose.
Find a supplier
It is very important to find the right supplier in China that can deliver the exact product you need to be produced. You can check through popular Chinese marketplaces like Alibaba and Taobab to determine the supplier that bests suits your needs.
Also, if you already have high-quality freight forwarders, they ought to already have a wide variety of suppliers with whom they have partnered and can assist you by suggesting good suppliers.
To understand more about finding suppliers in China, read our article here.
Best Shipping solutions from China to India
China and India share geographical borders, and there are several options for shipping from China to India. These include Express freight, air freight, ocean freight, rail freight, and road freight.
However, despite sharing borders, China and India do not have a well-developed rail network between them, making rail freight quite expensive and slow (15 days) between the two countries.
Now, let’s explore the various shipping methods available to importers willing to ship from China to India.
Express Freight
DHL/UPS/FEDEX express from China to India are some of the biggest air couriers that offer express shipping services.
Express shipping is a very fast and stress-free mode of shipping goods. You can feel secure knowing that your belongings are traveling quickly to their destination because they all have solid reputations for dependability.
However, it has the downside of being more expensive than other shipping methods. Thus, if you have heavier goods to ship that are not time-sensitive or urgent, you should consider using other shipping methods.
Air Freight
Air freight is a form of shipping cargo through air freight carriers or airlines. India has well-developed cargo airports that can receive air freight shipments from countries worldwide, especially China.
Air freight is a cheaper alternative to Express shipping of goods and a fast shipping method.
It is the best option when shipping urgent, high-value cargo from China to India.
Two advantages of air shipping that shouldn’t be disregarded are its greater scheduling flexibility and controllable goods flow.
What is the weight limit for air freight from China to India?
There is no specific weight limit for air freight from China to India, as this will depend on several factors, including the size and type of cargo being shipped, the volume and density of the shipment, and the regulations that apply to air freight in both countries.
Generally, most shipments are subject to weight limits varying between 50kg and 100kg per package or parcel. Additionally, certain commodities may be subject to additional weight or size restrictions. You should consult with your shipping provider or an international logistics expert to obtain accurate information about the weight limits for air freight from China to India.
What products are illegal to ship via air cargo from China to India?
Here are some goods that are prohibited from shipping by air freight from China to India. Note that some of these goods are generally prohibited, not only with air freight.
Narcotics and any form of drugs
Weapons and firearms
Products made from endangered wildlife and animals
Animal products
Firecrackers
Pirated goods
Oral and nasal drugs
Military equipment
Toxic and dangerous materials
Obscene materials.
Door to Door Air shipping from China to India
Door to Door air shipping is done with DDP Air freight. It is used from China to India for time-sensitive, semi-bulky goods that would otherwise be too expensive with express freight. It usually takes about 3-9 days to arrive and can be delivered directly to the buyer’s premises, whether at a private or commercial address or an Amazon FBA warehouse.
We handle all import customs clearances, extra duties, and logistics paperwork during the flight and use air couriers to ensure fast delivery wherever you are in India.
Air Express from China to India (Air combined with Express)
Many international courier services offer air freight express shipping. This shipping is faster than regular air freight but costs higher too. DHL, UPS, and FedEx are some shipping companies offering these services.
Sea freight from China to India.
Sea shipping from china to India is the most popular method of transporting goods, primarily due to its adaptability and reliability.
The main drawback of sea freight is how long it takes; other shipping methods can deliver cargo in a matter of days, but sea freight takes weeks, depending on the type of cargo being shipped and the specific arrival and departure ports.
The proximity of India to China has additional shipping benefits since the entire shipping process can be more convenient.
Sea freight uses containers and operates under two different container systems, which are explained below.
LCL shipping from China to India
China to India sea freight can be done through LCL shipping. LCL shipments stand for less than container load shipments. In LCL sea shipping, goods from different importers are combined in a container, with each importer paying only for the space their goods occupy.
LCL container shipping is simple; you contact a freight forwarder and provide them with the necessary information. Once the freight forwarder has determined your required space, they will reserve it for you.
LCL shipments work best for small freights or cargo between 1 and 15 cubic meters that don’t require a full container space.
FCL shipping from China to India
Shipping containers from China to India can also be done with FCL shipments, known as “full container loads.” In FCL sea shipping, an importer purchases an entire container and fills it with goods.
Even though the container was made to hold large shipments, your cargo does not need to fill it when shipping by full container load; in some cases, it is more cost-effective to ship half a container load using FCL than LCL.
