Shipping from China to India

Welcome to TopShipping’s India Shipping Services! Do you think shipping from China to India would be a challenge? Stay tuned as we delve deeper!

TopShipping will offer you air, land, and sea transports to ship your cargo fast and effectively from China to India.

It is offered: Services of door-to-door delivery, determined by the volume and nature of the goods, and the express option.

We will be covering, within this guide:

  • Various shipping options from China to India
  • How customs clearance is performed
  • Shipping cost and time of transit

Our team has huge experience with customs clearance in India, working with competent authorities to get the things done smoothly without any hassle for you. As a reliable shipping company, we stand with you right from the initial stages to the final delivery of your goods. Let’s get shipping from China to India seamlessly and without stress!

Customs Clearance in India

That would mean your shipment on arrival in India gets a customs check, where all the documents accompanying the goods are put under scrutiny, and the actual goods are checked physically. Customs clearance in India might take just a few hours to several days, depending on the prevailing circumstances. In addition to import duties and costs, India assesses a 1% customs handling fee on all imports, calculated on top of the total value of the goods plus freight and insurance. Because customs clearance in India is cumbersome, along with the stringency of the laws, most importers allow the handling by TopShipping.

With TopShipping, we can take care of every step in customs clearance for shipping from China to India. You needn’t prepare any documents yourself because our specialized team at TopShipping will do that. Since all customs fees are estimated and thus included in your cost of shipping, one doesn’t have to face problems in this regard.

Necessary documents for customs clearance in India

Following are the major documents generally required for customs clearance in India:

Bill of Lading [B/L] or Airway Bill [AWB]:

It is a very important document on shipment, providing details about the type, quantity, and destination of goods being consigned.

Commercial Invoice:

This is the invoice to be furnished by the seller to the buyer, stating the goods sold, their value, and terms of sale.

Packing List:

A document that provides the detailed description of contents, dimensions, and weight of each package in the shipment.

Import Declaration Form (Bill of Entry):

A document that must necessarily be filed by the importer or his custom broker, which states the detailed account of the goods being imported, and declares them for duty and tax assessment.

Certificate of Origin:

A document attesting the country where the goods were manufactured, and often required for tariff concessions under trade agreements.

Insurance Certificate:

Proof of insurance coverage for the goods to be shipped, value covered, and terms of insurance.

Letter of Credit or Payment Terms:

Document showing the way payment for the merchandise is to be effected by the buyer, which ensures that the financial transaction takes place according to the terms agreed upon by the buyer and the seller.

Import License (if applicable):

There are certain goods that require an Import License issued by the Indian Authorities. This is necessary in the case of restricted or regulated items.

Industrial License (if applicable):

Required for the importation of items subject to specific industries that are regulated or licensed by the Government of India.|

Proforma Invoice (for pre-shipment inspection):

A draft bill of sale in advance to buyers before a shipment or delivery of goods is made.

GATT / DGFT Declaration:

Forms and declarations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

HS Code:

Harmonized System Code: This classifies the imported goods and determines the duties and taxes payable.

TopShipping’s Role in Document Preparation

At TopShipping, we streamline the customs clearance process by preparing all necessary documents for you. Our experienced team ensures that every required form and certificate is accurately completed and submitted, preventing delays and ensuring compliance with Indian customs regulations. This comprehensive service is part of our commitment to making your shipping experience from China to India as seamless as possible.

Shipping Routes from China to India with TopShipping

Being large countries with big economies, China and India have to do with several shipping routes either by sea, land, or air. Shipping Ways At TopShipping, we have different ways of shipping that match the quantity and sensitivity of your products. Major cities in origin such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, among others in China, to major cities in destination such as Chennai, Mumbai among others in India, we make sure that shipment is efficiently and reliably transported. The listed below are our shipping methods:

Air Freight from China to India:

Fast and efficient, it is ideal for urgent and highly valuable shipments.

Sea Freight from China to India:

It is cost-effective in the case of large and heavy cargo and hence can be utilized for bulk shipments.

Rail Freight from China to India:

A very good option in terms of cost vs. speed, this is pretty good for inland transportation.

Door-to-Door Shipping from China to India:

This involves a comprehensive service right from pickup to the final delivery; hence, it is very convenient.

