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India ⇄ China trade
India ⇄ China: export & import guidelines
A practical guide for both directions. Indian exporters can see what China requires before goods are cleared. Chinese manufacturers can see China's export rules and what India requires on arrival. Gulshan Marwah handles the India side for you in either direction.
- India bought from China in 2024
- $127.0B
- India sold to China in 2024
- $14.9B
India → China
Exporting from India to China
India and China have no bilateral free trade agreement, but both are members of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). Some goods get lower APTA duty in China with an APTA certificate of origin. Everything else pays China's normal (MFN) rate.
6 steps for Indian exporters
- 1
Get ready in India
Hold an IEC from DGFT and an RCMC from your export promotion council or APEDA. Check the ITC(HS) export policy for your product, and file the shipping bill on ICEGATE.
- 2
Check China market access and certification
Confirm your product may enter China from India and whether it needs CCC certification or NMPA registration before you sign a contract.
- 3
Register your food factory with GACC
Factories making food for China must be registered with GACC under Decree 280 (in force since 1 June 2026). Some higher-risk foods need a recommendation from the Indian competent authority first.
- 4
Chinese labels and compliant packaging
Goods sold in China need Chinese-language labels, and prepackaged food must be labelled before clearance. Wooden pallets and crates must carry the ISPM 15 mark.
- 5
Prepare the documents
Invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, contract and certificate of origin (APTA certificate to claim the preference), plus phytosanitary (NPPO) or health certificates (EIC) where needed. Indian public documents for Chinese filings are apostilled.
- 6
Customs clearance in China
The Chinese importer or broker declares the goods through the China International Trade Single Window. China charges import duty (MFN or APTA rate) plus import VAT, and inspects food, plant and animal products on arrival.
China's import rules
Registered importer
The Chinese buyer must be registered with customs as a consignee, usually online through the Single Window. Food importers also file a record with GACC.
CCC certification
Products in China's CCC catalogue, such as many electrical goods, lighting, cables, toys and some auto parts, need certification and the CCC mark before import.
NMPA for drugs, devices and cosmetics
Medicines, medical devices and cosmetics need NMPA registration or filing through a China-based agent or responsible person.
Market access for plant and animal products
Food and farm products of plant or animal origin enter only if GACC has approved that product from India. Factory registration alone is not enough.
Chinese labelling
Chinese labels are mandatory. Food labels follow GB 7718; new food labelling and allergen rules apply from 16 March 2027.
Duties and VAT
Import duty at the MFN, provisional or APTA rate, plus import VAT (generally 13%, or 9% for some goods). Consumption tax applies to some goods such as cosmetics and jewellery.
Not allowed into China
- Solid waste of all kinds, including scrap that does not meet Chinese recycled-material standards
- Plant and animal products from India without GACC market access
- Arms, ammunition and explosives without state authorisation; counterfeit currency; narcotics and poisons
- Printed or audio-visual material considered harmful to China
What China buys from India
- 1.Steel, Metals & Fasteners$3.5B
24% of total
- 2.Chemicals & Dyes$1.7B
12% of total
- 3.Oil, Gas & Petroleum Products$1.2B
8.2% of total
- 4.Engineering Goods & Machinery$1.1B
7.5% of total
- 5.Seafood & Frozen Shrimp$1.1B
7.5% of total
- 6.Agricultural Commodities$1.0B
6.8% of total
- 7.Marble, Granite & Natural Stone$802.1M
5.4% of total
- 8.Electrical & Electronics$798.2M
5.4% of total
China → India
Exporting from China to India
Chinese exporters need to clear China's own export controls first, then meet India's import rules. India applies MFN duty with APTA preference on some lines, many anti-dumping duties, and special rules for countries sharing a land border with India.
China-side export rules
Export declaration and certificate of origin
Declare the export through the Single Window. A certificate of origin is issued by GACC or CCPIT; use an APTA certificate for goods that qualify for India's APTA concessions.
Dual-use export licences
Items on China's dual-use control list, including some chemicals, electronics, drones and materials, need a MOFCOM export licence and end-user certificates for every destination, India included.
Gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite
These and superhard materials need a MOFCOM export licence for every destination, including India.
Rare earths
Medium and heavy rare earths and related magnets need export licences. Some wider controls are suspended only until 10 November 2026, so re-check MOFCOM before shipping.
Steel export licences from 1 January 2026
Around 300 steel product codes now need an export licence, backed by an export contract and a manufacturer's quality certificate.
India's import rules
Importer needs an IEC
The Indian importer must hold an Importer-Exporter Code from DGFT, and the goods must be allowed under India's import policy.
BIS licence for the Chinese factory
Products under Indian Quality Control Orders can be imported only if the factory holds a BIS licence or registration. The QCO list changes, so check it for your product.
Anti-dumping duties – check DGTR
Many Chinese-origin products carry Indian anti-dumping or safeguard duties, often specific to the producer. Check DGTR and CBIC before quoting a price.
APTA preference and CAROTAR
APTA duty rates need a valid APTA certificate of origin. Under CAROTAR 2020 the importer must be able to prove origin, or customs can deny the preference.
Legal Metrology labelling
Retail packs must show the country of origin, MRP and other Legal Metrology details.
CDSCO and FSSAI
Drugs and APIs need CDSCO registration and an import licence. Food needs FSSAI import clearance.
CCTV security testing
Since 9 April 2025, CCTV cameras (other than analogue) need BIS registration with security testing, including disclosure of chip and firmware origin.
Telecom: trusted sources only
Indian telecom operators may connect only trusted products from trusted sources, which limits Chinese network equipment.
Public procurement registration
Bidders from countries sharing a land border with India, including China, must register with the DPIIT Registration Committee before bidding in Indian public tenders.
Investment: Press Note 3
Investment from China needs Government approval. Since March 2026, non-controlling Chinese beneficial ownership of up to 10% can use the automatic route, subject to sector caps and reporting.
What India buys from China
- 1.Electrical & Electronics$47.7B
38% of total
- 2.Engineering Goods & Machinery$27.7B
22% of total
- 3.Chemicals & Dyes$16.3B
13% of total
- 4.Steel, Metals & Fasteners$7.9B
6.2% of total
- 5.Plastics & Polymer Products$6.3B
5% of total
- 6.Gems & Jewellery$2.9B
2.3% of total
- 7.Medical Devices & Hospital Supplies$2.9B
2.2% of total
- 8.Cars, Vehicles & Auto Spare Parts$2.5B
2% of total
Freight forwarders for India ⇄ China
Get freight quotes from listed forwarders who serve India and China, or list your forwarding company and receive shipment enquiries.
Product-by-product rules in the Compliance Panel
This page is a summary. The Compliance Panel gives you the exact requirements for each product category in China and other countries, with official sources.
Summary for guidance, checked 28 October 2026. Rules change often — we confirm the exact requirements for your product before you ship.
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