Door to Door sea freight from China to India.
Sea freight remains the cheapest way of shipping from China to India. DFH also offers door-to-door services to deliver your goods straight from your China supplier to your destination in India.
We use LCL shipping to ship your goods except otherwise specified. Your goods are expected to arrive in India within 25 days.
How long does it take to ship from China to India?
Transit time from China to India depends on the following factors:
The shipping method and shipping route used.
The size and type of goods transported.
The specific cargo and departure ports, i.e., port-to-port distance
The shipping carrier used.
It is often difficult to estimate the shipping time from China to India. We can, however, try to provide average transit times for each shipping method.
How long does Air freight take from China to India?
Air freight transit time from China to India depends on the distances between the ports. These distances vary greatly because China and India are large countries, despite their proximity.
How long does Ocean freight take from China to India?
The transit time for ocean freight between China and India depends on the port-to-port distance and shipping carrier used.
Despite China and India being close, there are significant differences between the longest and shortest routes because both countries have enormous landmasses.
Look at the table below for an estimated transit time for shipping.
How long does Express Freight from China to India?
The express shipping option is the quickest shipping solution for China-to-India shipping.
With this method, your cargo can arrive in India within 1-3 days by FEDEX express, DHL Express, and UPS express. It is also a door-to-door shipping service, which saves importers so much stress and hassles.
How Do You Calculate Freight Weight For Shipping From China To India?
There are two different ways to calculate freight costs: volumetric weight-based calculations and gross weight-based calculations. Air freight carriers calculate their fees both ways, choosing the heavier weight as the chargeable weight to maximize revenue.
Always discuss with your freight forwarding company to get the best weight calculations and reduce costs.
How much does Shipping from China to India Cost？
Here are the expected costs for air cargo, ocean freight, and express shipping from China to India.
Air Freight Shipping costs from China to India.
Air freight costs from China to India per kg depending on the type of goods shipped, their weight, and the airline used. Standard air freight is the most affordable option for 150 and 500-kg shipments.
Air freight costs do not have a flat shipping rate—the heavier the goods, the lesser the weight per kg, as seen in the table below.
Weight | Air Freight Cost |
0 – 45kg | $7 – $10 |
46kg – 100kg | $6 – $9 |
101kg – 300kg | $5 – $7 |
301kg – 500kg | $5 – $6 |
Ocean Freight Shipping costs from China to India
Chinese Seaport | Indian Seaport | LCL cost per cbm | 20FT Cost | 40FT Cost |
Shanghai | Hyderabad | $55 – $120 | $1400 – $2000 | $3000 – $3000 |
Hong Kong | Chennai | $80 – $150 | $1400 – $2000 | $2700 – $3000 |
Ningbo | Kolkata | $60 – $129 | $1500 – $2000 | $3000 – $3500 |
Qingdao | Mumbai | $80 – $150 | $1500 – $2050 | $3200 – $3500 |
Shenzhen | Jawaharlal Nehru Port | $40 – $80 | $1400 – $2000 | $2500 – $3000 |
Shenzhen | Kandla | $50 – $100 | $1400 – $2000 | $2500 – $3000 |
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A 40 Feet Container From China To India?
The cost of a 40 ft container shipping from China to India during ocean freight depends on the arrival and destination ports and the shipping route.
Generally, during ocean shipping, a 40ft container from the port of Shanghai to Mumbai in India costs around $3000 to $3500. Contact us to get a quote for your specific shipment.
Express Shipping costs from China to India
The cost of Express freight from China to India is determined by the goods shipped, their weight, and the packaging size.
You can check directly on the air courier’s website or contact us to give you a quote for the shipment of your goods.
DHL Express shipping costs from China to India
Generally, you should pay between $12 – $15 per kg for DHL express from China to India.
UPS shipping costs from China to India
You should pay around $15 per kg for UPS express from China to India.
FEDEX shipping costs from China to India
FedEx Express India shipping costs around $12 per kg from China to India.
Insurance Costs
Pay for insurance when shipping expensive or fragile products from China to India is highly recommended. Insurance is a form of logistic expenditure that should not be ignored when shipping air and sea freight.
Insurance protects against any loss or damage to your shipment, giving you peace of mind while also ensuring that, in bad circumstances, you can recover the costs of damage. Reputable freight forwarding companies like DFH offer insurance at very cheap rates. You can also get insurance for your goods through a third-party provider in international freight.