Express Shipping from China to India:

This is the fastest option for small and time-sensitive shipments, with an assurance of rapid delivery.

Whichever means TopShipping has at your disposal, rest assured that your goods are treated with the utmost care and efficiency that make the shipping experience seamless and hassle-free.

Air freight from China to India

Air freight is a popular shipping method between China and India due to its speed and reliability. While it is more expensive than sea freight, air transport is the ideal solution for those requiring rapid delivery of their goods. With numerous international airports across both countries—India boasting many and China with over 60—direct flights between the two nations are frequent and efficient. Several international cargo airlines, such as China Cargo Airlines, provide direct services and have offices at key locations like Chennai International Airport.

If you have time-sensitive or delicate products, TopShipping offers air freight services from China to India. We ensure your goods are transported swiftly and safely, leveraging the extensive network of international airports and cargo lines to meet your delivery needs promptly.

Air freight rates from China to India (shipping cost)

Generally speaking, the cost of air freight from China to India costs approximately 1.50-4.50 dollars per kilogram. All these depend on the weight of the product, origin, and destination. Even though cargo transport is comparatively expensive compared to other modes of freight, air cargo is highly reliable in the transport of perishable goods, documents, pharmaceuticals, and other urgent items.

The cost of air shipments can be determined by multiplying the rate per “chargeable weight” by the weight or volume of the products. Using the same example above, using a cost of $2.40 per kilogram and weight to be charged of 1.030 x 167 = 172.01 kgs, the total shipping cost from China to India would be $413.

Please refer to the more detailed cost below for the table from different cities in China to some Indian cities:

From AirPort

To  AirPort

100kg Cost per Kilogram

500kg Cost per Kilogram

1000kg Cost per Kilogram

Shanghai 

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

$831-$920

$1240-$1774

$1856-$2862

Beijing 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai

$847-$1175

$1228-$1784

$1725-$2660

Guangzhou

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru

$831-$1021

$1244-$1821

$1863-$2603

Hong Kong 

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata

$825-$892

$4019-$4132

$8047-$8160

Shenzhen

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

$831-$1172

$1397-$1505

$2188-$2272

Why Choose TopShipping for Air Freight

TopShipping ensures that your air freight from China to India is handled with the utmost care and efficiency. Our services are designed to meet the highest standards of reliability and speed, making us the ideal choice for your urgent shipping needs.

Air Freight Transit Time from China to India with TopShipping

Speaking about the selection of the air shipping method from China to India, one needs to consider the time in transit the particular freight will take. Because most customers want their goods to arrive sooner, they prefer to entrust us with air freight. If there is a pressing need concerning the arrival of cargo, we would strongly recommend opting for services related to airway shipping by our company.

Generally speaking, air freight from China to India takes up to 2-7 days or so. Of course, the exact time is determined by the specific origin and destination city. Please refer to the estimated transit times of some city pairs below for your reference.

Sea Freight from China to India with TopShipping

Sea freight is relatively the cheapest means of shipping goods from China to India. It has low costs and does not have limitations on either the type or the quantity of cargo to be shipped. With regards to the best shipping mode from the ports of China to that of India, you have two main options for container shipping: Full Container Load and Less Than Container Load.

Full-Container-Load

If you have a large shipment, then FCL is pretty much the better option. Here’s why:

  • Cost-Effective for Large Volumes: FCL is usually cheaper per unit of cargo than LCL when shipments are larger.
  • Reduced Risk of Damage: Since the container is solely dedicated to your goods, there’s less handling and, subsequently, a lower risk of damage while in transit.
  • Faster Transit Times: Because there is no need for consolidation and deconsolidation at the ports, FCL shipments have faster transit times. Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) LCL would be a perfect option when there is a smaller shipment volume. Cost-effective for Small Volume: Because of LCL, this allows the sharing of the container with other shipments. Thus, it remains more cost-effective when there is a small volume.
  • Flexibility: LCL offers you the flexibility to ship smaller quantities without having to wait until you have enough merchandise to fill a container.
  • Frequent Departures: Very often, LCL shipments have more frequent sailing schedules, offering you greater flexibility in planning your shipment.

