The apparel industry in India is undergoing a strategic transformation. Forecasted to grow at an aggressive 10-12% CAGR from 2024 to 2030, this sector is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing large-scale markets globally, with the market expected to reach USD 130–150 billion by 2030.1 This growth is not driven solely by volume but by a new wave of apparel brands and a fundamental shift in consumer behavior, where pricing and trend responsiveness have emerged as key decision drivers.
This "fast fashion" paradigm puts immense pressure on the apparel supply chain. To stay competitive, businesses must be agile, responsive, and capable of moving from design to production to market in record time. Speed is no longer optional but a core competitive advantage.
In this guide, we will explore the role of express logistics in powering the apparel supply chain, the continued need for strategic imports, and how Indian manufacturers can leverage advanced logistics solutions to gain a competitive edge in both domestic and global markets.
In short, yes. Despite being one of the largest textile exporters globally and benefiting from the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme to boost domestic manufacturing, Indian apparel manufacturers continue to rely on imports for man-made fibers and specialty yarns.2 These materials are essential to meet evolving local and global fashion trends, as well as the growing demand for blended and high-performance fabrics.
To maintain exacting quality and design standards and compete with international brands in India and abroad, manufacturers also import premium garment trims, zippers, and specialized embellishments. These imports are particularly critical for sample production and small-batch runs, where speed is essential and timely delivery can make the difference between hitting market trends or falling behind.
To build a resilient apparel supply chain, a manufacturer must have absolute control over its inputs. This frequently involves the targeted import of three key categories:
This reliance on imports creates a significant challenge: how do you manage a global supply chain without being crushed by long lead times and high inventory costs?
The answer is just in time logistics, powered by express shipping services. By leveraging express shipping services, manufacturers can receive raw materials, specialty yarns, and garment trims just-in-time for production, reducing the need for large inventories and lowering carrying costs.
Express services are especially vital for sample production and new collection launches, allowing materials that would traditionally take weeks to arrive from global hubs like China or Hong Kong to reach production floors in days instead of weeks. This speed enables brands to respond immediately to emerging trends and market demands, creating a significant competitive advantage.
Additionally, express logistics providers help navigate government export incentive programs such as RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) and RoSCTL (Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies). By managing the complex documentation required for these schemes, logistics experts ensure a smooth, paperless claims process, allowing manufacturers to maximize financial benefits while maintaining operational efficiency.
India’s apparel manufacturers face an unprecedented opportunity for local and global growth, but capturing this potential requires a resilient, agile, and transparent supply chain.
DHL Express provides door-to-door international courier services with predictable transit times. Key benefits include:
By partnering with DHL Express, manufacturers can focus on production, design, and brand growth while ensuring every order moves swiftly from suppliers to customers. Rapid transit times and expert logistics support accelerate production cycles, reduce delays, and help collections reach the market faster.
Start building a smarter, more efficient supply chain today. Open a DHL Express business account and let our international courier service become your competitive advantage.
Indian apparel manufacturers primarily import specialty yarns and fabrics, garment trims and accessories, and advanced textile machinery. These imports help brands meet evolving global trends, produce high-quality garments, and respond quickly to market demands.
Express logistics reduces lead times, supports just-in-time inventory, accelerates sample production, and allows brands to respond rapidly to emerging fashion trends. Fast, reliable shipping is essential to stay competitive in the fast-paced apparel market.
DHL Express provides fast and predictable shipping, expert customs clearance, scalable logistics solutions, and complete shipment visibility. This helps manufacturers streamline global supply chains, reduce delays, and maintain production efficiency.
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