Importing from India means finding the right product and a reliable manufacturer, agreeing the order quantity and shipping terms, moving the goods by sea, clearing customs, and fulfilling orders through a warehouse. Done well, it is a repeatable system rather than a gamble. This guide lays out that system from a manufacturer and exporter’s point of view, and links to detailed guides for each step.

My name is Gulshan Iyer. I run a manufacturing and export business in India, so I have handled every stage of this from the supply side, and made my share of mistakes along the way. What follows is the practical framework I wish every first-time importer had, without the hype.

The two objectives of a durable import business

Before the tactics, be clear on what you are optimizing for. In my experience two objectives separate a business that compounds from one that struggles:

  • Consistently increasing organic sales, so you are not dependent on paid ads or a single marketplace.
  • Turning inventory into cash quickly, so your capital keeps working instead of sitting on a shelf.

The sustainable path is to order in bulk by sea, invest in growing multi-channel distribution organically, and scale profitably. Air dropshipping suits only a narrow set of high-value, low-weight products; for most goods, bulk-and-distribute is what makes the numbers work.

The framework, step by step

1. Choose the right product

Look for a healthy gross margin (aim for 60 percent or more after landing the goods), cross-sell and upsell potential to lift average order value, repeat-purchase demand to build customer lifetime value, and a genuine quality edge you can turn into strong reviews. Avoid fragile, cold-chain, or heavily regulated categories on a first import.

2. Vet the supplier

The supplier is the single biggest decision, because they carry your quality all year. Check custom and private-label ability, fast samples, clear payment and shipping terms, spare capacity, transparent quality assurance, and a willingness to accept third-party inspection. Our 10-point supplier checklist covers this in full.

3. Get branding and packaging right

Packaging is your first impression and a repeat-purchase tool. Set brand guidelines, explain the SKU contents clearly, add a print insert to drive engagement and reviews, apply a UPC label, and plan product, master-box, and pallet dimensions against your warehouse’s rules so you are not penalized on handling.

4. Agree the order quantity (MOQ)

Every supplier sets a minimum order quantity to cover the fixed cost of a production run. Understand it, and learn how to work with it: start with samples and a trial order, mix SKUs to fill a container, and scale once a product proves it sells. See our guide to MOQ.

5. Choose your incoterms and shipping

Incoterms decide who pays for and controls each stage of shipping. First-time importers usually prefer DDP for simplicity; regulars move to FOB to control freight and cost. Our incoterms guide explains EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP with a who-pays-what table.

6. Know your landed cost and fulfillment

Landed cost is the all-in cost of getting goods to your warehouse, including freight, duty, port fees, and 3PL handling. It, not the factory price, decides profitability. Our landed cost and 3PL guide breaks down the real US warehouse fees with a worked example.

7. Stay compliant

To import into the USA you need an importer of record, a customs bond, an ISF filing before the goods load, and consistent entry documents. Food-contact and plant-based goods carry extra FDA and USDA rules. Our compliance guide walks through each requirement and the common, costly mistakes.

8. Sort out payments and financing

Pay in the correct currency by bank transfer against a proforma invoice, with a clear purchase order and terms. Typical terms are 50 percent on confirmation and 50 percent on dispatch. As you grow, explore trade finance such as a letter of credit or buy-now-pay-later facilities to fund inventory without straining cash.

9. Build demand across channels

Do not launch on one channel and hope. Build a B2B and B2C presence together: your own website, marketplaces, and social channels, with blogs and an email list generating demand before the store even opens. Business-to-business search is often the lowest-hanging fruit. Plan to publish useful content for the weeks before launch so you arrive with an audience.

Why now is a reasonable time to import from India

India still accounts for a small share of global exports relative to its manufacturing base, and its export ecosystem, from freight to trade finance, has matured quickly. For eco-friendly and compostable products in particular, the supply base is deep and the demand abroad is growing. None of that removes the need to do the work above; it just means the groundwork is more supportive than it used to be.

Where Arbhu fits

We are a manufacturer and exporter of compostable, disposable tableware in India: areca palm-leaf plates, sugarcane bagasse tableware, coconut-shell serveware, birchwood cutlery, bio cups, and bamboo toothbrushes. We send samples, let you mix SKUs to a workable order, quote EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP, and ship worldwide. Browse the product range, review our certifications, or request a quote.

All our import guides

Frequently asked questions

Is now a good time to start importing from India?

Yes, if you do the groundwork. The export ecosystem has matured and the supply base for eco-friendly goods is deep, but success still depends on choosing the right product, a reliable supplier, and handling shipping and compliance properly.

What is the hardest part of importing from India?

Choosing the right supplier and managing quality, followed by shipping and compliance. Get the supplier and quality right and most other problems become manageable.

Do I need a big budget to start?

Not necessarily. Start with samples and a small trial order, mix SKUs to reach a workable quantity, and scale once a product proves it sells, rather than committing heavily up front.