How to Import from China to India: Step-by-Step FCL Guide for SMEs

Get a practical, end-to-end playbook for Indian SMEs and enterprises to import from China with Full Container Load (FCL) shipping—covering supplier selection, Incoterms, documentation, customs clearance, duty calculation, inland logistics, and common mistakes to avoid. Learn how to leverage Cogoport’s Global Trade Platform™ to simplify every step.

Contents:

• Introduction: Why China-to-India Imports Matter
• Why Choose FCL for SMEs: Cost, Speed, & Control
• Step-by-Step Import Process: From Supplier to Warehouse
• Costs, Timelines, & Example Scenarios: What to Expect
• Common Mistakes to Avoid: Practical Fixes
• Compliance & Documentation: What You Need
• Customs Clearance in India: How It Works
• Final-Mile Delivery & Container Return: Best Practices
• Checklist for First-Time Importers: Print & Use
• How Cogoport Helps: Digital Tools & Services
• FAQs: Quick Answers to Common Questions
• References

Introduction: Why China-to-India Imports Matter:

China remains one of India’s most important sourcing hubs, especially for electronics, machinery, industrial inputs, textiles, and consumer goods. For Indian SMEs, importing from China can unlock competitive pricing, fast innovation cycles, and broad product variety. The opportunity is significant—but so is the complexity. You must navigate supplier verification, global shipping, customs, duties, and end-to-end logistics.

This guide breaks the journey into clear steps. It explains why Full Container Load (FCL) shipping often makes sense as volumes grow, how to choose the right Incoterms, what documents you need, how customs clearance actually works in India, and where many first-time importers go wrong. Throughout, you will see where Cogoport fits in as your digital logistics partner—bringing instant ocean freight quotes, tracking, customs services, and payment flexibility into a single seamless experience.

Use this as a practical playbook. Print the checklist, share it with your team, and reference the FAQs when you get stuck. With the right process and partners, importing can become a routine, well-controlled part of your supply chain.

Why Choose FCL for SMEs: Cost, Speed, & Control:

• Lower Cost at Scale: When your shipment approaches 15 cubic meters (CBM) or more, FCL typically becomes more economical than LCL. You pay for the whole container instead of per cubic meter, reducing your unit cost as volume grows.
• Fewer Touchpoints, Lower Risk: An FCL container is sealed at origin and opened at destination. With fewer handovers than LCL consolidation/deconsolidation, you reduce the chances of damage, pilferage, or misrouting.
• More Predictable Timelines: FCL shipments load as a single unit. They are less likely to be delayed by consolidation constraints and typically clear faster at destination than mixed LCL cargo.
• Operational Control: FCL lets you control packing, palletizing, dunnage, and labeling end-to-end. That control helps meet compliance, reduce damage, and speed up unloading.
• Peak-Season Reliability: Around Chinese New Year or India’s festive season, space tightens and rates spike. FCL bookings—especially when secured through guaranteed services—improve predictability.

Step-by-Step Import Process: From Supplier to Warehouse:

Step 1 — Find & Verify Suppliers:

• Use B2B platforms (Alibaba, Global Sources, Made-in-China) to shortlist manufacturers. For larger projects, visit trade fairs like the Canton Fair or engage a local sourcing agent.
• Verify credentials: request business licenses, export permits, factory photos, quality certifications, and client references. Ask for recent audit or inspection reports if available.
• Order samples before bulk. Test specifications, packaging, and labeling locally. Confirm any Indian standards (for example, BIS for electronics) can be met at scale. 
•  Align on MOQ, lead time, price breaks, packaging specs, and after-sales support. Clarify responsibility for compliance documentation upfront.

Step 2 — Choose the Right Incoterms:

Incoterms define who pays for and manages each leg of the journey. Picking the right term affects cost, control, and risk allocation.

• EXW (Ex Works): You handle pickup from the factory, export customs in China, international freight, insurance, and destination steps. Maximum control, more coordination.
• FOB (Free On Board): Supplier handles local movement and export customs until the container is on board at the port of loading. You control main carriage, insurance, and destination steps. Common for SMEs who want freight visibility and rate control.
• CFR/CIF (Cost & Freight / Cost, Insurance & Freight): Supplier books and pays main ocean freight (and insurance for CIF). Convenient, but you may have less control over schedules and line selection; destination charges still fall on you.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Supplier handles door delivery and import duties. Rare for formal ocean imports into India due to compliance and taxation complexity.

For many India-bound SME importers, FOB strikes a strong balance: origin formalities remain with the supplier, while you control route, schedule, and landed cost through your own logistics partner.

Step 3 — Book FCL Freight & Container Space:

Select a logistics partner that can quote multiple carriers, show live schedules, and support first-mile pickup, customs, and last-mile delivery. Digital platforms like Cogoport provide instant door-to-door rates, availability, and tracking in one place.

