BIS QCOs Rescinded: How the Removal of Trade Barriers Will Trigger an 'Asia to India' Import Surge and Freight Crisis

The Indian chemical, polymer, and textile industries received groundbreaking news on November 12, 2025. In a sweeping move aimed at easing trade, the Government of India officially rescinded the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 14 critical commodities.

This decision immediately dismantles a significant non-tariff barrier to trade, opening the floodgates for imports from major Asian manufacturing hubs.

While this presents a massive opportunity for Indian importers to reduce costs and diversify supply, it simultaneously sets the stage for an unprecedented crunch on the 'Asia to India' containerized freight market.

If your business relies on importing these commodities, the time to secure your logistics capacity is now.

The 14 Commodities Now Free from Mandatory BIS Certification

The rescinded orders (S.O. 5129(E) to S.O. 5142(E)) cover essential materials:

• The Polyester Chain: Terephthalic Acid (PTA), Ethylene Glycol (MEG), and various Polyester Yarns (PSF, POY, FDY, IDY).

• Major Polymers: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

• Specialty Chemicals/Polymers: ABS, EVA Copolymers, Polyurethanes, and Polycarbonate.

Why This Changes Everything for Asia-India Imports

For years, the mandatory BIS certification process has been a bottleneck, requiring lengthy audits and approvals that deterred many suppliers in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia from exporting to India.

By removing this requirement, India has instantly become a more accessible market. We anticipate a rapid surge in orders as importers capitalize on the newly simplified access to the world’s largest chemical and polymer production bases.

GEO-Focus: The Key Corridors to Watch

• China to India: Expect a massive surge in PVC and Polyester shipments from Shanghai and Ningbo to Nhava Sheva and Mundra.

• South Korea & Taiwan to India: Imports of ABS, EVA, and Polycarbonate from Busan and Kaohsiung are set to rise sharply.

• Southeast Asia to India: PE and PP volumes from Thailand (Laem Chabang) and Malaysia (Port Klang) will see significant increases.
  
  

The Looming Freight Crisis: A Perfect Storm

This sudden liberalization will trigger a demand shock in the container shipping market. Importers must prepare for severe disruptions on the Asia-India trade lane.

1. Skyrocketing Freight Rates

The immediate surge in demand for container space will far outstrip the available vessel capacity in the short term. Freight rates are expected to rise sharply as carriers implement GRIs and PSS. Importers who have not locked in rates will face significant cost escalations.

[INSERT DYNAMIC RATE GRID: "Real-Time Asia to India Spot Rates"]

2. The Container Shortage in Asia

As demand spikes, the availability of empty containers (especially 40ft High Cubes and 20ft Dry Vans) at origin ports will dry up. We are already seeing tightening availability in major Chinese and Korean hubs. This equipment shortage will lead to delays in stuffing and shipment execution.

3. Congestion at Indian Ports

Major gateways like Nhava Sheva and Mundra are ill-equipped to handle a sudden, massive influx of volume. Importers should anticipate longer vessel waiting times, slower container evacuation, and potential delays in customs clearance.

The FOMO Factor: Why You Can't Afford to Wait

The Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) in this scenario is not just about missing out on lower material costs; it's about the risk of missing out on logistics capacity entirely.

In a tight market, carriers prioritize high-yield cargo and established partners. If you delay your booking strategy, you risk having your cargo rolled, facing exorbitant premium surcharges, or being unable to ship at all.

How Cogoport Protects Your Supply Chain

The next 90 days will be critical. Cogoport is uniquely positioned to help Indian importers navigate this volatility on the Asia-India corridor.

1. Guaranteed Capacity: Leverage our strong carrier relationships across Asia to secure your space even in a tight market.

2. Competitive Pricing: Lock in your rates now to protect your margins against the impending surge.

3. End-to-End Visibility: Track your shipments in real-time from Asian origins to Indian destinations, allowing for proactive management of potential port congestion.

The removal of the BIS barriers is a landmark opportunity. Don’t let the subsequent logistics chaos paralyze your business.

Act now to secure your Asia-India pipeline.

Get Instant Quotes and Secure Capacity from Asia to India