China is India's largest source of imports by a wide margin. In FY 2024-25, India imported approximately
01 billion worth of goods from China, making it the single largest import origin. The trade deficit with China stood at roughly $85 billion. The largest bilateral trade deficit India has with any country.
India did not sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020, which means there is no Free Trade Agreement between India and China. All Chinese imports into India attract full MFN (Most Favoured Nation) tariff rates under the WTO framework. India has also progressively raised tariffs on several Chinese product categories over the past few years as part of its "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) policy push.
Metric
Value (FY 2024-25)
India's imports from China
~
01 billion
India's exports to China
~
6 billion
Trade deficit
~$85 billion
China's rank as import source
#1 (largest)
Free Trade Agreement
None (RCEP not signed)
Top imports from China include electronic components and smartphones, telecom equipment, computer hardware, industrial machinery, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), organic chemicals, plastics, auto components, and solar cells. Many Indian manufacturers depend on Chinese intermediate goods even as finished-goods tariffs have risen.
BCD Rates by Major Product Category
Basic Customs Duty (BCD) is the primary tariff levied on imports into India. Rates vary significantly by product category and HS code. The table below shows indicative BCD ranges for the most commonly imported product categories from China. Always verify the exact rate for your specific HS code on ICEGATE or the CBIC tariff schedule.
Product Category
BCD Range
Notes
Electronics (components, PCBs)
0-20%
0% on many components; 20% on finished goods like smartphones
Machinery & equipment
7.5-10%
Lower rates on capital goods not manufactured in India
Chemicals (organic & inorganic)
5-10%
APIs and intermediates often at 5%; finished chemicals higher
Plastics & plastic articles
5-10%
Raw polymers at 5%; finished plastic goods at 10%
Toys
60-70%
Sharply raised from 20% in 2020 to protect domestic industry
Furniture
20-25%
Includes ready-to-assemble and knocked-down furniture
Auto parts & components
7.5-15%
Varies by component; safety-critical parts often at lower rates
Iron & steel products
7.5-15%
Many items also attract anti-dumping duty
Textiles & fabrics
10-20%
Finished garments at 20%; raw fabrics lower
Solar cells & modules
25-40%
BCD on solar cells raised to 25%, modules to 40% from April 2022
Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Products
India has more anti-dumping duty orders against China than against any other country. As of mid-2026, there are over 100 active anti-dumping orders covering Chinese products across a wide range of categories. Anti-dumping duty (ADD) is levied in addition to BCD, SWS, and IGST, and can dramatically increase your landed cost.
Commonly Affected Product Categories
Steel and steel products. HR coils, CR coils, stainless steel flat products, colour-coated steel, wire rods, seamless tubes and pipes.
Fibers and textiles. Viscose staple fibre, nylon tyre cord fabric, polyester yarn, acrylic fibre.
Tyres. New pneumatic tyres for buses and trucks of Chinese origin.
Glass and ceramics. Float glass, solar glass, ceramic tableware, vitrified tiles.
Electronics. Certain types of flexible slabstock polyol, optical fibre cables.
How to Check If Your Product Is Covered
Visit DGTR website. Go to dgtr.gov.in and navigate to "Anti-Dumping" → "Final Findings / Duty Imposed."
Search by HS code. Look up your 8-digit HS code in the active orders database. Each order specifies the duty amount (either fixed per unit or as a percentage of assessed value).
Check the country scope. Anti-dumping orders are country-specific. An order on "China PR" applies to Chinese-origin goods even if shipped via a third country (anti-circumvention rules).
Verify sunset review status. Anti-dumping orders are valid for 5 years but can be extended via sunset reviews. Check if the order on your product is up for review or has been extended.
BIS/CRS Mandatory Certification
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandates compulsory certification for over 370 product categories under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and the ISI Certification Mark Scheme. For imports from China, this is one of the most common reasons for shipments getting stuck at customs.
Products Requiring BIS/CRS Certification
Electronics. Power adapters, chargers, LED drivers, switch mode power supplies, cables, audio/video equipment, IT equipment, UPS systems, set-top boxes.
Toys. All toys for children under 14 years must be certified under IS 9873 and IS 15644 (no exceptions for e-commerce or gifting).
Helmets. Protective helmets for two-wheeler riders under IS 4151.
