Businesses in India
Companies that need goods, materials or products from overseas.
Import
Bring goods into India
For businesses in India that want to source goods from overseas suppliers.
Part of our Import & Export Trading service. We also handle product sourcing and manufacturer connections.
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Import enquiries
Tell us what you need to bring in
Eximbuddy handles import trade enquiries. Share your requirement and we will review it and discuss how to proceed.
Buyers with a supplier in mind
You already know who you want to buy from overseas.
Buyers still looking
You know what you need but have not yet found a source.
Before you write
What to include in your import enquiry
These details help us give you a useful first reply. If you do not know some of them yet, send what you have.
- ProductName, grade or specification
- Quantity & packingHow much you need and how it should be packed
- Country of originAny preferred source country
- Delivery locationWhere in India the goods should arrive
- TimelineWhen you need the goods
- Existing supplierIf you already work with one
General guide
Documents commonly involved in importing into India
A short orientation for first-time importers. The exact paperwork depends on the product, its origin and how it is shipped.
Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
A business identification code issued online by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Businesses generally need an IEC to import goods into India, apart from a few specific exemptions.
Commercial invoice and packing list
Issued by the overseas supplier. The invoice records the goods, their value and the terms of sale; the packing list describes how the shipment is packed, with weights and dimensions.
Bill of lading or air waybill
The transport document issued by the carrier: a bill of lading for sea freight or an air waybill for air freight. It confirms the goods have been received for shipment.
Bill of Entry
The declaration filed with Indian Customs, usually electronically through the ICEGATE system, to clear imported goods. Import duties are assessed on the basis of this filing.
Certificate of origin
Shows the country where the goods were produced. It is needed, for example, to claim a reduced duty rate under a trade agreement between India and the exporting country.
Product-specific approvals
Some goods need additional permissions — for example, food imports are subject to FSSAI clearance, certain products require BIS certification, and restricted items need an import licence.
General information only. It does not describe services Eximbuddy provides and is not legal or customs advice. Requirements change and depend on your product; check current rules with DGFT and CBIC or a licensed customs broker.
Next step
Send your import enquiry
- Send your requirement using the enquiry form.
- We review it and may ask a few questions.
- We reply with the next steps for your requirement.