International trade compliance

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
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 to the International Coffee Agreement

International Economic Cooperation

India is a member of the following international economic organisations: IMF, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (dialogue partner), ICC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, WTO, among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates India click here. International organisation membership of India is also outlined here.

Party of the ATA Convention on Temporary Admissions and Use of the Carnets

Yes

As a Reminder, the ATA is a System Allowing the Free Movement of Goods Across Frontiers and Their Temporary Admission Into a Customs Territory With Relief From Duties and Taxes. The Goods Are Covered By a Single Document Known as the ATA Carnet That is Secured By an International Guarantee System.

Party of the TIR Convention

No

As a Reminder, the TIR Convention and its Transit Regime Contribute to the Facilitation of International Transport, Especially International Road Transport, Not Only in Europe and the Middle East, But Also in Other Parts of the World, Such as Africa and Latin America.

Accompanying Documents For Imports

- Manufacturer's Commercial Invoice duly Signed and if possible Bank Attested

- Price list of the commodities in shipment

- Manual and Catalogue , write ups or Technical Literature for laboratory or Electronic equipment

- Import declaration and GATT Declaration sign and stamp by consignee (Two copies)

- Packing List duly signed

- Purchase Order

- Authority letter from Consignee

- Import Duty/ Warehouse / Octroi/ D.O Charges in advance

- Any applicable Special Import License

- Certificate of origin, mill test certificate, test report (applicable for metal and chemical groups only)

- Copy of IEC/BIN Number required from importer.

For clearance of all live plant and flower, a phytosanitary certificate is required from Plant Quarantine Officer.

In case of Drugs and Medicines, prior approval of assistant Drug Controller is necessary.

Delivery of radioactive materials and explosives can only be cleared if bill of entry is accompanied by NOC from the department of atomic energy or the Controller of Explosives.

To go further, check out our service Shipping Documents.

Free-trade zones

The Indian government established several foreign trade zone initiatives to encourage export-oriented production, including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Software Technology Parks (STPs), and Export Oriented Units (EOUs). According to the figures from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, there are currently more than 250 operational SEZs. Click here for Contact and other details of SEZs established notified under the SEZ Act of 2005.
For details visit the portal of India's Special Economic Zones.

For Further Information

Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Finance
Directorate General of Foreign Trade

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 this document.

Sectors or Products For Which Commercial Disagreements Have Been Registered With the WTO

For details, refer to the section "India and WTO" on the website of Ministry of Commerce.

Assessment of Commercial Policy

The WTO pages dedicated to India
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the United States
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the EU
Sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, inventoried by the EU