Apply online at manakonline.bis.gov.in with product details
Sample testing at BIS-recognised lab
4-6 weeks
Samples sent to NABL-accredited or BIS-recognised testing lab
Factory inspection (for ISI Mark)
2-3 weeks
BIS officer inspects the Chinese factory; not required for CRS
Certificate issuance
1-2 weeks
Registration number issued; valid for 2 years (renewable)
Total timeline: 8-12 weeks from application to certificate issuance. Cost: Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh depending on the product category, testing complexity, and whether a factory inspection is required. Testing costs are charged separately by the lab.
WPC Approval for Wireless Devices
Any product containing a wireless communication module (Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, NFC, cellular modem, or any RF transmitter/receiver) requires approval from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before import.
ETA (Equipment Type Approval). Required for all radio equipment that transmits. Involves RF testing at a DoT-recognised lab.
Import licence. After ETA, an import licence must be obtained from WPC for each consignment.
Common products affected. Bluetooth speakers, wireless earbuds, WiFi routers, smart watches, IoT sensors, wireless keyboards/mice, drones, two-way radios.
Timeline. ETA takes 4-8 weeks; import licence takes 2-4 weeks after ETA approval.
FSSAI Import Licensing for Food Products
Any food product, food ingredient, food additive, or food contact material imported from China requires prior licensing from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Given heightened scrutiny on Chinese food imports, compliance is strictly enforced.
FSSAI Import Requirements
FSSAI Central Licence. All food importers must hold a Central FSSAI Licence (not State). The licence number must be quoted on every Bill of Entry.
Prior import approval. Certain categories (milk products, meat, seafood) require prior sanitary import permits from the concerned ministry.
NOC at port. FSSAI officers at the port of entry draw samples and issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) after testing. Goods remain in customs bond until the NOC is received.
Labeling compliance. All food products must carry labels in English or Hindi with ingredients, nutritional info, manufacturing date, best before date, FSSAI logo, and importer details. Non-compliant labels mean rejection.
Customs Clearance Process at JNPT/Nhava Sheva
JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) at Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai handles approximately 50% of India's containerised cargo and is the primary port of entry for Chinese imports. Here is the step-by-step customs clearance process.
Clearance Steps
01 Obtain IGM (Import General Manifest). The shipping line files the IGM with customs before the vessel arrives. Your customs broker tracks the IGM number.
02 File Bill of Entry on [ICEGATE](/resources/icegate-guide). Your customs broker files the BoE electronically. Include HS code, assessable value, BIS certificate number, and any applicable anti-dumping duty notification.
03 Risk Management System (RMS) assessment. ICEGATE's RMS assigns a risk score. Low-risk consignments get a "green channel" (direct out-of-charge); high-risk consignments are routed for examination.
04 Duty assessment and payment. Customs assesses the duty (BCD + SWS + IGST + any ADD). Pay via ICEGATE's e-payment facility. IGST paid is claimable as input tax credit under GST.
05 Examination (if flagged). Customs officers physically inspect the container. They verify product description, quantity, weight, and origin against the commercial invoice and packing list.
06 Out-of-charge order. Once examination is complete and duties are paid, the assessing officer issues an out-of-charge order. You can now collect the container from the CFS (Container Freight Station).
07 Delivery to warehouse. Arrange transportation from the CFS to your warehouse. Standard delivery within Mumbai takes 1-2 days; upcountry delivery via truck takes 3-7 days depending on distance.
Plant Quarantine for Wooden Packaging
If your Chinese shipment uses wooden packaging material (pallets, crates, dunnage, or wooden frames) it must comply with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM-15). The Indian Plant Quarantine authority enforces this at all ports of entry.
ISPM-15 stamp. All wooden packaging must bear the ISPM-15 treatment mark (heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation) with the producer's country code and registration number.
Consequences of non-compliance. Goods with non-compliant wooden packaging are either fumigated at the port (at the importer's cost, Rs 15,000-50,000 per container) or re-exported.
Alternative. Switch to non-wood packing materials (plastic pallets, metal frames, engineered wood products) to avoid ISPM-15 requirements entirely.
