Procurement, sourcing and import from India

Purchasing products or services seems easy, but this is not always the case. How do you know that you have the best deal, especially if you haven’t done much business before in India?

It already helps if you have a structured approach for your procurement and to keep your options open. