How Long Does Shipping From China to India Take? – Planning Your Shipping [Updated May 2024]
As of early 2024, the trade volume between China and India has seen significant growth. In the first two months of 2024, the trade volume between the two countries reached $23.2 billion. This marks a 15.8% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Specifically, Chinese exports to India were valued at $19.5 billion, while imports from India totaled $3.7 billion.
Importing goods from China can be challenging, especially with many others doing the same. Therefore, it’s crucial to meticulously plan your 2024 shipping schedule.
You might have queries like:
How long does shipping from China to India take?
What is the shipping cost from China to India? How to reduce it?
How complex is the customs clearance process?
To assist you, we’ve created a useful guide to help you navigate the upcoming months.
What are the typical transit times for shipping from China to India?
What are the typical transit times and how long does it take for shipping from China to India?
Normally, shipping to Australia from China takes:
- Around 20-45 days on an ocean carrier; and
- Around 3-8 days using standard air freight from China to India.
For air freight, how long does it take can vary based on the specific service chosen.
The shipping duration will vary depending on whether you choose LCL (Less than Container Load) or FCL (Full Container Load). LCL freight from China to India generally take a few days longer due to the need for consolidation at the origin port and deconsolidation at the destination port.
Additionally, the shipping time can be affected by various holidays in China, which we will discuss in detail below.
How do Chinese Holidays Impact Shipping from China to India?
While bringing goods from China to India always take into account the impact of Chinese holidays. There are two major festivals that have the most significant impact importing from China to India.
Chinese New Year Spring Festival [ 21 Jan to 27 Jan]
It is one of the most important holiday event in China. You will be surprised to know that this is also called the largest annual mass migration in the world. This event includes a seven-day public holiday, causing a halt in production among Chinese suppliers and manufacturers. You also don’t find laborer’s at the ports in China.
Although the vacation lasts only a week, its ripple effects can be felt for over a month. All activities, including customs clearance, come to a halt.
To avoid the disruptions of the Chinese New Year, place your orders by the end of November at the latest. This popular holiday causes significant disruptions, leading to high demand for space and increased pricing. Factories close for an entire week, and space fills up rapidly. It typically takes several weeks after the holiday for operations to return to normal.
Golden Week Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival (1– 7 October)
The Golden Week Autumn Festival in China is from October 1st to October 7th. This is a national holiday in China, marking the country’s National Day, and it’s one of the busiest travel periods of the year due to the extended holiday period. During this week, many businesses and factories shut down, and there is a significant increase in domestic and international travel.
Place orders in early August to ensure they depart China before Golden Week. This is crucial as September marks the peak shipping season, with high demand as businesses prepare for Christmas. It’s the busiest period in the supply chain industry.
Other Chinese Holidays
You should also be informed of other public holidays in China. These tend of have some level of impact over your shipments from China to India.
Ocean Freight From China to India
Shipping costs from China to India depends on both size of your cargo and also whether you decide to ship your goods via sea freight or air freight.
If your shipping goods more than 500 kilograms shipping by sea from China to India is generally the cheaper option.
Cost of Shipping from China to India by sea.
The cost of shipping from China to India can vary based on several factors, including the type of container, shipment size, and market conditions. Here’s a summary of the current rates and trends:
Current Indicative Shipping Costs (May 2024):
These prices quotes are shared to give you an idea.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): $300-$500 per cubic meter
- FCL (Full Container Load) – 20-foot container: $1,000-$1,500.
- FCL (Full Container Load) – 40-foot container: $2,800-$4,000.
Recent Trends:
Over the past few months, shipping costs have seen slight adjustments but have generally remained stable.
Market demand and fuel costs are dynamic factors that influence these rates.
Air Freight from China to India
Indicative Cost of Air Freight from China to India (May 2024).
Please don’t treat these numbers to be accurate. But they absolutely give you an idea.
Current Rates:
As of May 2024, the air freight cost from China to India typically ranges between $4.00 to $8.00 per kilogram for larger weight boxes.
Trends Over the Last Few Months:
- January 2024: Rates were around $4.00 to $7.50 per kilogram.
- February 2024: There was a slight increase to $4.50 to $8.00 per kilogram due to the Chinese New Year, which typically causes a surge in demand.
- March 2024: Prices stabilized at approximately $4.00 to $7.50 per kilogram as the post-holiday demand decreased.
- April 2024: Rates remained stable but showed a slight increase towards the end of the month due to rising fuel costs.
Reasons for the Trends:
- Seasonal Demand: Peaks around major holidays like the Chinese New Year impact freight rates due to increased demand.
- Fuel Costs: Fluctuations in fuel prices directly affect air freight costs. Recently, there has been an increase in fuel prices, contributing to higher shipping costs.
- Capacity and Availability: Limited capacity and high demand for air cargo space have kept rates elevated. Post-pandemic recovery phases are also seeing varying demand and supply dynamics.
- Regulatory Changes: New regulations and trade policies between China and India can impact costs and demand for air freight services.
How to plan when shipping from China to India in 2024
We have outlined what preparations you should take while importing yours goods from China to India. These insights will help you to avoid mistakes.
Book Your Shipments early
After assembling all the necessary shipping documentation, the supplier will proceed to book the export shipment.
It is crucial to book your freight as early as possible, especially during the holiday seasons. This increases your chances of securing a spot on a vessel for your container and ensures your goods arrive on time.
Prepare for delays with a buffer
The phrase “plan for the worst, hope for the best” is highly applicable in the shipping industry. Always anticipate the worst-case scenario when shipping, as this approach helps you avoid potential disappointments.
Allow an extra week on both ends when importing goods from China via sea freight to create a two-week buffer. This buffer helps mitigate the impact of unexpected events such as poor weather, crowded ports, and delays due to labor strikes or shortages on your shipment.
Allow a five-day buffer when shipping from China to India via air freight. While air freight is significantly faster than ocean freight, a five-day safety margin increases the likelihood of on-time delivery. Aircraft, unlike ships, typically do not face the same issues.
Cover yourself legally
Delays can lead to legal disputes, particularly when they result in significant losses, whether from the loss of highly valuable goods or consequential losses such as potential profits that could have been earned if the goods had arrived on time.
To minimize liability associated with delays, you can include terms such as ‘subject to delays’ or ‘subject to the goods being available’ in your sale or purchase agreements. This can help protect you in the event of unexpected delays.
Always seek the advice of a legal professional when drafting or negotiating a sale contract, and to understand your rights in the event of a shipping delay.
Use air freight for urgent shipments from China to India.
If you need your goods urgently delivered from China to India, opt for air freight. Though it is a more expensive option, it ensures significantly faster delivery compared to shipping goods via an ocean vessel.
You should also check if there is a direct route from China to India. Avoid routes with stopovers in other countries to prevent unnecessary delays. Although this option may be more expensive, it is the best choice for urgent shipments.
Track your goods from China to India.
Ask your freight forwarder to help you with a tracking system for your shipments.
They can also provide you proactive updates about your shipment movement.
If you need any further assistance in planning your shipping, you can reach to Sahyog Logistics. Past 25 years we have been helping businessmen in and around Delhi to prosper.
Hire an experienced freight forwarders & customs clearance agency.
Re-routed cargo, incomplete documents, and blank sailings are more than just inconveniences; they can substantially impact your bottom line.
If your goods end up at an unexpected overseas port, get held at customs clearance due to incomplete documentation, or are stuck at a terminal because your sailing was canceled, your costs can escalate much faster than you might expect.
Therefore, it is crucial to consult a reputable freight forwarder to ensure all your paperwork is complete and you have the necessary resources in case unexpected issues arise with your cargo.