Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

There has been a significant expansion in distribution channels in India. The total number of retail distribution outlets in the country is estimated at over 12 million.

Most Indian manufacturers use the traditional three-tier selling and distribution structure: redistribution stockists, wholesalers and retailers. However, with the advent of shopping malls in the retail sector, manufacturers are now ready to supply directly to large retail outlets at discounted prices.

India still does not allow foreign direct investment in retailing, so foreign companies need to partner with local companies to enter the market. For more information on FDI & Retail sector, visit the site: Ministry of Commerce.

Market shares

Indian retail market size is estimated at USD180 billion and organized retailing is likely to grow rapidly: 30-50% annually during the next five years. Currently, the volume of organized retailing is very small compared to the size of the market.

Organizations in the retail sector

Retailers Association of India

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Party of the International coffee agreement 2001

Main International economic cooperation

India is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and multilateral and bilateral trade agreements with many countries.
The country have signed a trade agreement with 21 other countries in the São Paulo Round of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP).
India signed in March 2011 a Tariff-Cutting Trade Treaty with Japan that will eliminate or reduce about 94% of tariffs on the countries’ bilateral trade over a ten-year period.

Non tariff barriers

- Import Licensing: Though India has eliminated its import licensing requirements for most consumer goods, certain products like motorcycles and vehicles still require import licenses.
- Anti-dumping and countervailing measures: Such measures are imposed from time-to-time to protect the domestic manufacturers from dumping.
- Export subsidies and domestic support: Several export subsidies and other domestic support is provided to several industries to make them competitive internationally.
- Procurement: The Indian government allows a price preference for local suppliers in government contracts and generally discriminates against foreign suppliers.
- Service barriers: There are still some restrictions for foreign companies to enter some service-oriented sectors like insurance, banking, securities, motion pictures, accounting, construction, architecture and engineering, retailing, legal services, express delivery services and telecommunication.
- Other barriers: Equity restrictions and other trade-related investment measures are in place to give an unfair advantage to domestic companies.

For the most current information on India’s Prohibited Import List, please see: www.exim.indiamart.com/freedlist/prohibited.html

Customs duties and taxes on imports

The average customs duty is around 15%.

Though this is relatively high, but as per the WTO commitments India is going to slowly reduce it.

The Central Board of Excise & Customs- CBEC is the apex body for customs matters.

Customs classification

India uses the harmonized system.

Import procedures

Incase of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): No formal Bill of Entry is filed as it is generated in the computer system, but the importer is required to file a cargo declaration having prescribed particulars required for processing of the entry for customs clearance.
Incase of non-EDI more documents are also generally required.
Green Channel facility : Some major importers have been given the green channel clearance facility. They have to make a declaration in the declaration form at the time of filing of Bill of Entry. The appraisement is done as per normal procedure except that there would be no physical examination of the goods.
For details, visit the website: Central Board of Excise & Customs- CBEC.

Importing samples

Samples for non-commercial use are allowed incase the goods are supplied free of charge.

For duty free clearance the value of individual sample should not exceed Rs.5000/- and aggregate value should not exceed Rs.60 000/- per year or 15 units of samples in a year. However, the Prototypes of engineering goods can be imported even if the value is more than Rs.5000/-.

For further information

Central Board of Excise and Customs
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Finance
Directorate General of Foreign Trade

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

About 95% of the country’s trade by volume and 70% by value are moved through maritime transport.
India's new international status as IT and manufacturing hub has led to the growth of international air traffic. India has one of the largest road networks in the world, the National Highways (NHs), with a total length of 66 590 km, serve as the arterial network of the country, connecting the State capitals, ports and big cities.

Ports

Ports in India: Kolkata, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Ennore, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, Kandla

Airports

Delhi airport
Kolkata airport
Mumbai airport
Chennai airport

Sea transport organizations

Department of Shipping
Shipping Corporation of India

Air transport organizations

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Road transport organizations

Department of Road Transport and Highways
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
Border Roads Organization (BRO)

Rail transport organizations

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

The main sectors are heavy and light engineering, steel, automotive, cement, biotechnology, drugs and pharmaceuticals, food processing, mines & minerals, textiles and fertilizers. Automotive is one of the largest industrial sectors in the country. Food processing sector is another high potential area.

Business directories

Indian Yellow Pages
Indiamart
Business Online India
India Nexus

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM)
Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA)
Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT)
The Clothing Manufacturers' Association Of India (CMAI)
Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association (IMTMA)
All India Electric Motor Manufacturers Association (AIEMMA)
The Fertilizer Association of India (FAI)

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India

Enterprises federation

Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India
Indian Industries Association (IIA)

Standards

National standards organizations

Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) - Earlier called as Indian Standards Institute (ISI)

Integration in the international standards network

The BIS is a founder member of the International Standard organization (ISO) and of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

 

For more details consult www.bis.org.in.

Classification of standards

The symbol of the standard is ISI. Every ISI mark has a fixed format that carries the Indian Standard number on top of the mark based on the type of product.

Online consultation of standards

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Certification organizations

Quality Council of India

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products

Intellectual Property

National organizations

Controller-General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks
Copyright Office
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority
Department of Information Technology
National Intellectual Property Organization (NIPO)

Regional organizations

None

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Membership to the TRIPS agreement - Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)