Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and seven more — see which costs sit with us and which sit with you
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to India is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
Service Details
China to India Sea Freight — how the lane runs
This is our sea freight service from China to India. Departure is from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Yiwu or Shanghai; entry is through Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai, with clearance handled by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
India is the largest South Asian lane but the least DDP-friendly. Duty and IGST must be paid against the consignee's own IEC and GSTIN, so a true door-to-door duty-paid where the forwarder acts as importer is rarely possible — in practice the structure is DAP with duty prepaid on the buyer's behalf. Clarify this before quoting, because it changes who can recover the IGST input credit.
Route facts
| Destination country | India |
|---|---|
| Region | South Asia |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai |
| Transit, China to gateway | 7–14 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season | Aug–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Mumbai — financial capital and the largest single import market. Via BOM air / Nhava Sheva sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Delhi NCR — the northern consumption and distribution centre. Via DEL air / Mundra sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Bengaluru — technology and electronics manufacturing hub. Via BLR air / Chennai sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Chennai — southern port city and automotive cluster. Via MAA air / Chennai sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Hyderabad — pharmaceutical and IT centre. Via HYD air / Chennai sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Pune — automotive and engineering manufacturing belt. Via BOM air / Nhava Sheva sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Ahmedabad — Gujarat trading and textile centre. Via AMD air / Mundra sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Kolkata — eastern India gateway. Via CCU air / Kolkata sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Surat — textile and diamond processing city. Via AMD air / Hazira sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Jaipur — Rajasthan handicraft and gem trading centre. Via DEL air / Mundra sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Kochi — Kerala port city and spice trade base. Via COK air / Cochin sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Coimbatore — engineering and textile machinery cluster. Via MAA air / Tuticorin sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Ludhiana — Punjab hosiery and bicycle manufacturing centre. Via DEL air / Mundra sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Noida — electronics assembly and export zone. Via DEL air / Mundra sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
Every consignment on this service is measured as well as weighed. Volumetric weight is L×W×H in centimetres divided by 6000 — one cubic metre counted as roughly 166.7 kg — and whichever figure is higher is the one charged. Dense cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on its volume, and repacking to raise density is often the cheapest saving available on a India shipment.
Typical cargo on this route: electrical cabinets (HS 85 / 8541), where clearance turns on cE and IEC conformity, and a check that voltage and grid code match the destination, kitchen appliances (HS 84 / 85) and bolts (HS 73 / 82 / 83). If yours is on that list the commodity page is worth two minutes — it covers how the goods should leave the factory, how they should sit in the container, and the failure mode we see most often on this kind of freight.
We move sea freight cargo for India through Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), Mundra and Chennai. The quoted rate covers the ocean leg to whichever of those the vessel calls at; the difference between them shows up in the trucking cost beyond the quay, which is why it pays to name the delivery city when you ask for a quote rather than just the country.
Inland coverage matters more than the port rate for most consignees. We deliver to Mundra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Surat and beyond, and the guide for each sets out its arrival gateway, the inland days to add to the transit quoted here, and the documentation the local office actually asks for. You can browse all India destinations we cover, 16 destinations in total.
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A container number is four letters and seven digits, for example MSKU6090510. The last digit is a check digit, so a typo can be caught here rather than by an empty result on the carrier's site. We validate it in your browser — the number is not sent to us or to anyone else.
Additional Information
Duty, tax and documents for India
Basic customs duty 0–20% plus IGST 5–28% plus a social welfare surcharge of 10% of the duty. The de-minimis position is No commercial de-minimis; gift relief up to INR 5,000 only.
Conformity: BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme for electronics; WPC/ETA approval for wireless devices; the consignee must hold a valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC).
Known friction points: BIS registration for electronics is enforced strictly and cannot be fixed after arrival. Toys, steel and several electronics categories need quality-control-order compliance. Confirm the consignee's IEC and GSTIN before the goods leave China.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into India
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) or your broker before shipping.
Where these numbers come from
Treat the landed-cost numbers here as a planning baseline. Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs sets the rate that actually gets charged, assessed against your HS classification at the moment of clearance, so their own guidance is worth reading before a large order.
