🇨🇳 China → 🇮🇳 India

CCC Certification (3C认证)

China Compulsory Certification is required for products sold in China. For export-only products, CCC is NOT required. However, if the product is also sold domestically, CCC is mandatory. Covers 17 major categories including electronics, appliances, auto parts, toys.

CIQ Inspection (商检)

China Inspection and Quarantine. Required for products in the statutory inspection catalog (法定检验目录). Inspection certificate must be obtained before customs declaration for listed products.

Required Export Documents (China)

Complete set: Trade Contract (贸易合同), Commercial Invoice (商业发票), Packing List (装箱单), Bill of Lading or Airway Bill (提运单), Customs Declaration Form (报关单, filed via Single Window), Power of Attorney (报关委托书, if using customs broker), Export License (出口许可证, if applicable), Inspection Certificate (检验检疫证书, if product is on statutory inspection list).

Enterprise Registration with Customs

Chinese exporters must register with customs (海关注册备案) before conducting trade. Apply through China International Trade Single Window (单一窗口) or local customs office.

Prepare Export Documents

Required documents: Trade contract (贸易合同), Commercial invoice (商业发票), Packing list (装箱单), Bill of lading/Airway bill (提运单), Customs power of attorney if using agent (报关委托书), Export license if applicable (出口许可证), Inspection certificate if applicable (检验检疫证书).

Submit Electronic Customs Declaration (报关)

File electronic declaration via China E-Port (中国电子口岸) system. Must be submitted after goods arrive at customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading. Declaration includes: consignee, HS code, quantity, value, trade terms, transport info.

Customs Inspection (查验) if Required

Customs may inspect goods based on risk assessment. Inspection rate varies by product category and exporter compliance history. If selected, goods must be presented for physical examination.

Release and Loading (放行装货)

After declaration accepted and inspection passed (if required), customs issues release notice. Goods can then be loaded onto the vessel/aircraft.

Export Tax Rebate Application (出口退税)

After goods exported, apply for VAT/consumption tax rebate through tax authority. Standard rate for electronics (HS 85): 13%. Process: collect documents → file with tax bureau → receive rebate (1-3 months). IMPORTANT (2026 change): China cut or eliminated rebates for 249 product categories effective April 1, 2026. Solar/PV products: rebate ELIMINATED. Battery products: reduced from 9% to 6% (eliminated entirely from Jan 2027). General electronics (including HS 8517 telecom equipment): 13% rate UNCHANGED as of April 2026.

Enterprise Registration with Customs

Chinese exporters must register with customs (海关注册备案) before conducting trade. Apply through China International Trade Single Window (单一窗口) or local customs office.

Prepare Export Documents

Required documents: Trade contract (贸易合同), Commercial invoice (商业发票), Packing list (装箱单), Bill of lading/Airway bill (提运单), Customs power of attorney if using agent (报关委托书), Export license if applicable (出口许可证), Inspection certificate if applicable (检验检疫证书).

Submit Electronic Customs Declaration (报关)

File electronic declaration via China E-Port (中国电子口岸) system. Must be submitted after goods arrive at customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading. Declaration includes: consignee, HS code, quantity, value, trade terms, transport info.

Customs Inspection (查验) if Required

Customs may inspect goods based on risk assessment. Inspection rate varies by product category and exporter compliance history. If selected, goods must be presented for physical examination.

Release and Loading (放行装货)

After declaration accepted and inspection passed (if required), customs issues release notice. Goods can then be loaded onto the vessel/aircraft.

Export Tax Rebate Application (出口退税)

After goods exported, apply for VAT/consumption tax rebate through tax authority. Standard rate for electronics (HS 85): 13%. Process: collect documents → file with tax bureau → receive rebate (1-3 months). IMPORTANT (2026 change): China cut or eliminated rebates for 249 product categories effective April 1, 2026. Solar/PV products: rebate ELIMINATED. Battery products: reduced from 9% to 6% (eliminated entirely from Jan 2027). General electronics (including HS 8517 telecom equipment): 13% rate UNCHANGED as of April 2026.

Shipping Timeline from China

China → US (West Coast): Ocean 15-20 days, $2,800-4,200/FEU. Air 3-5 days, $5-8/kg. China → US (East Coast): Ocean 25-35 days, $3,500-5,500/FEU. China → Japan: Ocean 3-7 days, $500-1,200/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $3-6/kg. China → EU (Rotterdam): Ocean 25-35 days via Suez, $2,500-4,500/FEU. China → Korea: Ocean 2-4 days, $300-700/FEU. Export customs clearance: typically 1-2 days after declaration.

