Express courier from China to India
China to India is the lane Indian importers use when the order is too small or too urgent for sea freight: a first sample from a new supplier, a replacement part for a stopped machine, or a trial batch before committing to a container. Indian Customs treats these parcels as imports in their own right, so the invoice from the Chinese supplier and the importer's KYC decide how quickly the shipment clears.
Customs and document notes on this page were last reviewed on . Rules change; we confirm the current position when you book.
Who uses the lane from China to India?
Importers and manufacturers
Samples, components, tooling and spare parts from Chinese factories to plants and workshops across India.
Product businesses
Trial quantities from suppliers found on Chinese marketplaces, before a bulk order.
Individuals
Personal purchases and gifts from China, cleared on the receiver's KYC.
From your address in China to your door in India: the steps
- Quote and booking
- Pickup from the supplier
- Export clearance in China
- Express flight
- Indian customs and KYC
- Delivered to your door
Every shipment gets an ExpressBox tracking number at booking. The milestones above are the standard sequence for this lane; the status of a specific shipment comes from the tracking page.
Clearing your parcel into India: KYC, duty and documents
Entry into India
Cleared by Indian Customs under the courier regulations. The receiver's KYC (Aadhaar or PAN for individuals, IEC and GSTIN for businesses) is mandatory before release. Commercial consignments above the courier value limits move to a formal bill of entry, which we arrange.
Duty and taxes
Basic customs duty by HS code, plus IGST and applicable cess, on the assessable value. Goods of Chinese origin can carry additional duties on specific product categories; we flag these when we see the invoice and include the estimate in the quote.
Documents we need
The supplier's commercial invoice and packing list with HS codes, the Indian receiver's address, phone number and KYC, and for businesses the IEC and GSTIN.
How is forwarding from China to India priced?
| What | How it is worked out |
|---|---|
| Chargeable weight | The greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight (length × width × height in centimetres ÷ 5000). A light but bulky box is charged on volume. |
| Lane rate | Quoted per shipment for China to India, based on chargeable weight and the delivery area. Published slabs are not available yet; the quote is the price. |
| Duties and taxes | Assessed by Indian Customs (CBIC) on the declared value. Estimated in the quote and billed to the sender or the receiver, as you choose at booking. |
| Included | Pickup, export documentation, express air freight, import clearance handling and delivery with tracking. |
Items that cannot enter India by express air
Products that need a BIS certificate (many electronics and appliances), toys without the required certification, drones, and loose lithium batteries are the usual problems on this lane. Counterfeit branded goods are seized, not returned. The full list, including items that need approval first, is on the prohibited and restricted items page; where one country is stricter than the other, the stricter rule applies to this lane.
China to India: your questions answered
Can you collect from my supplier in China?
Yes. Give us the supplier's address and contact; pickup is arranged in mainland China after the booking is confirmed.
What is the difference between courier clearance and a formal bill of entry?
Low-value and sample shipments clear under the simplified courier route. Higher-value commercial consignments need a formal bill of entry with the importer's IEC; we arrange that when the invoice value requires it.
Do I pay duty on samples?
Usually yes, on the declared value, unless the goods qualify for a specific exemption. Free samples still need a value for customs purposes.
How long does clearance take in India?
That depends on the completeness of the invoice and KYC and on customs examination. We cannot promise a fixed time; we can tell you the common causes of delay and remove them before the shipment flies.
Which Indian cities do you deliver to?
Pin codes across India through our last-mile network, with proof of delivery.
How is the shipment priced?
By chargeable weight on the China to India lane: the greater of actual and volumetric weight (L × W × H in cm ÷ 5000), with duty and IGST estimated separately.