How to Export to China from India: Complete 2026 Guide
GACC Decree 248/249, CIFER registration, China Customs Tariff, and RCEP implications the verified operational guide for Indian exporters to China.
1. Executive Overview & India-China Bilateral Trade Statistics
Direct Answer: Exporting from India to China in 2026 presents rapid expansion in raw materials, petrochemicals, intermediate goods, and seafood. Bilateral trade reached $91.72 Billion USD in H1 2026, with Indian exports growing +37.2% YoY to $12.31 Billion. Top export commodities include Refined Petroleum/Naphtha ($3.20B), Organic Chemicals ($2.10B), Iron Ore ($1.80B), Electronics/PCBAs ($1.45B), and Cotton Yarn ($890M). Mandatory compliance is governed by GACC Decrees 248/249 (CIFER portal registration), CCC mark for industrial goods, and APTA preferential tariffs.
China represents one of India’s largest trading partners in East Asia. Despite broader trade balance dynamics, Indian merchandise exports to China have experienced accelerated growth. Official trade data released by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (TradeStat / NIRYAT) show bilateral trade reaching US$ 91.72 Billion in H1 2026, with Indian exports expanding by +37.2% YoY to US$ 12.31 Billion.
Top Export Commodities from India to China (HS Chapter Breakdown)
Bilateral export data highlights strong Chinese demand for Indian petrochemical feedstocks, organic chemicals, industrial ores, and specialized agricultural products:
| HS Chapter | Commodity Sector | Annual / Period Value | Key Products & Sub-categories | Chinese Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HS Chapter 27 | Refined Petroleum & Naphtha | $3.20 Billion | Light distillates, naphtha, petrochemical feedstocks | GACC Customs |
HS Chapter 29 | Organic Chemicals | $2.10 Billion | Benzene, paraxylene, cyclic hydrocarbons, chemical intermediates | GACC / SAMR |
HS Chapter 26 | Ores, Slag & Ash | $1.80 Billion | Iron ore fines and pellets, bauxite, granite blocks | CCIC Pre-Shipment Inspection |
HS Chapter 85 | Electricals & Electronics | $1.45 Billion | Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs), telecom parts, motor parts | CCC Certification (CQC) |
HS Chapter 52 | Cotton & Cotton Yarn | $890 Million | Raw cotton, combed cotton yarn for Chinese textile processing mills | GACC Quarantine |
HS Chapter 03 | Marine Products & Seafood | $720 Million | Frozen ribbon fish, croaker, Vannamei shrimp | GACC Decrees 248/249 (CIFER) |
HS Ch. 09 & 12 | Spices, Oil Seeds & Agri Produce | $650 Million | Chillies, cumin seeds, castor oil, sesame seeds | GACC CIFER / APEDA |
Maritime Shipping Logistics Corridors to China
- Ocean Container Routes (Nhava Sheva / Mundra / Chennai to Shanghai / Ningbo / Qingdao): Direct ocean shipping transit time of 12 to 16 days.
- Bulk Cargo Routes (Paradip / Dhamra / Vizag to Tianjin / Tangshan): Iron ore and mineral bulk carriers transit in 14 to 18 days.
2. Mandatory Indian Compliance & Pre-Export Setup
Standard Indian customs and foreign trade clearance setup is required before booking space for Chinese destinations:
1. Import Export Code (IEC)
10-digit PAN-based registration issued by DGFT. Annual online re-validation mandatory on dgft.gov.in.
2. RCMC Certificate
RCMC from relevant Export Promotion Council (APEDA for agri, MPEDA for seafood, Spices Board for spices, CHEMEXCIL for chemicals).
3. GST Letter of Undertaking (LUT)
Annual Form GST RFD-11 filing on gst.gov.in allowing zero-rated exports without upfront 18% IGST payment.
4. AD Code ICEGATE Registration
Bank AD Code registered on ICEGATE to enable automated e-BRC / IRM generation upon foreign remittance receipt.
3. Tariff Structure & APTA Preferential Trade Agreement
Direct Answer: Exports to China are governed by WTO Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) duties alongside preferential tariff concessions under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). APTA grants duty discounts of 10% to 30% off standard MFN rates for designated agricultural, chemical, and pharmaceutical tariff lines upon presenting an APTA Certificate of Origin issued via DGFT (coo.dgft.gov.in). China levies a standard 13% domestic VAT (9% on agricultural goods).
