Country profile
India
IN · INDAs of: 7/18/2026Growth market / production, pharma and IT hub of South Asia
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.
Overview
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).
Mentioned countries
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)Import system
Electronic clearance via ICEGATE/ICES with Single Window SWIFT; import by Bill of Entry, risk-based inspection (RMS).
Export system
Electronic export via ICEGATE/ICES; Shipping Bill as export declaration, Single Window SWIFT, RoDTEP refund.
Import VAT
- IGST on imports since 22.9.2025 mostly 5 or 18 percent (luxury/sin 40 percent), calculated on customs value plus duty
- plus basic customs duty (BCD) plus 10 percent Social Welfare Surcharge.
Import documents
- Bill of Entry
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Certificate of origin
- IEC number
Export documents
- Shipping Bill
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Certificate of origin (FTA)
- IEC number
- LUT / GST proof
Origin proofs / FTA
Preference proofs per agreement: EUR.1/Declaration of origin (EFTA-TEPA since 1.10.2025), CoO form for UAE-CEPA, Australia-ECTA, ASEAN, Japan and Korea CEPA; partly self-certification.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Import restrictions including certain animal/plant products, gold/currency rules, used goods and used machinery, hazardous waste; licence requirements under DGFT ITC(HS) policy.
Export controls & sanctions
Export control via DGFT SCOMET list (dual-use), based on NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar and Australia Group; new category 7 (Emerging Tech) since 23.9.2025.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (India) — General process
Quick operational overview for shipments to India. Depending on goods, additional permits/standards may apply; add buffer time and keep documents and values consistent.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on goods: additional permits/certificates
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (clean data, HS code, values)
- Import clearance often via broker/agent; possible inspections
- Release, duties/taxes, and delivery
Common pitfalls
- Missing certificates/product requirements → delays
- Misaligned HS code/classification → cost risk
- Inconsistent values/documents → queries
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Delhi (DEL)
- Mumbai (BOM)
- Bengaluru (BLR)
- Chennai (MAA)
- Hyderabad (HYD)
- Kolkata (CCU)
Seaports / access ports
- Mundra (Adani, largest port by throughput)
- Nhava Sheva / JNPA (largest container port)
- Chennai
- Visakhapatnam
- Deendayal / Kandla
- Paradip
- Kolkata / Haldia
- Cochin
- Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar)
Inland ports & terminals
- ICD Tughlakabad (Delhi)
- ICD Dadri / Greater Noida
- ICD Whitefield (Bengaluru)
- ICD Ludhiana
Road corridors & border crossings
- Golden Quadrilateral
- North-South and East-West Corridor
- Delhi - Mumbai Expressway
Rail corridors
- Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC)
- Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor
- Delhi - Mumbai
- Delhi - Kolkata (Howrah)
Top trade lanes
- India - USA
- India - UAE
- India - China
- India - EU
- India - ASEAN
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
High documentation effort and bureaucracy, regional infrastructure differences, port and road congestion in urban areas; border tensions with Pakistan and China.
Seasonal & weather risks
Southwest monsoon June to September (flooding, road closures), cyclone season on east and west coasts, heatwaves in early summer.
Current logistics notes
GST reform (GST 2.0) since 22.9.2025 with two main rates (5/18 percent) plus 40 percent special rate remains in force; EFTA-TEPA in force since 1.10.2025 (also for Switzerland); strong expansion of ports and freight corridors (DFC). No nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-07-18).
As of: 2026-07-18
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2026 | Republic Day | National | |||
| Aug 15, 2026 | Independence Day | National | |||
| Oct 2, 2026 | Gandhi Jayanti | National | |||
| Nov 8, 2026 | Diwali (Deepavali) | National | India's most important festival; a multi-day slowdown of production, transport and customs around the date. The exact date shifts yearly with the lunar calendar. |
Republic Day
Jan 26, 2026
Independence Day
Aug 15, 2026
Gandhi Jayanti
Oct 2, 2026
Diwali (Deepavali)
Nov 8, 2026
India's most important festival; a multi-day slowdown of production, transport and customs around the date. The exact date shifts yearly with the lunar calendar.
Sources: Gazetted Holidays India / timeanddate · Gazetted Holidays India / timeanddate
Tolls & charges
National Highway Tolls (FASTag)
TollOperator: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
car, truck, articulated, bus
Tolls on national highways at toll plazas, levied by the NHAI. Payment is exclusively electronic via the RFID-based FASTag system (mandatory for all vehicles). Rates depend on vehicle class and highway section.
Airports in this country
Seaports in this country
Popular Transit Time Routes
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- cbic.gov.in
- icegate.gov.in
- dgft.gov.in
- pib.gov.in
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for India?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for India?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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