How to Import from China to India

Mani Karthik

Entrepreneur. Mentor. Blogger

For decades now, India has been importing high-margin and high-growth products from China. According to data published by Trading Economics, from 1991 to 2017, the imports from China to India averaged ₹92.92 billion per year. In September 2015, these imports touched an all-time high of a whopping ₹407.49 billion.

Electronics, machineries such as engines and pumps, organic chemicals, fertilizers, iron, and steel are only some of the major commodities exported from China to India. In recent years, Chinese electronics have been gaining popularity in India. As a result, you can now choose from various websites from where you can buy electronic gadgets and other goods and import them to India.

Anyone can import electronics from China to India.

There is no specific license required to import electronics from China to India, but importers should be aware of the general rules and regulations governing the import of goods into India.

However, be careful. Not all these websites are genuine. I would strongly recommend that you only buy from reputed sites to avoid falling prey to fraud. To help you with the process, I have created a list of five reputed websites to buy cheap electronic goods from China, while sitting at home in India.

There are a few things to consider when importing from China to India:

  1. Research your market and find a reliable supplier in China.
  2. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork and documentation in order.
  3. Choose a mode of transportation that is suitable for your goods.
  4. Understand the import duties and taxes that will be applicable to your shipment.
  5. Stay up to date with the latest import/export regulations.

Importing from China to India – Legal Rules to Know

The legal things to know about importing from China to India include the following:

  1. You must have a valid import license from the Indian government in order to import goods from China into India.
  2. All imported goods must be declared to the Indian Customs authorities at the port of entry.
  3. Payment of customs duties and other taxes is required on all imported goods.
  4. All imported goods must comply with Indian safety and quality standards.
  5. Chinese goods must be shipped through an authorized Chinese shipping company.

How to Import from China to India – Websites

Here are some of the best websites to import anything from China to India.

Alibaba

Alibaba is a leading eCommerce platform for global wholesale trade that needs no introduction. At Alibaba.com, you’ll get to choose from more than 14,000 electronic gadgets, including speakers, power banks, and earphones. The website is highly popular for its wide range of products, available at affordable prices.

eBay

With the astonishing growth of online sales, more and more retailers want to import from China and sell online, particularly on Amazon and eBay. For sellers, eBay is a highly price-competitive market, with skinnier margins for Chinese goods. The ultimate profit is extended to the buyer, who gets the electronic goods at the cheapest rates.

Global Sources

Global Sources is an online marketplace that offers customers the best quality online and offline sourcing. It gives you all the benefits of a trade show, without actually having to attend the trade show. Global Sources is one of the best destinations to buy computer systems and peripherals, communication products, and gaming products.

Made In China

Made in China is an amazing online platform that connects buyers from across the globe to Chinese suppliers. On the website, you can discover a large selection of electronic components, electrical equipment, and electrical engineering products. On every request that you make, you will receive multiple quotes. In the electricals and electronics category, more than 70,000 quotations have been offered on more than 15,000 sourcing requests already.

TOMTOP

TOMTOP is a reliable Chinese website that offers a straightforward ordering process. The goods are available at a reasonable price and are delivered at the promised time. First-time users may find this website a bit cluttered. The customer service is great though. The officials at TOMTOP keep the customer informed about the status of their order, which is also very helpful.

Other than these five options, there are some more trustworthy websites, such as Banggood, Gearbest and DX, that are worth giving a shot.

However, I would recommend you read the customer reviews before making a final choice.

Things to consider when choosing a supplier

There are a few things to consider when finding a reliable supplier for importing electronics from China to India:

  1. Make sure the supplier is experienced in exporting electronics to India.
  2. Ask for references from other buyers in India who have imported electronics from the supplier.
  3. Request for a price list and compare prices with other suppliers.
  4. Negotiate terms and conditions with the supplier, such as payment terms, delivery time, etc.
  5. Get everything in writing to avoid any misunderstandings later on.

What goods can be imported from China to India?

There is a wide range of goods that can be imported from China to India, including electronics, textiles, machinery, and vehicles.

Do you need a license to import from China to India?

There is no specific license required to import from China to India, but importers should be aware of the general requirements for importing into India, which include obtaining an import license, registering with the Reserve Bank of India, and complying with various customs regulations.

Also read: Khatabook – How to import from China to India, and Indian Customs Rules on Imports.

2 thoughts on “How to Import from China to India”

  1. They didn’t pay me anything. You having a bad experience does not mean it will be the same for all. Not saying that they have a great experience all the time but please understand that for any website small or big, there will be mixed reviews and that does not necessarily mean that it will be a standard for everyone.

  2. How much did Tomtop pay you to feature them positively here? It’s the most horrible online store I have come across! Had the worst experience with them. I sincerely hope that you are personally ordering from the above mentioned websites before throwing so much of positive light on them!

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