The insurance premiums are typically between 0.3% and 0.5% of the total commercial Invoice Value.
Customs Clearance Costs
The process of importing commodities into India requires certain customs clearance procedures and processes that must be accounted for to ensure duties, tariffs, and taxes incurred during the process are easily settled.
The type and value of your goods determine the customs clearance cost. India uses a harmonized system to determine the tariff type of products. This is called the ITC-HS code, which stands for Indian Trade Classification Harmonized System. The ITC-HS code of a given product greatly influences the customs import declaration, and you should check with your freight forwarder to get accurate estimates for your product.
An importer must pay a basic standard customs duty charge and may pay additional charges on top of this when shipping from China to India.
As you can see, the entire process can become hectic. Hence, it is always preferable to have freight forwarding experts handle your Indian customs clearance obligations in international freight.
Who Is Responsible For Customs Clearance While Shipping From China To India?
This depends on the incoterm an importer agrees with the supplier. For instance, the importer pays all customs clearance costs in a FOB incoterm. However, the supplier handles customs clearance costs for a DDP incoterm.
However, the supplier factors in the costs for customs clearance in their total invoice, so in the end, the importer indirectly pays for it.
Do I Have To Pay Customs Charges For Packages From China To India?
You must pay customs charges for every good shipped from China to India.
However, suppose you use express shipping or DDP in air or ocean freight. In that case, the charges are factored into your overall payment, so you need not worry about that.
Import tax and duties in India
You must pay import taxes on all items shipped to India. The origin country and the type of goods will determine how much duty must be paid.
An Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) is typically applied to all imported goods into India as a result of 4%.
The IGST rates, however, may vary based on the products you choose to import; for example, alcohol, motor vehicles, and petroleum products are subject to a 10% tax rate.
You can let your freight forwarder help sort out your import duties to facilitate easy shipping.
Do I have to pay tax on Express or air delivery to India?
Yes, you must pay tax on goods delivered by air freight. However, the tax cost is factored into your overall payment with express shipping, so you don’t pay for that.
If you also use DDP air freight, you need not bother about tax payments.
Freight forwarder Charges.
Regardless of experience or knowledge, it is important to use a freight forwarder when shipping from China to India to facilitate easy shipping.
Freight forwarder rates vary, and it is necessary to research to select the best ones that offer value for money.
DFH is a reputable Chinese freight forwarder with the requisite experience shipping from China to India. Contact us today.
Local Transporation costs.
While most of China’s industries allow you to transport your shipment to any shipping port in sea freight, importers should be aware that not all manufacturing companies are close to ports, necessitating an inland transport company to move your goods to the destination port.
You must budget for the shipping cost associated with moving goods from the factory to the loading port. You are also responsible for covering the costs of shipping the item from the destination port to your actual address.
Using a freight forwarder to handle local transportation costs is often best. Freight forwarders know how to transport goods cheaply and carefully to prevent damage and loss.
Main Seaports and Airports for Shipping from China to India.
Main seaports in India
The main Indian seaports that receive freight from China are:
Nhava Sheva
Mundra
Chennai
Haldia
Visakhapatnam
Kolkata
Kandla
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (largest container port)
Main Airports in India
The main Indian airports that receive freight from China are:
Delhi International Airport
Mumbai International Airport
Chennai International Airport
Bangalore International Airport
Hyderabad Airport
Main international Seaports from China to India.
The main Chinese seaports that transport freight to India are:
Shanghai Seaport
Ningbo Seaport
Shenzhen Seaport
Guangzhou seaport
Qingdao Seaport
Xingang Seaport
Chongqing seaport
Hong Kong Seaport
Main international Airports from China to India.
The main Chinese airports that transport freight to India are:
Beijing Capital International Airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Xian Xianyang International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Shenzhen Baoan International Airport
What products can not ship from China to India?
Some of the prohibited imports into India are listed below:
Biohazardous materials
Dangerous Goods
Drugs
Explosive materials, firearms, and weapons
Fireworks
Medical/dental supplies & equipment
Metals, Precious stones
Psychotropic Substances
Ozone-depleting substances
Narcotics
Ivory
Plants and Plant Products
Tobacco/Tobacco Leaves/Cigarettes
Remember that this isn’t a comprehensive list; rules can change frequently. As a result, you should always check the most recent rules before shipping a new item to India.
