China is by some distance India's largest source of imports — electronics, machinery, chemicals, solar, auto components, textiles. This guide is the operational playbook for an Indian importer running shipments from any major Chinese port to any Indian gateway.
1. Sourcing & supplier diligence
Three checks before a purchase order:
- BIS R-number coverage — does the supplier hold (or can they procure) a BIS R-number that covers the exact model variant? If your supplier hasn't heard of BIS, walk away.
- CAROTAR origin claim — if you intend to claim FTA preference (e.g., under ASEAN if goods route via Vietnam), the supplier must be able to issue Form I with the right value-addition working.
- ADD exposure — check the DGTR ADD notification for the HS code. Some Chinese producers are listed; some aren't. The duty difference can be 30–50%.
2. Incoterms — what to insist on
| Incoterm | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| FOB | You want freight cost control | Your forwarder must reach your supplier's port |
| CIF | Supplier-arranged freight, you accept the freight cost | Supplier may pad freight; insurance terms variable |
| EXW | Door-to-door visibility, full export documentation control | Highest paperwork and effort on the import side |
| DDP | Hands-off, supplier handles all duty | Hidden duty pads, weak audit trail, IGST input mismatch |
Most of our importers run FOB. It gives transparent freight cost and clean documentation, while keeping us in control of the destination leg.
3. Sailing routes & transit times
| Origin | Destination | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | JNPT | 18–22 days |
| Shanghai | Mundra | 16–20 days |
| Guangzhou | JNPT | 12–15 days |
| Shenzhen (Yantian) | Mundra | 14–17 days |
| Ningbo | JNPT | 16–20 days |
| Hong Kong (air) | IGI Delhi | 2–4 days |
Add 2–3 days for rail-haul to ICD Tughlakabad / Dadri.
4. Classification traps
The four 8-digit calls that trip up importers most often:
- Smartphones vs feature phones (8517 12 vs 8517 13) — duty differs and the line is thin
- Modules vs complete devices (8542 vs 8517) — affects BCD by 10+ percentage points
- Solar cells vs solar modules (8541 40 11 vs 8541 40 12) — different ADD, different ALMM applicability
- LED lights vs LED chips (9405 vs 8541) — large duty differential
5. CAROTAR — proof of origin under FTAs
CAROTAR 2020 made the importer (not just the supplier) liable for FTA origin claims. Form I from the supplier is necessary but not sufficient — you must hold supporting evidence on value-addition, manufacturing process, and the producer's records, available for CBIC scrutiny up to 5 years post-import.
The four most expensive mistakes
- BIS not pre-cleared — average cost: ₹50K–₹2L in demurrage + lost selling window
- Wrong HS code — average cost: 5–15% of CIF in over-paid duty, plus SCN risk 18 months later
- FTA claim without CAROTAR backup — average cost: full duty rebill with interest at audit
- DDP from supplier — average cost: 2–8% of CIF in padded duty, with no IGST input credit traceability
If you're importing from China for the first time and want a structured risk audit before you place the PO — that's a 30-minute call. No fee for first-time importers.
Aman Gupta, Founder — Aurum Global Logistic