Choosing the Right Port

It is very important to choose appropriate ports for your cargo shipment. The main China ports, such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, are well-connected with major Indian ports, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. TopShipping will always be able to support you in finding the right route and ports that serve the best purpose for your needs and cargo requirements.

Sea Freight Rates from China to India with TopShipping

Sea freight rates from China to India are relatively inexpensive as opposed to other methods of delivery. In determining these rates, these range from the type of shipment, whether FCL or LCL, the weight and volume of shipment, the nature of the goods, distance, cost of fuel, and customs and handling charges.

Below is a table showing the rates of both FCL and LCL from major cities in China to major cities in India for further understanding. For example, when you will have heavy shipments from Shanghai to Mumbai; FCL rate ranges from 1200-1800 $, and LCL at close to 50 $ per cubic meter.

From Sea Port

To  Sea Port

FCL 20-foot

FCL 40-foot

40HC

45HC

Shanghai 

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Nhava Sheva), Mumbai

$5085-$5249

$5389-$5426

$5706-5800

$6554-$6746

Beijing 

Mundra Port, Gujarat

$3793-$4998

$4127-$4936

$4127-$4936

$5055-$5892

Guangzhou

Chennai Port, Chennai

$3216-$3299

$3573-$360

$3573-$3704

$4344-$4649

Shenzhen

Kandla Port, Gujarat

$3318-$3222

$2291-$3781

$3721-$3981

$4565-$5382

Shenzhen

Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh

$3042-$3122

$2192-$3529

$3529-$3919

$4194-$4675

Sea Freight Transit Time from China to India with TopShipping

Sea freight transit time from China to India refers to the time it takes from picking up your shipment at origin in China to arriving at a destination port or a house address in India.

Sea shipping from China to India offers port-to-port services, and the general transit time falls between 15-22 days.

Precisely how long it takes depends on the particular ports of departure and arrival, and whether you go with Full-Container-Load or Less-Than-Container-Load.

Why Choose Sea Freight with TopShipping?

Sea freight is an economical choice for transporting large volumes of heavy goods from China to India. TopShipping ensures:

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Sea freight offers lower costs compared to air freight, making it ideal for bulk shipments.
  • Capacity for Heavy Goods: It allows transportation of heavy and oversized items that may not be suitable for air transport.
  • Reliability: Our comprehensive sea freight services include reliable scheduling and tracking, ensuring your cargo arrives on time.

For precise transit times based on your specific shipment and further assistance, please contact our team at TopShipping. We provide tailored solutions to meet your sea freight needs from China to India.

Rail Freight from China to India with TopShipping

Rail freight, on the other hand, is quite attractive for shipment from China to India, offering a fine balance between the speed at which the air freight moves and the volumetric capacity of sea freight. It is considered to be one of the third most popular options for transportation of goods between these two countries. TopShipping offers efficient and reliable rail freight services from China to India.

Here’s a thing or two to remember if you want to ensure that rail freight is cost-effective: Ship cargo with at least 2 CBM; your destination should be close to a railway station to reduce the cost of transport from the railway station to your destination. Also, import cost and customs fees in China and India will need to be processed efficiently to avoid exponential increases in total costs.

Key Benefits of Rail Freight from China to India with TopShipping Include:

  • Speed and Efficiency: Even though it is not as fast as air freights, it offers quicker transit times compared to sea freight. If the shipments want faster delivery, and if there is something more than Ocean Transport, then rail freight will be a good fit.
  • Cost-effective: This is the right balance for middle-sized shipment cost between air and sea freight.
  • Reliability: One can be certain of the reliability of TopShipping rail freight services as the firm takes care of the entire transportation process right from collection in China down to delivery at a railway station in India.

Key Factors to Consider in Rail Freight

  • Minimum Volume Shipment: For cost efficiency, at least 2 cubic meters cargo shipment is required
  • Proximity to Railway Stations: Choose destinations in India that are close to railway stations to minimize inland transportation costs.
  • Customs and Import Fees: Effective customs clearance and import fees both in the countries further ensure that the bottom-line prices of shipping remain viable.

TopShipping, with long experience and expertise in rail freight logistics, can thus assure you that your shipment will be moved effectively and at an economical rate from China to India. In case one wants personalized counseling and a detailed quotation for the shipment, please reach out to the team at TopShipping.

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