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Ship from Singapore to India: A Complete Guide

6 min read

India is emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, presenting a wealth of investment opportunities for Singaporean businesses. According to Statista, its real gross domestic product grew 8.15% in 20231, and along with the other BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India, and China – has strengthened its economy over the last few decades, making it an ideal market to conduct trade with.

However, to ensure a successful shipment to India, understanding the customs regulations of the country is key. India is particularly careful about the goods entering its borders, as well as the legitimacy of the importer. Therefore, when shipping from Singapore, you should anticipate a round of in-depth checks. DHL Express is an ideal courier service to assist you in navigating this comprehensive customs process and simplify the delivery of your goods, ensuring that your parcel to India reaches its destination on time and in an undamaged condition.

If you’re wondering how your Singaporean business can export to India, then you’re in the right place. Here’s our comprehensive guide on India’s regulations and what you need to know before sending a parcel from Singapore.

Why ship to India?

The economic relationship between Singapore and India has consistently been strong and cordial. In 2023, the bilateral trade between Singapore and India demonstrated robust growth, reaching USD 35.6 billion, an impressive increase of 18.2% from 2022.2

Singapore is also the fourth-largest exporter of goods to India, creating a compelling landscape for Singaporean businesses looking to expand their footprint. 

For merchants keen to leverage this advantageous relationship, consider establishing contact with local retailers, exploring distribution channels, and effectively shipping and distributing your products within India. It is also crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of India’s customs regulations, restrictions, the list of prohibited and restricted goods, and the essential documents required for a smooth courier to India.

India's trade policy and regulations

Keep in mind the following items you can and cannot ship out of Singapore and into India. If proper prior research is not carried out, you might face delays in your shipments or have them rejected.

Main exports from Singapore to India

  • Petroleum products
  • Electronic and Machinery equipment
  • Iron and Steel products
  • Inorganic chemicals and miscellaneous chemical products
  • Mechanical appliances, among others

Prohibited exports from Singapore

  • Rough diamonds
  • Meat products
  • Rhinoceros horns
  • Animals
  • Chemicals

Prohibited imports into India

  • Antiquities
  • Narcotic and psychotropic substances
  • Counterfeit and pirated goods
  • Wildlife products and human skeleton
  • Aero models
  • Maps and literature where Indian external boundaries have been shown incorrectly
  • Pornographic and obscene materials
  • Chemical weapons

You can learn more about DHL’s list of prohibited and restricted items here.

How to send your parcel from Singapore to India

When preparing your parcel for India, pay careful attention to documentation. Accurately creating your DHL Air Waybill and preparing a commercial shipping invoice are key steps. These documents ensure you present accurate information about the package, such as its actual value, which is crucial for preventing clearance delays.

If you are shipping restricted items, such as certain chemicals or specific machinery parts, a formal customs clearance will likely be required. In such cases, your consignee in India must provide the necessary paperwork to ensure the goods are permitted entry. Always verify with your consignee that all required documentation is prepared in advance to prevent any delays or disruptions to transit time for your shipment from Singapore to India.

To ensure your courier from Singapore to India has the smoothest possible journey, proactively prepare the following:

1. Commercial invoice

A commercial invoice is a mandatory document for all non-document shipments when shipping to India. It serves as a legal document between the exporter and the importer, detailing the goods being sold, their value, and the terms of sale. Customs authorities in India rely on this invoice to assess duties and taxes and to ensure compliance with import regulations. An accurate and complete commercial invoice helps prevent customs hold-ups and ensures a smooth entry for your goods into India.

2. Prepare Know Your Customer (KYC) & Power of Attorney (POA) documents

Being aware of who your consignee is, is of paramount importance when shipping products to India. Here are some key points to note:

  • It is mandatory for the consignee to upload the KYC and POA in www.kyc.india.express.dhl.com in order for the parcel to clear customs.
  • Consignee’s name and address on the KYC document must match the AWB and invoice details.
  • Failure to upload KYC will result in the shipment not being cleared, with no option for service recovery. All imports attract duty. Duty exemption, if any, will need a specific duty exemption notification from IN Customs.
  • The consignee should have a valid Import Export Code No. (IEC), unless the import is specifically by individuals for personal use, which may qualify for exemption.

Read our detailed guide on KYC documents for each classification or organisation.

How does the KYC process work?

Before you send a parcel to India, the receiver must gather their KYC proof and provide it to your chosen courier, like DHL Express. The courier will then securely save the receiver’s details in their KYC database and use it for all future shipments to that specific address. 

This process must be repeated each time you use a different courier, send goods to a new address, or when the receiver’s details change. Even if a business has multiple addresses, each location must be registered separately in your courier’s KYC database to ensure compliance.

