Importer guides
Everything you need to import from China with confidence.
Written by our sourcing team from real orders — no fluff, updated as rules change.
Start here · 11 min read
How to Import from China to India: The Complete 2026 Guide
Step-by-step guide to importing from China to India: IEC registration, HS codes, BIS and QCO rules, finding suppliers, customs duty, shipping times and clearance.
Read the guide- 01Step 1: Get your Import Export Code (IEC)
- 02Step 2: Classify your product and check the rules
- 03Step 3: Find and verify suppliers
- 04Step 4: Samples, negotiation and the purchase contract
- 05Step 5: Inspect before you pay the balance
- 06Step 6: Ship from China to India
- 07Step 7: Customs clearance in India
- 08What does importing from China actually cost?
Importing to India · 7 min
Customs Duty on Imports from China to India: How It's Calculated
How Indian customs duty on Chinese goods is calculated: assessable value, Basic Customs Duty, Social Welfare Surcharge and IGST, with a worked example.
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Sourcing · 8 min
Yiwu Market Guide for Importers: Districts, MOQs and How to Buy
A practical guide to buying at Yiwu International Trade City: what each district sells, typical MOQs, prices, how ordering and payment work, and how to ship mixed containers.
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Sourcing · 6 min
How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before You Pay
A 9-point checklist to verify a supplier in China: business licence, USCC code, bank account, factory vs trader, certifications, references and on-site audits.
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Quality · 6 min
AQL Inspection Explained: Sampling, Levels and Pass/Fail
What AQL means in quality inspection, how sample sizes are chosen under ISO 2859-1, typical AQL levels for critical, major and minor defects, and a worked example.
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Shipping · 5 min
FCL vs LCL: Which Shipping Option Should You Choose from China?
Compare FCL and LCL sea freight from China: container sizes and usable CBM, cost structure, break-even volume, transit times and when to consolidate.
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Sourcing · 5 min
How Much Does a China Sourcing Agent Charge?
How China sourcing agents charge: commission percentages, flat fees, hidden factory kickbacks, and what you should expect to pay for sourcing, inspection and shipping.
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Importing to India · 6 min
How to Get an IEC (Import Export Code) Online: Step by Step
How to apply for an Import Export Code on the DGFT portal: who needs one, documents, the ₹500 fee, the annual update every April–June, and common mistakes.
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Importing to India · 6 min
How to Find the Right HSN Code for an Imported Product
How the 8-digit HSN (ITC-HS) code works, how to find the right one for your product, and how it decides customs duty, GST and licence requirements.
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Importing to India · 7 min
Import Documents Checklist: What Indian Customs Needs from China
Every document you need to import from China to India: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, insurance and the Bill of Entry, plus the mistakes that cause customs holds.
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Importing to India · 7 min
BIS Registration for Imported Products: What Importers Need to Know
Which imported products need BIS registration in India, how the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and Quality Control Orders work, and how to plan BIS before you place an order.
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Shipping · 6 min
Incoterms Explained: EXW vs FOB vs CIF vs DDP for Importers
What EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP mean when you buy from China, who pays for what, where the risk passes, and which Incoterm Indian importers should usually choose.
ReadSourcing · 7 min
How to Pay Chinese Suppliers Safely from India
The safest ways to pay suppliers in China from India: bank transfer (T/T), letters of credit and Alibaba Trade Assurance, standard payment terms, and how to avoid bank-change scams.
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Sourcing · 7 min
Alibaba vs 1688 vs Trade Fairs vs Yiwu: Where to Find Suppliers
Comparing the main ways Indian importers find suppliers in China: Alibaba, 1688, Made-in-China, the Canton Fair and other trade fairs, the Yiwu market and sourcing agents.
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Shipping · 5 min
Chinese New Year 2027: When to Order So Your Stock Isn't Late
Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027. Here's how factory shutdowns affect production and shipping, and the order dates Indian importers should plan around.
ReadTell us what you want to import.
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