May 26, 2025Freight10 min readBy Admin
Sea Freight from China to India: A Complete Shipping Guide
What if you could contribute to India’s economy with sea freight from China to India? When you bring goods from China to India, sea shipping is often the best way to go. It costs less and is very good for large cargo. With more trade between these two places, knowing how sea shipping works is key if you want your business to grow and run better.
This full guide talks about all you need for sea freight from China to India—from picking the right way to ship to knowing about costs, times, needed papers, and more.
Keep in mind: LCL shipments might take longer due to additional handling time.
India-China Trade Relations
India and China are big trade partners in Asia. China gives India a lot of goods like gadgets, machines, chemicals, and raw materials. Even with tensions, trade keeps going up because both need each other economically. In October 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the 16th BRICS Summit between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to settle geopolitical problems between the two countries. It was done in order to save their trade relations. India has always been a huge importer of Chinese goods, and lately, India has become an important export country for China.Why Choose Sea Freight?
Ocean freight logistics is great for large shipments or packages that don’t have to be delivered in a rush. While plane shipping is quick, it costs a lot more. Here are the main good things about sea shipping:- Low Cost per Item: This is good for big or heavy cargo.
- More Space: Ships can take lots and lots of goods compared to planes.
- Good for Earth: Sea moves make less bad air per ton of goods.
- Many Choices: You can pick either a full container load (FCL) or less than a full container load (LCL).
Key Routes for China to India shipping
Many big sea paths link big ports in China to India. The ones used a lot are:Big Chinese Ports
- Shanghai
- Shenzhen
- Guangzhou
- Ningbo
- Qingdao
- Xiamen
Big Indian Ports
- Nhava Sheva (JNPT) – Mumbai
- Chennai
- Mundra
- Kolkata
- Cochin
Shipping Methods: FCL vs. LCL
Full Container Load (FCL)
- Best for: Cargo that fill a whole container.
- Good things: Lower cost for each thing, safer as less moving, quicker times.
- Container Sizes: 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft high cube.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
- Best for: Small cargo that do not need a whole container.
- Good things: Saves money for small firms.
- Bad things: Takes longer due to putting together and taking apart, and more moving.
Ocean Freight Forwarder Services: Your Best Friend in Sea Shipping
A shipping agent from China to India works as a middleman for you and the shipping routes. Their work often includes:- Booking space for goods
- Handling papers
- Working with customs
- Land moves
- Cargo insurance
Why You Should Pick Gxpress Ocean Freight Services?
a. Door to Door
A full shipping fix where the cargo handler takes care of moving goods from the seller's place in China to the buyer in India. It includes all parts - from getting it out of China, moving it by sea, getting it into India, and taking it inland.b. Port to Port
This is about moving goods from the start port in China to the end port in India. The person sending and the one getting manage their local moves and customs.c. Sea Consolidation
Good for small goods, this mixes many smaller cargo into one big container. It lets sellers split the space and cost when sending things from China to India.d. Reduced Costs
Gxpress provides the most competitive ocean freight rates in the market. You will be able to ship a lot of cargo at affordable prices.e. Cargo Tracking
The ocean freight container tracking feature is available. You can see where your goods are headed and the estimated time for delivery.Documents Required for Sea Freight from China to India
The right papers are a must for smooth customs on both ends. Often needed ones are:- Bill of Lading (B/L) – A deal paper between the sender and the shipping firm.
- Commercial Invoice – Lists goods and their stated worth.
- Packing List – Talks about what's in the cargo, how much, and packing.
- Import License (if needed)
- Certificate of Origin
- Letter of Credit (L/C) or other payment methods.
- Insurance Certificate – If goods are covered.
Estimated Transit Time
Transit time depends on several factors: port pair, shipping line, transshipments, and weather. Here’s a rough estimate:| Route | Transit Time |
| Shanghai to Mumbai | 18–25 days |
| Ningbo to Chennai | 20–28 days |
| Shenzhen to Kolkata | 15–22 days |
| Guangzhou to Mundra | 16–24 days |
Import Charges from China to India: Custom Duties and Taxes in India
Bringing goods into India means customs checks and paying duties, taxes, and GST on ocean freight on import. Key parts include:- Basic Customs Duty (BCD)
- Integrated GST (IGST)
- Social Welfare Surcharge
- Anti-dumping Duty (if needed)
Cost Components in Sea Freight
When planning costs for China sea ocean freight, think about all parts, not just sea charge costs.Cost Breakdown
- Freight Charges (FCL/LCL)
- Port Handling Charges
- Container Pickup and Drop (Drayage)
- Paper Fees
- Customs Clearance Charges
- Land Transport (Trucking)
- Duties and service tax on ocean freight
Freight Charges from China to India by Sea
Price to ship changes by how much you send, what container you use, which way it goes, and the market. Now, ocean freight rates from China to India are charged for each cubic meter for small containers.Sea China to India Shipping Cost
What you pay extra for includes:- Basic Customs Fee
- Added GST
- Social Care Extra Charge
- Extra fee if selling at a lower cost (if needed)
- Customs and getting it through the fees
Tips to Save Money and Time
- Plan Early: Sea needs time—skip last-minute moves.
- Group cargo (Consolidation): For small cargo, LCL is less when well put together.
- Skip Busy Times: Chinese New Year and Diwali are busy with high costs and delays.
- Pick a Good Ship Helper: They can handle papers, customs, and moving well.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Delays from Full Ports
Fix: Try other ports or book early in busy times.2. Wrong Papers
Fix: Double-check papers or get pros to handle the rules.3. Hurt Goods
Fix: Pack well and think about sea cargo insurance.4. Customs Problems
Fix: Make sure HSN codes are right and duties are paid when needed.Conclusion
Sea freight from China to India is big in world trade. While it may look hard at first, a planned way, with the right helpers, makes it easy and saves money. Whether you're new or used to trading, knowing the moves, costs, and papers involved can put you ahead. If you're set to ship or need tips, don’t think twice to talk to good ship helpers. A strong sea strategy can make your supply moves better and lift your money.Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the cheapest way to import from China to India?
Sending by sea, mainly using LCL (Less than Container Load), is the least costly way to move big or heavy items from China to India.Q2. What is the sea freight from China to India?
Sea freight means moving goods by ship from big Chinese ports (like Shanghai, Shenzhen) to ports in India (like Nhava Sheva, Chennai), using either FCL or LCL methods.Q3. Why is sea freight cheaper?
Freight charges from China to India by sea cost less because ships can take a lot of goods at one time, making the cost per unit lower than by air or road transport.Q4. What is the cost of shipping from China to India?
Costs can change based on container size, type of goods, ports used, and market rates, but costs are often calculated per cubic meter for LCL.Q5. Why is sea freight increasing from China to India?
Sea freight costs are going up due to a lack of containers globally, more demand, ports being too busy, and high fuel prices.Q6. Which port is used from China to India?
Important ports in China are Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, and Guangzhou. In India, ports like Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), Chennai, Mundra, and Kolkata are often picked.Share this article:
