South Asia
IndiaChina sourcing guide
Plan your purchase from China, with supplier checks, import paperwork and delivery considered before shipment.
Discuss your sourcing needsPlan your first order
- Apply for the IEC unless the importer clearly falls into an exemption category.
- Confirm or update IEC details in the annual April 1 to June 30 window when required.
- Register on ICEGATE with matching PAN and filing credentials.
- Check the item under ITC (HS) to confirm whether it is free, restricted, or prohibited.
- Screen product-specific controls such as BIS, FSSAI, CDSCO, or quarantine where relevant.
- Prepare invoice, packing list, transport document, and supporting certificates before arrival.
- Plan Bill-of-Entry filing and e-Sanchit uploads before the goods reach customs.
Import requirements
Get the IEC and product-policy check right first, then align ICEGATE, supporting documents, and regulator approvals before the shipment lands.
- IEC
- ICEGATE
- ITC (HS)
- Bill of Entry
FTP 2023 still governs the baseline
Foreign Trade Policy 2023 took effect on April 1, 2023 and remains the operating baseline unless amended, so beginners should build around today's DGFT framework rather than old import tutorials.
DGFT FTP 2023IEC maintenance is now a recurring task
DGFT says IEC details must be confirmed or updated online every year during April 1 to June 30, and primary changes should be updated within 30 days.
DGFT Handbook of ProceduresChina-linked imports remain economically relevant
India's Commerce Ministry answered on February 6, 2026 that a large share of imports from China continues to support electronics, pharma, telecom, and power sectors.
Ministry of Commerce answerPrior Bill of Entry can speed the first shipment
ICEGATE says a prior Bill of Entry can be filed before arrival and remains valid if the vessel or aircraft arrives within 30 days of presentation.
ICEGATE FAQFrom order to delivery
File Bill of Entry
The customs file is lodged through the e-filing process, including any prior Bill of Entry where that route is being used.
Upload support documents
Supporting papers are provided through e-Sanchit and matched to the customs filing so the assessment file is complete.
Handle customs action
Customs may process directly, raise a query, or route the goods into examination or appraisal depending on the case.
Get Out of Charge
Once duties and IGST are paid and the examination path is complete, customs grants Out of Charge and the goods can move onward.
Market context
India can still be worth it for disciplined buyers importing from China in 2026, especially in components, standardized goods, and production inputs. The key is to treat IEC, ICEGATE, and product-policy checks as the start of the buying process, not the admin work at the end.
China remains commercially relevant
India's Commerce Ministry has continued to describe China-linked imports as significant for capital goods, intermediate goods, and raw materials in major industrial sectors, which keeps the lane commercially meaningful in 2026.
The path is formal but reusable
India's import route is paperwork-driven, yet once IEC, ICEGATE, and category checks are organized, the same file discipline can support repeated orders.
Policy discipline protects beginners
The safest first step in India is not chasing the lowest quote. It is choosing products whose policy status, labeling, and regulator exposure are already understood.
Choosing your sourcing partners
- Choose a partner who screens ITC (HS) policy before supplier comparison starts.
- Ask whether they can flag BIS, food, drug, or quarantine issues before the deposit is sent.
- Prefer teams that understand ICEGATE and the Bill-of-Entry document chain, not only factory sourcing.
- Look for partners who keep the first import file reusable for follow-on shipments.