APTA Concessional Tariff Structure
Under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), China extends preferential tariff margin concessions on selected HS codes originating in India:
- Margin of Preference (MoP): APTA provides a 10% to 30% reduction off standard Chinese MFN customs duties for eligible organic chemicals, spices, and agricultural goods.
- APTA Certificate of Origin: Exporters must apply online via the DGFT e-CoO portal (
coo.dgft.gov.in) to issue an official APTA Preferential Certificate of Origin.
China Domestic Taxes (VAT & Consumption Tax)
- Value-Added Tax (VAT): China levies a standard 13% import VAT on manufactured goods, and a reduced 9% VAT on raw agricultural produce, grains, and utility products.
- Consumption Tax: Levied on specialized high-energy goods, petroleum products, and luxury items.
4. GACC Decrees 248/249 & China Non-Tariff Barriers
China enforces rigid digital compliance protocols. The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) monitors all food, agricultural, seafood, and industrial imports.
1. GACC Decrees 248 & 249 (CIFER Portal Registration)
All foreign facilities manufacturing, processing, or storing food, beverages, spices, or agricultural produce exported to China must register on GACC’s official CIFER Portal (cifer.singlewindow.cn):
- Pathway 1: Competent Authority Recommendation (High-Risk Foods – 18 Categories): High-risk commodities (seafood, meat, dairy, edible oils, dried fruits, unroasted coffee/cocoa) cannot register directly. Documentation must be submitted to Indian competent authorities (APEDA, MPEDA, EIC, or Spices Board), who perform plant audits and submit formal recommendations to GACC.
- Pathway 2: Direct Exporter Self-Registration (Low-Risk Processed Foods): Exporters of low-risk items (processed seasonings, tea, confectionery) apply directly on the CIFER portal.
Mandatory Packaging Rule: GACC Registration Number Printing
Under Decree 248 Article 15, the assigned GACC Registration Number (format CIND...) MUST be clearly printed or permanently affixed on both the inner package and outer shipping carton of every food consignment. Shipments lacking GACC registration numbers on packaging are rejected at Chinese customs ports immediately.
2. CCC Certification (China Compulsory Certificate)
Industrial machinery, electrical components, cables, and automotive parts (~17 product categories) require CCC certification issued by GACC-accredited bodies (e.g. CQC – China Quality Certification Centre), involving Chinese lab testing and factory audits.
3. CCIC Pre-Shipment Inspection
Bulk mineral exports (iron ore, bauxite, granite) and metal scrap require pre-shipment quality and moisture verification certificates issued by China Certification & Inspection Group (CCIC).
5. Indian Export Incentives & Financial Claims (FTP 2023-28)
Direct Answer: Indian exporters shipping to China can claim RoDTEP tax rebate scrips (0.5% to 4.3% of FOB value under Appendix 4R), Duty Drawback (DBK) refunds (1.5% to 8.0%), Advance Authorization for raw material duty exemption, and 100% upfront IGST exemption via GST LUT.
| Incentive Scheme | Administering Body | Benefit Quantum for China Exports | Claim Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoDTEP Scheme | DGFT / CBIC Customs | 0.5% to 4.3% of FOB Value (Chemicals ~0.8-1.5%, Textiles ~2.5%, Steel ~0.5-1.0%) | Declared on ICEGATE Shipping Bill; duty credit scrips issued electronically on DGFT portal. |
| Duty Drawback (DBK) | CBIC Customs (Sec 75) | 1.5% to 8.0% of FOB Value (All Industry Rates schedule) | Automated bank deposit via ICEGATE RMS. |
| Advance Authorization | DGFT Portal | 100% Exemption from BCD & IGST on imported raw inputs | Applied online on DGFT portal with 15% minimum value addition obligation. |
| GST LUT Facility | GSTN Portal | 100% Tax Exemption (Zero-rated export supply without upfront IGST) | Annual Form GST RFD-11 filing on gst.gov.in. |
6. Step-by-Step Export Execution Checklist
Follow this 6-step operational sequence for executing export consignments to Chinese ports:
- Step 1: Entity Setup & AD Code Linkage: Verify active IEC, valid RCMC, LUT approval, and ICEGATE AD Code linkage at export ports.
- Step 2: GACC CIFER Portal Registration: Complete GACC facility registration via APEDA/MPEDA/Spices Board (for high-risk foods) or direct CIFER portal application (for low-risk items). Ensure assigned GACC number (
CIND...) is printed on inner and outer packaging. - Step 3: Commercial Document Generation: Issue Commercial Invoice, Packing List, APTA Certificate of Origin (via DGFT e-CoO portal), and CCIC inspection certificates (for ores).
