Last updated: 14 Mar 2013
Tariffs and regulations
Tariffs and duty rates are constantly revised and are subject to change without notice.
Austrade strongly recommends you reconfirm these prior to selling to India.
For further information please visit the Indian Central Board of Excise and Customs.
Tariffs and non-tariff barriers
Tariff
Import Tariff and Exemption Notifications are available at www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cst2012-13/cst1213-idx.htm.
Please use the Customs Duty Calculator available at www.icegate.gov.in/Webappl to determine import duties.
India’s foreign trade policy, information on import tariffs, customs regulations and notifications are available below through the following links:
Product certification, labelling and packaging
Labelling
Outer containers should bear consignee's mark and port mark and also should be numbered (to accord with packing list) unless their contents can be otherwise readily identified. Gross weight must be shown on two faces.
Packaging
Packing should be strong and should guard against extreme heat and humidity in summer, and possible storage in the open and pilferage. Steel strapping is recommended.
Special certificates
Livestock imports must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate issued by an approved authority in the country of origin.
Must be certified by an approved organisation.
Plants, plant products and leaf tobacco require phytosanitary certificates issued by an approved authority in the country of origin and certified by an approved organisation.
Additionally, leaf tobacco must be accompanied by a special certificate stating that the tobacco is free from ephestia elutella or that the pest does not exist in the country of origin. Any shipment of tobacco leaf arriving without the above certificate will be examined by an Indian Government inspector and a fee charged.
Used clothing requires a certificate of fumigation issued by an approved authority in the country of origin.
Port wine requires a certificate indicating alcoholic content and spirits may need a certificate of maturity.
Methods of quoting and payment
Quotations are usually required to indicate FOB or CIF prices, with freight and insurance charges separately shown. They should be expressed in US dollars or Indian rupees. Quotes to government purchasing agencies should be both FOB and CIF.
Payment is normally by irrevocable letter of credit. For government contracts, terms of 90 days or more are usually requested.
Documentary requirements
Commercial invoice
No prescribed form listed. A minimum of four copies is required, and must be signed by the supplier in exporting country. The invoice must show details such as:
- Country of origin
- Consignee's name
- The number and date of letter of credit and import licence number
- Terms of payment
- Name of carrier
- Number
- Description and identifying marks of outer containers
Detailed description of the goods including quantity, weight (gross and net), value, shipping charges and insurance.
Insurance
Normal commercial practice.
Bill of lading
Minimum of two copies normally required. To Order bills are also acceptable.
Freight charges must be stated separately.
Quantities must be indicated in metric terms.
Import reference number and letter of credit number are to be shown.
Must indicate the name and address of the applicant and the issuing bank.
Packing list
Not compulsory, but facilitates clearance.
Certificate of origin
Issued by local Chamber of Commerce (three copies normally required).
Public health requirements
Live animals, plants, and parts of plants must be accompanied by health certificates issued by an approved authority in the country of origin. In Australia this is usually the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry-Australia or the relevant state department of agriculture, and must be certified by an approved authority.
Plants may be imported only through ports where fumigation and inspection facilities are available.
Fruit, vegetables and all foodstuffs are subject to inspection on arrival.
Food quality and purity are subject to strict national and state regulations. The requirements also extend over the use of preservatives, colouring matter, artificial sweeteners, containers and their marking and labelling.
Drugs are subject to stringent controls covering import, manufacture, distribution and sale. Imported drugs require prior sampling and testing. Legal standards used for drugs are the British Pharmacopoeia and the US National Formulary.