EPR Registration Requirement
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is now mandatory for importers of electronics (e-waste), plastic packaging, tyres, batteries, and used oil. As an importer, you are considered the "producer" for EPR purposes and must register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
E-waste EPR. Applies to importers of electrical and electronic equipment (IT equipment, consumer electronics, lighting, toys with electronic components). Register on the CPCB EPR portal.
Plastic packaging EPR. If your imported goods come in plastic packaging, you must either register for plastic waste EPR or use an authorised Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO).
Battery waste EPR. Importers of lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, and battery-powered products must register under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.
Total Landed Cost Example
Let's calculate the total landed cost for a typical import from China:
,000 FOB value of electronic components (HS code 8534) with a BCD rate of 10%.
Component
Calculation
Amount (USD)
FOB Value
Purchase price ex-China
,000.00
Freight
Sea freight (approx. 8-10% of FOB)
$90.00
Insurance
1.125% of CIF (or actual)
2.30
CIF Value (Assessable Value)
FOB + Freight + Insurance
,102.30
BCD @ 10%
10% of CIF
10.23
SWS @ 10% of BCD
Social Welfare Surcharge
1.02
Value for IGST
CIF + BCD + SWS
,223.55
IGST @ 18%
18% of (CIF + BCD + SWS)
$220.24
Total Landed Cost
CIF + BCD + SWS + IGST
,443.79
On a
,000 FOB purchase, the total duties and taxes add approximately $341.49 (34.1%) to your cost. Note that IGST ($220.24) is claimable as input tax credit if you are a GST-registered business, bringing the effective non-recoverable duty to about
21.25 (12.1%) .
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We see the same mistakes trip up importers repeatedly. Here are the most expensive ones and how to avoid them.
Wrong HS Classification
Misclassifying your product under the wrong HS code can result in paying the wrong duty rate (either too much or too little). If customs disagrees with your classification, they will reassess the duty, potentially adding penalties of 15-25% of the differential duty. Get a binding classification ruling from CBIC before importing if you are unsure.
Missing BIS Certificate
Importing a BIS-regulated product without the CRS registration certificate means your goods cannot be cleared. The container will sit at the CFS accruing demurrage ($50-150/day) and detention charges while you scramble to get certification. A process that takes 8-12 weeks. In extreme cases, goods must be re-exported.
Not Checking Anti-Dumping Orders
Anti-dumping duty can double or triple the effective tariff on your product. Importers who calculate landed cost based on BCD alone get a shock when customs adds ADD at assessment. Always check DGTR's active orders before finalising your purchase order.
Undervaluation (Transaction Value Database)
Indian customs maintains a Transaction Value Database (NIDB/NCTV) of past import values by HS code and origin country. If your declared CIF value is significantly below the database average, customs will flag the consignment for Special Valuation Branch (SVB) inquiry. This can freeze your shipment for weeks and result in a higher assessed value. Declare the actual transaction value. Never ask your Chinese supplier to understate the invoice.
Ignoring Country of Origin Rules
Some importers try to route Chinese goods through ASEAN countries to claim FTA preferential rates. Indian customs is highly alert to this. They verify Certificates of Origin, check for value addition in the transshipment country, and conduct anti-circumvention investigations. Fraudulent origin declarations attract penalties of up to 5x the duty evaded and potential criminal prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the customs duty on importing goods from China to India in 2026?
India applies MFN tariff rates on Chinese imports since there is no FTA. BCD varies widely: electronics 0-20%, machinery 7.5-10%, chemicals 5-10%, toys 60-70%, furniture 20-25%, auto parts 7.5-15%. On top of BCD, you pay Social Welfare Surcharge (10% of BCD) and IGST (typically 18%). Many Chinese products also attract anti-dumping duties. Use our landed cost calculator for your exact product.
Do I need BIS certification to import products from China?
Yes, for over 370 product categories. BIS mandates CRS registration for electronics, toys, helmets, steel, chemicals, and many other products. Without a valid certificate, customs will not clear the goods. The process takes 8-12 weeks and costs Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. You must also obtain IEC registration before you can import anything into India.
How do I check if my product has anti-dumping duty when importing from China?
India has over 100 active anti-dumping orders on Chinese products. Visit the DGTR website at dgtr.gov.in and search the active orders database by HS code or product description. You can also check on ICEGATE or consult a customs broker. ADD can range from a few percent to over 100% of assessed value, so always verify before placing an order.