India offers US importers something China increasingly cannot: competitive pricing without Section 301 tariff surcharges, strong English-language business communication, established quality systems in pharmaceuticals and textiles, and a government actively incentivizing exports. Whether you are sourcing generic drugs, handcrafted goods, organic food ingredients, or textile products, India is a supplier market worth understanding.
India-US trade overview
Key trade statistics (2025):
- Total bilateral goods trade: ~USD 130 billion annually
- US imports from India: ~USD 85 billion
- US trade deficit with India: ~USD 40 billion
- India's global rank as US supplier: 9th largest
- Growth trend: US-India trade growing 8-12% annually, accelerating as companies diversify from China
Top import categories (by value)
| Category | Annual value (approx) | Key products |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | USD 12B+ | Generic drugs, APIs, biologics |
| Precious stones | USD 10B+ | Cut/polished diamonds, jewelry |
| Petroleum products | USD 8B+ | Refined fuels, petrochemicals |
| Organic chemicals | USD 5B+ | APIs, dyes, intermediates |
| Textiles & apparel | USD 8B+ | Cotton garments, home textiles, carpets |
| Machinery | USD 4B+ | Auto parts, industrial machinery |
| Agricultural products | USD 3B+ | Basmati rice, spices, shrimp, tea |
| Iron & steel articles | USD 3B+ | Stainless steel, pipes, flanges |
Shipping from India to USA
Major Indian ports
- JNPT/Nhava Sheva (Mumbai): India's largest container port, handles ~50% of container traffic. Best for West India suppliers.
- Mundra (Gujarat): Fastest-growing private port. Excellent for North/West India cargo. Less congestion than JNPT.
- Chennai: Major port for South India. Strong for auto parts, electronics.
- Kolkata/Haldia: East India gateway. Important for tea, jute, and East India manufacturing.
- Krishnapatnam/Visakhapatnam: Growing alternatives for South/East India cargo.
Ocean freight costs and transit times
| Route | 20ft container | 40ft container | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNPT → New York/Newark | USD 2,800-4,200 | USD 4,500-6,500 | 28-35 days |
| JNPT → Los Angeles | USD 2,500-3,800 | USD 4,000-6,000 | 30-40 days |
| Mundra → Houston | USD 2,600-4,000 | USD 4,200-6,200 | 30-38 days |
| Chennai → Los Angeles | USD 2,400-3,600 | USD 3,800-5,500 | 28-35 days |
| Chennai → Savannah | USD 2,800-4,200 | USD 4,500-6,500 | 25-32 days |
Note: Most India-US ocean routes involve transhipment (stopover at a hub port like Colombo, Singapore, or Jebel Ali). Direct services exist on major lanes but are less frequent.
Air freight
- Cost: USD 3-7 per kg (depending on volume and commodity)
- Transit: 3-7 days including handling
- Major airports: Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Bangalore (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Chennai (MAA)
- Best for: Urgent orders, high-value/low-weight goods, samples, pharmaceuticals
Import duties on Indian goods
India does not have a free trade agreement with the United States. Indian goods pay standard MFN (Most Favored Nation) duty rates from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Key duty considerations
- No GSP benefits: India was removed from the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program in June 2019. Products that previously entered duty-free now pay full MFN rates.
- No Section 301 tariffs: Unlike China, Indian goods are NOT subject to the Section 301 additional tariffs (25-100% surcharges). This makes India competitive for products that face high China tariffs.
- Antidumping duties: Some Indian products face antidumping or countervailing duties — notably steel products, shrimp, and certain chemicals. Check the AD/CVD database before sourcing.
Typical duty rates by product
| Product | Typical duty rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals (finished) | 0% | Most finished drugs duty-free |
| APIs (pharmaceutical ingredients) | 0-6.5% | Varies by chemical |
| Cotton textiles | 10-20% | Varies by construction |
| Synthetic garments | 15-32% | Higher for synthetics |
| Carpets and rugs | 0-6% | Handmade often lower |
| Spices | 0-5% | Most spices low duty |
| Basmati rice | 0% | Duty-free |
| Shrimp | 0% | But check AD duties |
| Auto parts | 0-4% | Most parts low duty |
| Stainless steel | 0-3% | Check AD/CVD orders |
| Leather goods | 5-20% | Varies by product type |
| Gems and jewelry | 0-6.5% | Cut diamonds often 0% |
Always verify exact rates using our duty calculator with the specific HS code for your product.
Required documents
For a standard import from India, you need:
From your Indian supplier
- Commercial invoice: Must include: complete product description, quantity, unit price, total value, HS code, country of origin, buyer/seller details, Incoterm
- Packing list: Detailed breakdown of cartons, weights, dimensions
- Bill of lading (or airway bill): Transport document from the carrier
- Certificate of Origin: May be needed for duty purposes or buyer requirements
- Product-specific certificates: Test reports, quality certificates, compliance documents
For regulated products
- Food products: FSSAI certificate, health certificate, phytosanitary certificate (for plant-based), lab test reports
- Pharmaceuticals: FDA drug listing, establishment registration, Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP)
- Textiles: Fiber content declaration, care labeling documentation
- Chemicals: TSCA certification, SDS (Safety Data Sheet), REACH equivalent data
From your side (as US importer)
- Customs bond (continuous or single entry)
- ISF filing (for ocean shipments — 24 hours before vessel loading)
- Power of attorney to your customs broker
- Import permits if your product requires them (FDA registration, USDA permit, etc.)
Finding reliable Indian suppliers
Online platforms
- IndiaMART (indiamart.com): India's largest B2B platform — 7M+ suppliers, 100M+ products. Good starting point but requires heavy vetting.
- TradeIndia (tradeindia.com): Second largest Indian B2B platform
- ExportGenius: Indian export data platform — see which companies are actually exporting (not just claiming to)
- Alibaba: Has Indian suppliers, though primarily known for Chinese ones
- Global Sources: Verified supplier listings including India
Government resources
- DGFT (dgft.gov.in): India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade — exporter database and IEC (Import Export Code) verification
- APEDA (apeda.gov.in): Agricultural products — registered exporters for food items
- Pharmexcil: Pharmaceutical export council — verified pharma manufacturers
- EEPC India: Engineering export promotion council
Vetting Indian suppliers
- Verify IEC (Import Export Code): Every legitimate Indian exporter has one — verify on DGFT website
- Check export history: Use export data platforms to see if they actually export (and to whom)
- Request factory audit: Third-party inspection companies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV) operate throughout India
- Start with samples: Never commit to a large order without evaluating samples first
- Visit if possible: India's manufacturing clusters are accessible and suppliers welcome visits
- Check certifications: ISO, BIS, GMP, FDA registration (for pharma), GOTS (for organic textiles)
- Payment terms: Start with smaller orders and LC (Letter of Credit) payment. Move to T/T after trust is established.