New to Importing in India? Here's Where to Start.

The 6 Steps Every First-Time Importer Needs

Step 1: Get Your IEC Code

The Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is your permanent 10-digit identity with DGFT. Without it, Indian customs will not clear your cargo. Applying is straightforward: use your PAN, bank details, and address proof on the DGFT portal, pay ₹500, and receive your IEC within 2–3 working days. GST registration is also mandatory because import IGST is assessed against your GSTIN. Read our full IEC Code Guide →

Step 2: Find and Verify Your Supplier

Most Indian first-timers source from China, and for good reason: competitive pricing, mature manufacturing, and scale. But not every supplier on Alibaba or at trade fairs is reliable. Request a business licence, ask for factory audit reports, order samples before committing to bulk, and verify that the supplier has export experience to India. Read our China Import Guide →

Step 3: Understand Your Product's Compliance Requirements

Indian regulators require specific approvals before many products can enter the country. Electronics generally need BIS or WPC clearance. Food and supplements require FSSAI registration. Cosmetics need CDSCO or LMPC certification. Medical devices need CDSCO import licences. Skipping this step can lead to cargo seizure, penalties, or forced re-export. Use our Compliance Checker →

Step 4: Calculate Your Real Landed Cost Before You Order

The biggest shock for new importers is the gap between the supplier's invoice and the actual cost to receive the goods. Your landed cost includes the supplier price (FOB or EXW), international freight, insurance, Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Integrated GST (IGST), cess, customs clearance fees, port handling, and inland transport. A ₹5,00,000 shipment can easily attract ₹1,50,000–₹2,00,000 in duties and taxes. Model this before you confirm the purchase order. Use our Landing Cost Calculator →

Step 5: Choose Air vs Sea Freight

Air freight is fast—typically 3–5 days from China plus 2–3 days for clearance—but expensive for heavy cargo. Sea freight is economical for volumes above 0.5 CBM, with transit times of 18–25 days from China to India, plus customs clearance. If your cargo is under 100 kg and time-sensitive, air is usually the right call. Above 500 kg or with flexible timelines, sea freight can cut transport costs by 40–60 percent. Read our Air vs Sea Freight Guide →

Step 6: Prepare Your Documents and Clear Customs

Before your supplier dispatches the cargo, confirm you have: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading or Airway Bill, insurance certificate, and product-specific compliance certificates. The HS code on the invoice must be accurate because it determines your duty rate. Once cargo arrives, a licensed CHA files the Bill of Entry, pays duties through ICEGATE, coordinates any customs examination, and arranges release. Download our Import Documents Checklist →

Tools to Get You Started Today

We built eight free calculators and checklists so you can plan your first import with confidence. Every tool is designed for Indian importers and uses current duty structures and freight assumptions.

Common First-Timer Mistakes

• Using the wrong HS code: An incorrect classification triggers duty disputes, penalties, and customs delays. Always double-check with a licensed CHA or our HS Code Finder.
• Skipping the compliance check: Importing electronics without BIS/WPC or food without FSSAI can result in immediate seizure and heavy fines.
• Ignoring demurrage and detention: If you do not clear sea cargo promptly, port storage charges accumulate fast. Plan your CHA engagement and document readiness before arrival.
• Exposing yourself to FX risk: Supplier invoices are usually in USD. A 3 percent rupee depreciation between order and payment can wipe out your margin. Consider hedging or quoting in INR where possible.
• Shipping without insurance: International freight involves multiple handoffs. Marine cargo insurance is inexpensive and protects you against loss or damage during transit.

When to Bring in a CHA

A first-time importer should speak to a CHA before paying the supplier when the product may need BIS, WPC, FSSAI, CDSCO, LMPC, plant quarantine, or any other approval. Early review helps confirm the HS code, estimate duty, identify restricted goods, and plan the right freight mode before money is locked into the order. Sea Air can review your product details, supplier invoice, packing list, and expected shipment size so your first import starts with a realistic landed cost and a clear clearance path.

FAQs for New Importers