 What if the receiver’s KYC documents aren’t ready?

Missing KYC documentation can cause significant delays for your shipment from Singapore to India. It may even lead to penalty fees. To ensure a smooth and timely process, it is highly recommended to ask your receiver if their KYC details are already known and updated with the courier. If not, advise your receiver to gather all necessary documents for submission before you send the parcel. Proactive communication here is vital for seamless clearance.

3. Checking if your goods are controlled or restricted

Checking if your goods are categorised as controlled or restricted goods before attempting to ship to India can prevent significant delays, hefty fines, and even the seizure or destruction of your parcel by customs authorities. To check if a good is restricted, search for the description, Harmonised (HS) code, or CA product code in the Singapore Customs Database. If a good is subjected to control, check in with the CA to receive full details on their licensing requirements. Here are some of the details below:

Alcoholic Beverages

  • If an alcoholic beverage is considered a free gift, a maximum of one 1-litre bottle is typically permitted.
  • For all other instances, the consignee in India must provide State Excise permission for import. It is thus strongly advised to send the parcel only after the consignee provides written confirmation that they possess these necessary import approvals. 
  • Additionally, be aware that some Indian states enforce a ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Therefore, always confirm with your consignee whether the destination state has such a prohibition in place.

Coal & firewood, Plants, Animal fur, Tobacco Products

  • For such items, special import permission or a licence from the Government of India is required.
  • Remember, they can only be shipped if the consignee confirms the possession of the government licence.
  • It is critical that the shipper declares the correct market value of the parcel. Failure to do so will result in the shipment being seized by customs, incurring fines and penalties for both the consignee and the courier service. In such cases, the shipment will neither be delivered nor returned to Singapore.

Used or refurbished goods

  • Importing used or refurbished goods is restricted unless approved by the Indian National Committee on Organisation of Government (INCOG). Any discrepancies or omissions in the item's description, value, content, address, or the provision of multiple PIN codes will result in the disposal of the parcel at the destination with no option for return. Compliance with IN laws is the shipper’s and receiver’s responsibility only. The shipper must also provide a properly executed invoice in English; handwritten or foreign language invoices will not be accepted.

Fabrics & Textile articles

  • All fabrics (including samples and swatches) or textile articles are subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Textile Committee Office prior to the physical clearance of shipments. Shipment of textile, fabric, or garment being sent to IN should ideally have a laboratory test report from any internationally accredited testing agencies viz.: SGS, Lloyds Register, Bureau Veritas, etc. This will help reduce delays and warehouse charges.

Foodstuffs

  • Foodstuffs like grain or perishable items like fruits, flowers, or vegetables are subject to government controls. You should anticipate a potential delay of 2 - 6 working days for customs clearance.
  • Additionally, a NOC is required from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which can only be processed at Bombay, Delhi, and Chennai gateways.
  • The consignee is responsible for providing all necessary paperwork to obtain the NOC. Be aware that some items may also be selected for laboratory testing by FSSAI, which could result in an additional delay of 10-15 days.

Drugs (with & without prescription)

  • When shipping medicines/drugs consigned to individuals in India, the consignee will be required to provide Form 12B. (Refer to https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs_Personal for more details.)
  • Narcotic / Phototropic medicine/drugs can only be shipped to India if the consignee provides a valid import licence. Furthermore, proper identity and address details of the shipper must be readily available at the origin, as this information is crucial should regulatory authorities need to contact them.
  • Non-compliance with the import of Narcotic / Phototropic carries severe repercussions. 
  • All medicine/drugs also necessitate a No Objection Certification from the Assistant Drug Controller in India.
  • The manufacturer's name, batch number & expiry details should appear in the invoice. Special clearance charges will be applicable.
  • Absence of import permission/ licence will result in the shipment being abandoned with no option for return.

Used /Refurbished / Secondhand Goods

  • When shipping Used /Refurbished / Secondhand Goods, the consignee must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forest of India.
  • Additionally, an import licence is mandatory for consumer goods in this category (e.g, computer, laptop, printer, mobile, television, etc.). 
  •  It is crucial not to send such shipments if they are consigned to an individual, as this is a common point of non-compliance. 
  • Non-adherence will result in seizure by regulatory authorities. Fine & penalty will be levied on both the Consignee and the courier service. The return or redirection of the shipment to Singapore will also not be permitted.

Passports

  • If you are sending a parcel to India that contains a passport, it should either be shipped by an embassy or a regulatory body, be consigned directly to an embassy or regulatory body. In any case, it should not be shipped from one individual to another. Indian customs will decide the authenticity on a case-by-case basis.
  • An original letter from the relevant embassy should accompany your package. Failure to comply will result in the shipment not reaching the consignee.