If you want to sanity-check a duty figure yourself, start from the heading rather than the product name — the WCO Harmonized System is the underlying nomenclature, and the WTO Tariff & Trade Data portal holds the applied rates by country pair.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
On the origin side, export declaration and any commodity inspection requirement fall under China Customs (GACC); we handle that filing as part of the service, but the requirement is theirs, not ours.
If this is your first shipment into India, the India Country Commercial Guide covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking.
China to India — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | No commercial de-minimis; gift relief up to INR 5,000 only |
| Import tax & duty regime | Basic customs duty 0–20% plus IGST 5–28% plus a social welfare surcharge of 10% of the duty |
| Local currency | INR |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 3–8 days |
| Peak / busy season | Aug–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme for electronics; WPC/ETA approval for wireless devices; the consignee must hold a valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to India. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this India route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →India Sea Freight Checklist
- Reserve loading space 5-7 days before the sailing cut-off for this route during peak season.
- Confirm whether your India rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
- Check pallet vs floor-loading: floor loading typically fits 8-12% more cartons per container.
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in India or only ocean freight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to India take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 3–8 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into India?
Clearance is handled by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The regime is: Basic customs duty 0–20% plus IGST 5–28% plus a social welfare surcharge of 10% of the duty, with a de-minimis position of No commercial de-minimis; gift relief up to INR 5,000 only. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
In what currency is this route priced and paid?
Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is INR. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once.
Which ports or airports does this route use into India?
Sea cargo to India clears through Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai; air freight clears via DEL (Delhi), BOM (Mumbai), MAA (Chennai). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to India?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Nhava Sheva (JNPA, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai. Surcharges apply.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000, so one cubic metre counts as about 166.7 kg) and charge whichever is greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above. A 300 kg consignment measuring out to only 200 kg volumetric is still charged on the 300 kg.
Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to India with us.
🇮🇳 India
We used this route for a regular replenishment to India. The shipment details were handled carefully. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to India through this team. The shipment details were handled carefully. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to India. The shipment details were handled carefully. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Delivery was predictable and easy to budget for.
This was a DDP shipment to India for mixed cartons. Transit took a little patience but stayed under control. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
This was a DDP shipment to India for mixed cartons. The shipment details were handled carefully. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to India through this team. Transit took a little patience but stayed under control. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We tested this lane to India with a mid-volume order. Transit took a little patience but stayed under control. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to India through this team. The shipment details were handled carefully. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Delivery was predictable and easy to budget for.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to India. Transit took a little patience but stayed under control. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to India. Transit took a little patience but stayed under control. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to India through this team. The shipment details were handled carefully. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We tested this lane to India with a mid-volume order. The shipment details were handled carefully. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Very reliable for importing electronics. The declared value process was handled professionally and duties were prepaid.
Delivery was a few days behind schedule but goods arrived in perfect condition. The DDP coverage was genuinely all-inclusive.
Great tracking visibility throughout the shipment. The team answered questions promptly via WhatsApp.
Solid option for sea freight. Communication could be slightly faster but no major issues.
Decent service but transit took about a week longer than quoted. Goods arrived undamaged which is the main thing.
Shipment arrived on schedule with zero issues at customs. DDP pricing was exactly as quoted, no surprise charges. Highly recommend.
The pricing is fair and the process is straightforward. Took a bit longer than estimated but no damage to goods.
Inland Delivery Coverage — India
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Mundra AMD air / Mundra sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Nhava Sheva BOM air / Nhava Sheva sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Mumbai BOM air / Nhava Sheva sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Delhi NCR DEL air / Mundra sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Bengaluru BLR air / Chennai sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Chennai MAA air / Chennai sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Hyderabad HYD air / Chennai sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Pune BOM air / Nhava Sheva sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Ahmedabad AMD air / Mundra sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Kolkata CCU air / Kolkata sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Surat AMD air / Hazira sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Jaipur DEL air / Mundra sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
Shipping India cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Salon Furniture Beauty, Personal Care & Wellness
- Pet Products Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Umbrellas Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Private Label Products E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Bolts Metal Products & Industrial Components
- CNC Machines General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Industrial Furnaces General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Solar Inverter New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Energy Storage System New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Building Materials Building Materials & Construction Products
- Construction Hardware Building Materials & Construction Products
- Plastic Products Plastics, Rubber & Packaging