Precautions for Cross-border Logistics in India
India’s customs policies are complex and changeable, and the customs clearance process is cumbersome. During customs clearance, documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and certificates of origin are required, and invoices must be authenticated by Indian embassies or consulates abroad. India has strict reviews of the classification and valuation of imported goods, and the customs have the right to re-evaluate the declared values. For products such as electronics, auto parts, and textiles, additional import licenses or certifications may be required. In addition, India requires that wooden packaging must be heat-treated or fumigated and marked with the IPPC logo.
In terms of taxation, India’s tariff rates are relatively high, and there are numerous tax types, including basic duties, additional duties, education cess, Goods and Services Tax (GST), etc. The GST rate varies from 0% to 28% depending on different commodity categories. In terms of transportation, India’s main ports include Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. However, the port infrastructure is relatively weak, the operation efficiency is low, and the goods detention time at the ports is long. It is recommended to choose logistics providers with rich experience in Indian customs clearance and reserve sufficient transportation time in advance.