# India (IN) **Capital:** New Delhi **Currency:** Indian Rupee (INR) (INR) **Population:** 1,450,935,791 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 3,287,259 km² > India is a fast-growing manufacturing, pharmaceutical and IT hub in South Asia, with a long coastline and major ports such as Mundra and Nhava Sheva. Imports are cleared electronically via ICEGATE; since the GST reform of 22 September 2025 import IGST is usually 5 or 18 percent, on top of basic customs duty and a social welfare surcharge. The EFTA agreement TEPA has been in force since 1 October 2025, cutting tariffs also for Swiss exporters. India (ISO code: IN) lies in South Asia and borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, with coastlines on the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It is a federal parliamentary republic and one of the world's largest economies, strong in manufacturing, services, agriculture and information technology. The climate ranges from tropical in the south to temperate in the north and alpine in the Himalayas, shaped by pronounced monsoon seasons. Foreign trade is central: major ports such as Mundra and Nhava Sheva (JNPA), a dense rail and road network and busy cargo airports like Delhi and Mumbai underpin its transit and logistics role. Customs clearance is handled electronically through ICEGATE under the CBIC. Since the GST reform of 22 September 2025, import IGST is mostly 5 or 18 percent (40 percent on luxury and sin goods), in addition to basic customs duty and a 10 percent social welfare surcharge. India has an expanding network of trade agreements, including the EFTA TEPA in force since 1 October 2025. The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). **Top Import Partners:** CN, AE, US, SA, RU **Top Export Partners:** US, AE, NL, CN, BD **Top Import Goods:** Mineral oils, Electronic devices, Precious metals, Machinery, Chemicals **Top Export Goods:** Mineral oils, electronic components, Machinery, Jewellery, Textiles **Key Airports:** - [Chennai International Airport (MAA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chennai-international-airport-maa) - [Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chhatrapati-shivaji-international-airport-bom) - [Cochin International Airport (COK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cochin-international-airport-cok) - [Dabolim Airport (GOI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dabolim-airport-goi) - [Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/indira-gandhi-international-airport-del) - [Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kempegowda-international-airport-blr) - [Manohar International Airport (GOX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/manohar-international-airport-gox) - [Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/navi-mumbai-international-airport-nmi) - [Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-international-airport-ccu) - [Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/rajiv-gandhi-international-airport-hyd) **Key Seaports:** - [Calcutta (IN CCU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/calcutta-port-in-ccu) - [Chennai (Madras) (IN MAA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/chennai-madras-port-in-maa) - [Dahej (IN DAH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/dahej-port-in-dah) - [Dhamra (INDMQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/dhamra-port-indmq) - [Gangavaram (INGGV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/gangavaram-port-inggv) - [Kamarajar Port (INENR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/kamarajar-port-inenr) - [Kattupalli Port](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/kattupalli-port-1171) - [Krishnapatnam (INKRI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/krishnapatnam-port-inkri) - [Mumbai (Bombay) (IN BOM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mumbai-bombay-port-in-bom) - [Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Shiva) (IN NSA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/jawaharlal-nehru-port-nhava-shiva-port-in-nsa) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** IGST on imports since 22.9.2025 mostly 5 or 18 percent (luxury/sin 40 percent), calculated on customs value plus duty **Customs complexity:** High **Customs system:** Electronic clearance via ICEGATE/ICES with Single Window SWIFT; import by Bill of Entry, risk-based inspection (RMS). **Customs authority:** [Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)](https://www.cbic.gov.in) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Growth market / production, pharma and IT hub of South Asia **Economic area:** South Asia; SAFTA; WTO member **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** high **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### How high is import VAT (IGST) in India? Since the GST reform of 22 September 2025 there are two main rates of 5 and 18 percent, plus a special 40 percent rate for luxury and sin goods. Import IGST is levied on the customs value plus basic customs duty (BCD) and the social welfare surcharge, and is creditable as input tax. ### How does customs clearance work in India? Clearance is electronic via ICEGATE/ICES of the customs authority CBIC, using the SWIFT single window. Importers file a Bill of Entry, exporters a Shipping Bill; a risk management system (RMS) determines inspections. ### What benefits does the EFTA agreement TEPA bring for Swiss exporters? The agreement between India and EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) entered into force on 1 October 2025. India is removing tariffs on most industrial goods; Swiss exporters benefit from preferences with proof of origin (EUR.1 or origin declaration). ### How is export control for dual-use goods regulated? The relevant list is the DGFT's SCOMET list (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies), aligned with NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar and the Australia Group. Since 23 September 2025 there is a new Category 7 for emerging technologies; a per-shipment licence may be required. ### What are India's most important seaports? Mundra (Adani) is the largest port by throughput, Nhava Sheva / JNPA the largest container port (about 7.9 million TEU in 2025). Other key ports are Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Deendayal/Kandla, Paradip and Kolkata/Haldia. ### Which airports matter most for air cargo? Delhi (DEL) is the largest cargo airport with about 1.1 million tonnes, followed by Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA) and Hyderabad (HYD). These four to five hubs handle most air cargo. ### What seasonal risks affect logistics? The southwest monsoon from June to September can cause flooding and road closures. Both the east and west coasts face cyclone risk, and heatwaves occur in the pre-monsoon months. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.cbic.gov.in](https://www.cbic.gov.in) - [https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155151](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155151) - [https://www.cbic.gov.in/](https://www.cbic.gov.in/) - [https://www.icegate.gov.in/](https://www.icegate.gov.in/) - [https://www.dgft.gov.in/](https://www.dgft.gov.in/) - [https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2173138](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2173138) - [https://www.efta.int/media-resources/news/efta-india-trade-and-economic-partnership-agreement-enters-force-joint](https://www.efta.int/media-resources/news/efta-india-trade-and-economic-partnership-agreement-enters-force-joint) - [https://www.commerce.gov.in/international-trade/trade-agreements/](https://www.commerce.gov.in/international-trade/trade-agreements/) *Last verified: 2026-07-18* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/in](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/in)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/in](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/in)*