What products can be imported from China to India?
Many goods are permitted to be imported from China to India. They include:
Clothes
Toys
Sports equipment
Electronic goods and machinery
Mobile phone accessories
Footwear and accessories
Cosmetic products
Auto parts and tires
Transport equipment
Should I choose a freight forwarding company to ship from China to India?
Freight forwarders have the requisite experience shipping from China to India. It is always advisable to use reputable freight forwarders like DFH to ensure a smooth shipping experience and the safety of your products.
How can I find reliable freight forwarding services for shipping from China to India?
You can find reliable freight forwarders to ship from China to India by checking Chinese marketplaces, asking our suppliers, and searching online.
You can then compare the freight forwarders you selected based on price, reviews and ratings, and their experience shipping to India.
How to reduce shipping costs from China to India.
There are ways to reduce Indian shipping costs from China. They include:
Use a local freight forwarder.
Try to optimize container space by packing goods tightly to save container costs.
Make reservations as far as possible to save money and ease any potential stress from delays.
Get cheaper shipping rates by shipping during less busy periods and off-peak seasons.
Plan to cover customs taxes and levies.
Check different suppliers and freight forwarders for quotes before selecting one.
Be aware of your Incoterms and your shipping method to avoid unforeseen costs.
Get insurance for all your shipments.
Documents Required for shipping from China to India?
The importer is responsible for ensuring that all necessary documents for customs clearance are provided when shipping cargo from China to India.
The documents are submitted by the importer or freight forwarder. They include:
Packing List
Commercial Invoice
Bill of Lading
Arrival Notice
Import License
Certificates of Origin
Single administrative document and CMR
Which is the Cheapest shipping method from China to India?
Sea freight is the least expensive method of shipping from China to India.
However, price is relative, and India shipping costs depend on the goods’ size. For example, Air freight can be more cost-effective for goods less than 100kg.
Why DFH is the best freight forwarder for Shipping from China to India.
DFH is one of the most reputable freight forwarders in China. To save time and money, it is necessary to choose freight forwarders with the required expertise and knowledge in shipping goods from China to Indonesia more efficiently.
We have office locations in Jiangxi, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Zhejiang. We provide free pickup within three hours of pickup authorization if your supplier’s factory is located anywhere in mainland China, regardless of the city.
Using DFH gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on the essentials of running your business.
We distinguish ourselves from our rivals thanks to our:
24/7 customer support.
Low-cost insurance premiums
Free of charge packing and repacking
Free-of-charge warehousing
Renowned logistics expertise
A strong network of forwarders and customs brokers in India.
Low shipping costs as a result of our good relationship with carriers
Free quality inspection services.
Knowledge of the right routes for shipping your products to the destination port.
No matter the request or unusual shipment, we’ll try to satisfy your needs.
To get a quote on DFH, reach out to us here. We’ll start working on your products immediately, and you’ll have a timely delivery!
FAQs about shipping from China to India.
How long does shipping take from China to India?
This depends on the method of shipping chosen. It ranges from 1-3 days with express shipping to 3-8 days with air freight, 15 days with rail freight, and 20-30 days with sea freight.
How much does it cost to ship a package to India?
The cost of shipping from China to India varies with the shipping method and the size of goods transported. Check the article above to see the average India shipping cost.
Can I ship from China to India without an import license?
No. It is necessary to have an import license before shipping goods from China to India.
What are the advantages of air cargo from China to India?
Air freight is perhaps the most common way to ship goods from China to India. It is often picked over other methods of shipping for the following qualities:
Air cargo is much faster than other means of transportation from China to India (3-8 days)
It is more economical to ship smaller freight, less than 200kg.
Importers can ship goods any time of the week or year without being worried about potential delays.
Importers spend less money on insurance premiums.
How Do I Avoid High Shipping Costs On Alibaba When Ship From China To India?
The best way to avoid high India shipping costs from shipping carriers when shipping on Alibaba is to get a freight forwarder. Contact us to get a quote.
Do I Have To Pay Duty On Items Shipped From China To India?
Yes, every importer pays duties and levies on items shipped from China to India, except it’s an item that is tax-free.
Is Sea Freight From China To India Cost-Effective?
Sea freight from China to India is cost-effective when shipping bulky cargo. For much smaller goods, it is better to explore other shipping methods.
Have more questions about shipping from China to India, Contact us to get a quick reply within 2 Mins.