China Import Customs Clearance Timeline [CNI]

Average customs clearance time (from declaration to release): Standard goods: 1-3 business days (Single Window has reduced from 16 hours to ~2 hours for green channel). Goods requiring inspection: 3-7 business days. First-time imports with lab testing: 15-20 business days. Major port processing times (2026): Shanghai (洋山/外高桥): 1-2 days average. Shenzhen (盐田/蛇口): 1-2 days. Guangzhou (南沙): 1-2 days. Qingdao (青岛): 2-3 days. Tianjin (天津): 2-3 days. AEO-certified enterprises: typically same-day or next-day clearance.

Shipping Timeline: US to China [CNI]

Ocean freight: US west coast (LA/Long Beach) → Shanghai/Shenzhen: 15-20 days. US east coast (NY/Savannah) → Shanghai: 25-35 days. Transit via Pacific: most common route for US-China trade. Air freight: 2-4 days (major airports: LAX→PVG, JFK→PEK, ORD→CAN). Ocean container cost (2026): $1,500-3,500/FEU (US→China direction typically cheaper than China→US). Air freight cost: $4-8/kg. Add 1-3 days for China customs clearance (standard goods).

Shipping Timeline from India

India → China: 10-18 days. India → US: 25-35 days. India → EU: 20-30 days. India → Japan: 12-18 days.

Shipping Timeline to India

From China: 10-18 days ocean. From US: 25-35 days. From Japan: 12-18 days. From EU: 20-30 days. Clearance: 3-7 days (slower than most Asian ports). Main ports: Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), Chennai, Delhi ICD.

Required Import Documents (India)

Bill of Entry, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB, Certificate of Origin, BIS certificate, Insurance, Import License (if restricted), IEC, GSTR docs.

Import Declaration via ICEGATE

ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) + ICES. Steps: obtain IEC (Importer Exporter Code) → register on ICEGATE → file Bill of Entry → customs assessment → pay duty (BCD + IGST + cess) → inspection → release (Out of Charge). SWIFT single-window being rolled out.

India Tariff — Electronics (HIGH)

India has one of the HIGHEST tariff structures for electronics globally. Smartphones (8517): BCD 20%. Laptops/PCs (8471): BCD 0% under ITA commitment (India signed ITA-1 in 1997; despite repeated proposals to increase, WTO commitment prevents raising BCD on ITA-covered products). TVs (8528): 10-20%. ICs (8542): 0%. Plus: SWS (Social Welfare Surcharge) = 10% of BCD (zero additional cost when BCD is 0%). Plus: IGST 18%. Effective rate on smartphones: ~43-45%. Effective rate on laptops (commercial import): ~18% (IGST only since BCD=0%). Make in India policy drives high import barriers. ITA member but disputes with WTO on actual implementation. No FTA with China or US. India-Japan CEPA, India-Korea CEPA, India-ASEAN FTA provide some preferences. 2025-26 Budget: significant customs rationalization, reducing number of BCD rates.

India IGST (Integrated GST) — 18%

IGST on electronics: 18%. Calculated on (CIF + BCD + SWS). IGST-registered importers can claim input credit. Additional cesses may apply on some products.

BIS Certification (Bureau of Indian Standards)

CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme): MANDATORY for electronics/IT products. Now covers 76+ product categories (expanded from original 15). Covers: adapters, chargers, LEDs, laptops, phones, tablets, printers, TVs, monitors, audio equipment, smart watches, power banks, CCTV cameras, solar PV modules. Process: lab testing → BIS application → possible factory inspection (even overseas) → registration. Timeline: 3-6 months (can take 12 months). Cost: $1,000-10,000. Valid 2 years, needs renewal. THIS IS THE #1 BARRIER for foreign electronics entering India. 2026 UPDATES: (1) BIS Scheme X (for components/sub-assemblies) has been WITHDRAWN — suspended until further notice per Jan 14, 2026 announcement. (2) Safety standards transitioning from IS 13252/IS 616 to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 (hazard-based approach), with concurrent validity period until November 1, 2028. (3) CCTV cameras: relaxation withdrawn, full compliance mandatory from April 1, 2026. (4) BIS Conformity Assessment Amendment Regulations 2026 (Feb 25) changed fee structures and licence validity periods. Product list is continuously updated by MeitY through gazette notifications.

TEC + WPC (Telecom & Wireless)

TEC (Telecommunication Engineering Centre): mandatory for telecom equipment. WPC (Wireless Planning): ETA (Equipment Type Approval) for all wireless devices. Must obtain before BIS registration.