Top Export Categories from India
Required Import Documents
Commercial Invoice
Must include IEC (Importer Exporter Code) of Indian exporter, goods description, HS codes, quantity and value. Notarise or legalise if required by your customs authority.
Packing List
Standard requirement for UK and EU customs clearance.
Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
Required for sea/air shipments. India's major export ports: JNPT (Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai, Kolkata.
Certificate of Origin
Required to claim GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences) duty reductions where applicable. Issued by Export Inspection Council or chambers of commerce in India.
Phytosanitary / Health Certificates
Required for food, spices, tea, agricultural products. Issued by India's FSSAI or APEDA depending on product category.
Compliance & Tariff Requirements
UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences (DCTS)
Under the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme, India receives Enhanced Preferences — reducing or eliminating import duty on thousands of product lines. Check HMRC commodity tool for your HS code.
EU GSP for India
India currently benefits from EU GSP (Standard preferences). Verify the specific duty rate for your commodity code using the EU TARIC database.
UKCA / CE Marking
Indian manufacturers exporting regulated products (electronics, machinery, PPE) must supply appropriate conformity documentation. CE is common for Indian factories already exporting to Europe.
BIS Certification (domestic)
BIS applies to products sold inside India — not your concern as an importer, but confirms a manufacturer's quality system maturity.
Food Safety (FSSAI)
Indian food exporters hold FSSAI licences. UK imports of food products are subject to APHA/port health inspections; pre-notify via IPAFFS.
Shipping & Lead Times
Sea freight from JNPT/Mundra (west coast) or Chennai (south/east coast) to UK: 20–28 days. To northern EU ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg): 18–25 days. Air freight from Mumbai, Delhi or Chennai: 5–8 days. Transhipment via Colombo or Singapore adds 3–5 days for sea shipments.
Sourcing on Towobo
Indian suppliers on Towobo span textiles, engineering goods, spices and food, chemicals and gems. Many are experienced exporters to the UK and EU market. Look for suppliers displaying "Verified" status and filter by country of origin to narrow your search to Indian sources.
Find India SuppliersFrequently Asked Questions
What is the IEC code and why does my Indian supplier mention it?
The IEC (Importer Exporter Code) is a 10-digit code issued by India's DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) — required for any Indian business to legally export. It appears on the commercial invoice and is a basic legitimacy check: any genuine Indian exporter will have one.
Are Indian pharmaceuticals safe to import?
India is the world's largest generic drug exporter and supplies approximately 40% of UK generic medicines. Indian pharma manufacturers hold MHRA (UK), EMA (EU), and USFDA approvals. For pharmaceutical imports, verify the specific MHRA registration for the product and manufacturer before importing.
How do I handle quality control for Indian suppliers?
Request samples before committing to bulk. For larger orders, arrange a pre-shipment inspection through a third-party QC service (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek all operate in India). Towobo's Verified supplier badge indicates the supplier has passed document verification — a useful starting filter.
What is the UK–India FTA status?
The UK–India Free Trade Agreement was under active negotiation as of mid-2026. When concluded, it is expected to reduce UK import duties on Indian goods significantly. Until then, India benefits from the UK's DCTS (Developing Countries Trading Scheme) for eligible product categories.
Can I import spices and food directly from Indian suppliers?
Yes, but food imports require additional steps: pre-notification via IPAFFS (UK) or TRACES (EU), phytosanitary certificates from APEDA or FSSAI, and potential port health inspections. Work with a licensed customs broker who handles food imports.
Sourcing Guides for Popular India Imports
Textiles & Clothing Sourcing Guide
MOQ, compliance, shipping and buyer tips
Agricultural Products Sourcing Guide
MOQ, compliance, shipping and buyer tips
Chemicals & Raw Materials Sourcing Guide
MOQ, compliance, shipping and buyer tips
Health, Beauty & Personal Care Sourcing Guide
MOQ, compliance, shipping and buyer tips
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