Cosmetics

  • Importing cosmetics is also subject to destination controls and import licence requirements. You should anticipate potential clearance delays for 2-6 working days. For successful clearance, the consignee must provide the necessary paperwork.
  • A NOC is also required from the ADC (Additional Drug Controller), which can only be processed at BOM, BLR, DEL, and MAA gateways.
  • The consignee is responsible for providing this NOC paperwork. Furthermore, the manufacturer's name, batch number, and expiry details must be clearly stated on the commercial invoice. Common examples of cosmetics sent include makeup products (e.g., mascara, blush, eyeliner) and skincare items.

Computer software

  • If you’re shipping computer software, the consignee must provide the necessary paperwork to claim any applicable duty exemption. This proactive measure by the consignee is essential for the smooth customs clearance of your parcel to India.

Mobile phones, Accessories, & Components

  • If you are shipping mobile phones, accessories, or their components to India, it is mandatory to specify the brand name, model number, and IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) on the shipping invoice. 
  • It is crucial to note that refurbished mobile parts are not permitted for import into the country. Failure to comply will result in your shipment being destroyed with no option for its return to origin (RTO).

Telecommunication equipment

  • To import telecommunication equipment like a laptop or an iwatch, which transmits RF (radio frequency) signals and operates with a range of more than 4800 MHz, a WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) licence will be required from the consignee. These items can only be shipped to India if the consignee confirms they possess this necessary license.

4. Proper packaging of parcels

To ensure your shipment reaches India in optimal conditions, package your goods properly. This involves choosing boxes of appropriate sizing, filling voids with foam peanuts, and labelling your package correctly. After packing your shipment, schedule your shipment collection before you hand over your parcel to a parcel service like DHL Express. You can contact our customer service, arrange for a pickup from MyDHL+, or drop off your shipment at any DHL Express service points in Singapore

Understanding customs clearance in India

When a parcel enters India, it typically undergoes one of two types of customs clearance: express clearance or formal clearance. Understanding which process applies to your shipment to India is essential for preparing the correct documentation beforehand and ensuring a smooth journey.

Express clearance, also known as courier mode, is a streamlined process with minimal paperwork. This method is typically used for low-to-medium-value goods such as documents, gifts (up to 5,000 INR duty-free for personal gifts), and samples (up to 10,000 INR). Packages weighing up to 70 kg often qualify for this route. With all correct paperwork in place, you can generally expect your parcel from Singapore to India to be released on the same day. Required documentation typically includes the Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, and KYC documentation, with a packing list or purchase order sometimes also needed.

In contrast, formal clearance, or freight mode, is reserved for high-value shipments (those valued at 100,000 INR or more), bulk goods, or regulated items, even if they are low-to-medium value. This process is more involved and often requires advance payment of duties, additional extensive paperwork, and typically the involvement of a customs broker to oversee the clearance process. The receiver has the option to use their own broker service or a broker provided by the courier. Additional documents are frequently required beyond the basic Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, and KYC documentation. 

DHL Express: Courier service from Singapore to India

To provide you with a seamless courier service from Singapore to India, DHL Express handles customs clearance and completion of declarations for you. Enjoy these added advantages when you choose DHL Express:

  • Network coverage of over 220 countries and territories
  • Simpler and safer shipping process with DHL Express’ shipping tools, MyDHL+, and ODD (On-Demand Delivery)
  • Receive real-time updates on shipment and clearance statuses
  • Flexible delivery options
  • Flexible collection time 
  • 24/7 customer support

Partner with us for efficient courier services from Singapore to India and gain the assurance that your shipments will cross the border quickly and smoothly.

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Frequently asked questions about shipping to India

While shipping to India can be complex due to its detailed customs regulations and the strict requirement for consignee documentation like KYC and POA, with the right courier service like DHL Express, the process is made easier as we guide you through the requirements and handle many formalities.

Transit times for a parcel to India vary depending on the specific service chosen, the origin and destination within India, and customs clearance times. DHL Express typically offers expedited services that can deliver within a few business days, making it a fast courier from Singapore to India. However, delays can occur if documentation is incomplete or if goods are subject to extended customs checks.

With DHL Express, you can track your parcel using our advanced online tracking system. This system provides real-time updates, including notifications if your shipment to India is held by customs or if additional information is required. Our customer service team is also available 24/7 to provide assistance.

While not always mandatory, it is highly recommended to consider shipping insurance when you send a parcel to India, especially for high-value goods. Given the complexities of international shipping and customs procedures, insurance provides financial protection against potential loss or damage during transit, offering peace of mind for your shipment from Singapore to India.