Pick the right port pair. In China, common ports include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Tianjin. In India, Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai, and Kolkata serve most importers. Choose based on supplier location and your final delivery needs.

Choose the container size: 20-foot (approx. 28–33 CBM effective) or 40-foot (approx. 55–67 CBM effective). Consider weight limits, road restrictions, and cargo density. For bulky but light cargo, 40-foot containers often reduce per-unit cost.

Confirm stuffing (loading) plans: palletizing vs. floor loading, dunnage, lashing, and fumigation where required. Record the seal number on the Bill of Lading.

Share booking confirmation, vessel/voyage, and cut-off timelines with your supplier so they can deliver the loaded container to the terminal on time.

Step 4 — Prepare Documentation & Compliance:

• Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): Mandatory for commercial imports into India. Keep IEC and GST details ready for customs filings.
• HS Code & Duty: Classify products correctly to estimate Basic Customs Duty, Social Welfare Surcharge, and IGST. Calculate landed cost in advance.
• Product Standards: Verify any compulsory certifications (for example, BIS for electronics and appliances; FSSAI for food) and arrange labels as per Indian law.
• Core Documents: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill, Certificate of Origin (where needed), and Insurance Certificate. Ensure details match across documents.
• Contracts & Payments: If using a Letter of Credit, align documentary requirements (B/L terms, inspection certificates) with your bank to avoid discrepancies.

Step 5 — Track Transit & Get Ready for Arrival:

Use real-time tracking to monitor ETD/ETA and transshipments. Share updates with internal teams to plan inventory and sales. Prepare documents for customs filing in advance. Coordinate with your customs broker to file the Bill of Entry ahead of vessel arrival to save time. Arrange local charges and delivery orders with the shipping line’s agent. Line up transportation and unloading teams early to avoid detention and storage charges.

Step 6 — Clear Indian Customs:

• Bill of Entry (BoE): Your customs broker files the import declaration with HS codes, values, and duty calculation. Advance filing accelerates clearance.
• Duty Payment: Pay assessed BCD, SWS, IGST, and any applicable anti-dumping or safeguard duties. Review calculations and keep receipts for GST input credit.
• Assessment & Examination: Customs may facilitate without exam, request documents, or order physical inspection. Ensure declarations match documents to avoid penalties.
• Out of Charge (OOC): After assessment, duty payment, and any inspection, customs issues OOC. Coordinate with the port/CFS for cargo release.

Step 7 — Final-Mile Delivery & Container Return:

• Port/CFS Pickup: For FCL, arrange trailer trucks for full-container movement to your warehouse. For LCL, collect deconsolidated cargo from the CFS.
• Unloading & QC: Break seal, unload, and tally against the packing list. Record any damages with photos for insurance claims. Prepare goods for storage or sale.
• Detention & Demurrage: Return empty containers within free days to avoid daily detention fees. Clear port/CFS storage promptly to avoid demurrage
• Record-Keeping: Archive invoice, packing list, B/L, insurance, BoE, and duty challans for audits, GST credit, and future reference.

Costs, Timelines, & Example Scenarios: What to Expect:

FCL sea freight between major China and India ports typically takes about two to four weeks port-to-port, depending on routing and transshipment. Door-to-door timelines are commonly four to six weeks, including customs and inland movement.

Freight rates fluctuate by season, capacity, and service type. A 20-foot container can at times be close in price to a 40-foot container; route and market conditions drive spreads. Plan for origin/destination surcharges, documentation, and terminal handling fees.

Estimate landed cost early. Combine product value, international freight, insurance, Indian port/CFS charges, customs duty & IGST, local transport, and warehousing. A clear landed-cost view protects your margins and pricing.

• Electronics & Accessories: Bulky packaging but moderate weight. Often shipped FCL to protect against handling damage and to improve speed at destination. Confirm BIS compliance and labeling before shipment.
• Machinery & Industrial Parts: Heavyweights may hit weight limits before volume limits; plan container selection and unloading equipment. Consider marine insurance with appropriate clauses.
• Textiles & Garments: Voluminous but light. If volume exceeds ~15 CBM, FCL often beats LCL on cost and control. Watch seasonal peaks before festivals.
• Chemicals & Inputs: Check product-specific rules, MSDS, and any license needs. Stick to correct HS codes and maintain rigorous documentation to avoid delays.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Practical Fixes:

• Ignoring landed cost: Budgeting only factory price and ocean freight while overlooking duty, GST, and destination charges. Fix: Use a landed-cost worksheet and update it for every shipment.
• Wrong HS code or undervaluation: Misclassification or under-invoicing risks penalties and delays. Fix: Validate HS codes with a broker and keep product literature handy.
• Weak packaging & no insurance: Damage in transit erodes margin. Fix: Specify export-grade packaging and buy all-risk marine insurance.
• Poor supplier due diligence: Unverified vendors cause quality or delivery surprises. Fix: Verify licenses, run audits, and start with samples.
• Loose Incoterms understanding: Hidden costs appear under CIF or EXW without clarity. Fix: Choose terms that match your control needs—FOB is a balanced default for many SMEs.
• No buffer for peak seasons: Missing vessel space or paying premiums near holidays. Fix: Book early and consider assured services that guarantee space.
• Late customs preparation: Filing BoE after arrival invites storage charges. Fix: Prepare documents and file in advance where possible.
• Detention/demurrage leakage: Keeping containers too long post-delivery. Fix: Pre-plan unloading and return empties within free days.
• One-supplier dependence: No fallback if issues arise. Fix: Develop a secondary supplier and diversify within China or across countries.
• Currency risk: INR volatility inflates cost between PO and payment. Fix: Use fixed-FX options or hedging and price with a small buffer.

Compliance & Documentation: What You Need:

• Business & Tax: Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), GST registration, and bank details for international remittance.
• Shipment Docs: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill, Insurance Certificate, and Certificate of Origin (as applicable).
• Standards & Licenses: BIS (for applicable electronics/appliances), FSSAI (for food), and any DGFT-relevant licenses for restricted goods.
• Customs Filing: Bill of Entry with correct HS codes, valuation, and duty/tax calculation, plus any product literature requested by customs.
• Post-Import: Store BoE, duty challans, and invoices for audits; ensure labeling and warranty obligations are met.

Customs Clearance in India: How It Works:

When the vessel arrives, the carrier files the Import General Manifest. Your broker files the Bill of Entry—ideally in advance—so assessment can proceed quickly. Duty is paid online. Customs may facilitate, query, or inspect the shipment. After Out of Charge, coordinate gate pass and delivery order for pickup.

Accuracy and transparency are critical. Keep product literature for classification, ensure invoice and packing list match, and respond promptly to queries. Advance planning avoids storage charges.

Final-Mile Delivery & Container Return: Best Practices:

• Plan unloading: Have labor and equipment ready; schedule trucks to avoid night restrictions where applicable.
• Return empties fast: Know your free days and detention rates; return containers within the window.
• Document everything: Photographs at unloading, EIR for empty return, and POD from truckers help resolve disputes.
• Close the loop: Reconcile invoices, update landed-cost sheets, and feed learnings into your next shipment plan.

Checklist for First-Time Importers: Print & Use:

• IEC and GST registration completed.
• Supplier verified; samples approved; quality specs documented.
• Incoterms agreed in writing; PO and proforma invoice signed.
• Correct HS codes identified; duty & IGST estimated in landed-cost sheet.
• Freight booked with live schedule and container size confirmed.
• Insurance purchased; export-grade packaging and fumigation arranged.
• Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and B/L draft reviewed for accuracy.
• Customs broker appointed; Bill of Entry prepared for advance filing.
• Transport arranged for port pickup; unloading team scheduled.
• Plan for empty return within free days; archive all documents post-delivery.

How Cogoport Helps: Digital Tools & Services:

Cogoport is a technology-driven Global Trade Platform™ that brings instant FCL/LCL quotes, assured capacity options, customs services, and inland transportation together—so you can book, track, and manage end-to-end shipments in one place.

Compare real-time schedules and all-inclusive rates, then book in minutes. Track your containers, store documents, and collaborate with your team. Use tools like HS code and duty estimations to get landed costs right from the start.

Leverage value-added services: Cogo Assured for guaranteed space and upfront pricing, Pay Later for flexible payment terms, and loyalty rewards like Cogo Points as your volumes scale.

Start Shipping Smarter: Visit https://www.cogoport.com to explore instant quotes, end-to-end services, and expert support for your China–India FCL imports. For tailored help, use the “Contact Us” page.

FAQs: Quick Answers to Common Questions:

What is the best Incoterm for first-time importers?
FOB is a balanced choice for many SMEs. Your supplier handles origin formalities, while you control the main freight and destination costs via your logistics partner.

When does FCL make more sense than LCL?
As your shipment volume approaches ~15 CBM or more, FCL often reduces per-unit cost, risk, and transit time compared to LCL.

How long does shipping from China to India take?
Port-to-port FCL is typically two to four weeks depending on route; door-to-door is commonly four to six weeks including customs and inland delivery.

Which ports are most common?
China: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin. India: Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai, Kolkata. Choose based on supplier and destination proximity.

Which documents are mandatory for import clearance?
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill, Bill of Entry, and any product-specific certificates (for example, BIS or FSSAI).

How do I avoid detention and demurrage charges?
File the Bill of Entry in advance, arrange trucks early, unload quickly, and return empty containers within free days.

Should I buy marine insurance?
Yes. All-risk insurance is inexpensive relative to the value at stake and protects against loss, damage, and General Average situations.

Can Cogoport manage door-to-door shipments?
Yes. Cogoport offers first-mile pickup, ocean freight, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery—plus tracking and digital document storage in one place.