1. Your category in India
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for India: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (27 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
India's gate is registration, and it is enforced. Products in the compulsory registration list must be registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards before they can be imported; radio equipment needs a WPC approval; and the importer needs an import-export code. Since registration is granted to the manufacturer, this is work you must do yourself rather than delegate to a distributor.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIS registration / ISI mark | Mandatory (listed products) | Registration with the Bureau of Indian Standards — either the compulsory registration scheme for electronics or the ISI mark for other listed goods. Requires testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory and, for some schemes, a factory inspection. | 8–20 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| WPC approval (radio) | Mandatory (radio equipment) | Wireless and radio equipment requires approval from the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing, normally via a local representative. | 4–10 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Import-export code and customs | Always applies | The Indian importer needs an import-export code and must declare through the customs electronic gateway. Some categories additionally need prior approval from the sectoral regulator before shipment. | 2–4 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Tariff (MFN) | Always applies | Average applied MFN tariff around 10.1%; the rate depends on the HS line and must be confirmed line by line at HS-code level. | — | On customs value | Pending |
| Tariff (preference) | Not available for Chinese origin | India has free trade agreements with ASEAN, Japan, Korea and others, but not with China. Chinese-origin goods pay the MFN basic customs duty, plus a social welfare surcharge calculated on the duty, plus integrated GST. | — | — | Pending |
| VAT | Always applies | Integrated GST at 18% for most goods, charged on the customs value plus basic customs duty and the social welfare surcharge. Recoverable as input tax credit by a registered Indian business. | — | 18% IGST | Pending |
| Labelling | Mandatory | Labelling under the legal metrology packaged commodity rules: product name, the importer's name and address, country of origin, net quantity and consumer-care details. The BIS registration number must appear where the product is registered. | 2–4 weeks | — | Pending |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
Every company below is a real business in India taken from our own buyer research, and we have verified that its website is reachable. Names and business types are public; decision-makers, direct emails and phone numbers are reserved for members of the Buyer Directory.
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. Indian procurement is price-aware but registration-gated — the registration number in your first email is worth more than any discount. Start the BIS process before you start selling.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in India — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: imports of this category run at a double-digit share of the market's total and are growing faster than overall imports.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China is the largest source, ahead of regional and EU suppliers.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: the mid price band is where Chinese supply competes; the low band is held by regional producers.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for India. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Clearance-day figures change with congestion and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Does my product need BIS registration?
If it appears in the compulsory registration list or requires the ISI mark, yes. Testing must be carried out at a BIS-recognised laboratory, and some schemes also require a factory inspection.
Can my Indian distributor register on my behalf?
Not for most schemes. Registration is granted to the manufacturer, so the work is yours even if the importer is the applicant in practice.
How is import tax calculated?
Basic customs duty, plus a social welfare surcharge calculated on the duty, plus integrated GST at 18% for most goods on the resulting value. Recoverable as input tax credit by a registered business.
Is there a free trade agreement between China and India?
No. India has agreements with ASEAN, Japan, Korea and others, but Chinese-origin goods pay the MFN basic customs duty.
What about radio equipment?
Wireless and radio equipment requires approval from the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing, normally through a local representative, in addition to any BIS registration.
Which port should I use?
Nhava Sheva and Mundra handle most container traffic from Asia and are the usual choice, with Chennai and Kolkata for the east coast.