- Step 4: ICEGATE Customs Filing: File Electronic Shipping Bill on ICEGATE under RoDTEP/DBK claim and complete container stuffing at JNPT, Mundra, or Chennai.
- Step 5: Bill of Lading & e-Sanchit Upload: Receive Master Bill of Lading (MBL) and upload digital documents to e-Sanchit.
- Step 6: e-BRC Realization & Incentive Redemption: Monitor foreign exchange remittance via bank, confirm e-BRC generation on EDPMS, and redeem RoDTEP duty scrips.
7. Rasp International Expert Insights & Case Scenarios
“GACC Decree 248 enforcement is absolute. The single most common failure we see is printing the GACC registration number on the master bill of lading but failing to print it directly on the inner product packaging. Chinese customs inspectors reject un-labeled packaging on arrival.”
Real-World Export Scenario A: Spices Facility CIFER Registration
Challenge: A Gujarat chilli and spice processor faced GACC portal registration rejection because they attempted direct self-registration rather than routing through the Spices Board of India under Pathway 1.
Rasp International Solution: Rasp International managed the Spices Board plant inspection, submitted verified facility audit reports to GACC, secured the official `CIND…` registration number, and implemented compliant dual packaging labeling.
Real-World Export Scenario B: Iron Ore Export to Qingdao
Challenge: An Odisha mineral exporter faced a quality query at Port of Qingdao regarding moisture content verification on a 50,000 MT iron ore consignment.
Rasp International Solution: Our team verified pre-shipment CCIC inspection sampling certificates, re-aligned the shipping bill declaration on ICEGATE, and secured immediate customs clearance.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Exporting to China
What is the minimum documentation required to export from India to China?
Mandatory documentation includes an Importer Exporter Code (IEC), Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, ICEGATE Shipping Bill, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, GST LUT acknowledgement, and a GACC CIFER registration number for food and agricultural products.
What is GACC Decree 248/249 compliance for food exporters?
GACC Decrees 248 and 249 require all foreign food manufacturing, processing, and storage facilities exporting to China to register on the digital CIFER portal (cifer.singlewindow.cn). Assigned GACC registration numbers (CIND…) must be printed on both inner packaging and outer cartons.
How do Indian exporters claim APTA preferential tariff rates in China?
Exporters claim APTA preferential duties by applying for an APTA Certificate of Origin on the DGFT e-CoO portal (coo.dgft.gov.in). APTA provides 10% to 30% duty margin discounts off standard Chinese MFN customs tariffs for designated HS codes.
How can Indian exporters claim RoDTEP benefits on exports to China?
RoDTEP benefits are claimed by declaring intention on the Electronic Shipping Bill filed on ICEGATE. Upon inward remittance receipt and bank issuance of e-BRC, DGFT credits electronic duty scrips into the exporter’s portal ledger.
What are ocean freight transit times from Indian ports to Chinese ports?
Direct ocean container transit from Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, or Chennai to major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao) averages 12 to 16 days.
Rasp International Can Help
Whether you are preparing for your first shipment or scaling an existing export channel, our team provides end-to-end EXIM compliance and growth support.
📄 Sources & Official References
All data, tariff rates, and regulatory requirements cited in this guide are sourced from official government and intergovernmental bodies. Last reviewed: August 2026.
| [1] | GACC Decree 248 Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food GACC mandatory facility registration for all food product exporters to China |
| [2] | GACC Decree 249 Import and Export Food Safety Regulations (CIFER) China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system requirements |
| [3] | China Customs Tariff Database (MOFCOM) Official China MFN and preferential tariff rates by HS code |
| [4] | China SAMR Registration of Imported Cosmetics NMPA/SAMR registration requirements for cosmetics and personal care exports |
| [5] | DGFT India-China Trade Statistics Commodity-level bilateral trade data (India exports to China) |
| [6] | CBIC GST LUT (Form RFD-11) Zero-rated export supply LUT filing under CGST Act 2017 |
| [7] | DGFT RCMC Registration Export Promotion Council membership for RoDTEP and scheme eligibility |
| [8] | ICEGATE AD Code & Shipping Bill AD Code linkage to Chinese port customs IDs and e-Shipping Bill generation |
| [9] | DGFT RoDTEP Appendix 4R Notified RoDTEP rates applicable to China-bound exports |
| [10] | UN Comtrade India-China Data UN official bilateral trade statistics for HS-code level analysis |
This guide is published by Rasp International | EXIM Compliance & Export Growth Advisory | All Country Guides | Book a Consultation