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India Importer of Record and IT Shipping

Your Importer of Record into India must satisfy strict requirements for documentation and hardware safety regulations.

India Importer of Record at a Glance: 

Importer of Record

  • India strictly scrutinizes the commercial transaction details of each shipment
  • The import of IT hardware can require MTCTE, BIS Certificates, or other documentation

IT Shipping & Logistics

  • FGX can assist with shipments where your company is eligible for SEZ or STPI incentives
  • India has several airports and regions where air freight is widely available

Importer of Record and Pre-shipment Documentation

Information technology plays a huge role in India’s import/export economy. IT is India’s third-largest import and their largest export product group. Despite the important role that IT equipment plays in India’s connection to the global economy, it is one of the most difficult markets to import into. 

Importer of Record 

India strictly scrutinizes the commercial transaction details of each shipment. Indian customs closely reviews the origin of each transaction, whether or not payment for the imported goods is required, and how the ownership will be managed in-country. Depending on the set-up of your local entities in the U.S. and the status of your entity in India, you may have to undergo a more complex process to properly import your equipment. 

Telecommunications Equipment Regulations 

Wireless technology will need another permit to ensure it meets compliance standards – the Wireless Import Permit (WIP). This permit applies to equipment like laptops, wireless routers, access points, etc. Additionally, your equipment may need a BIS Certificate. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificate is necessary for all your electronic equipment – laptops, servers, power supplies, etc. FGX can help you determine which equipment will need each permit and help you obtain them. 

Brand Protection Controls

Certain equipment has very strict brand protection controls in India – namely, Apple and Lenovo. Brand protection controls in India restrict any import of equipment by these brands for any reason, unless you are an approved distributor. In other countries, there may be exemption processes and/or ways to receive certificates from the manufacturer giving permission. But in India, this is not the case. FGX can help you ensure that you have purchased the proper equipment to fit your needs as well as to meet compliance requirements in India. 

IT Shipping & Logistics 

Special Economic Zones 

India has one of the most robust systems of Special Economic Zones including local programs like Software Technology Parks (STPI). India established these zones to encourage investment and development in certain areas of the country. Importing and operating your equipment in these areas provides both fiscal benefits as well as simplifies the compliance process. If your entity operates in one of these zones, FGX’s experts can ensure that any additional necessary information is included in the shipment to ensure that you receive the correlated benefits. 

Shipping

India has a number of major airports all around the country that are popular destinations for air freight. This means that wide-bodied air freight is widely available. Additionally, because there are several options for the location of your equipment’s initial landing, it can drastically reduce last-mile delivery times. However, India does have a very warm, humid climate.This means that you should ensure that your equipment is properly packed and stored to avoid any obstacles that might arise with equipment that needs to be kept dry and cool.

FGX manages all of our client’s shipments door-to-door (or door-to-datacenter). This case study showcases how we navigated IT logistics and importation into India at the time that it was written. Regulations and challenges are constantly changing and exact shipping requirements may have changed. To learn more about FGX and how our global shipping platform can help your company, reach out here.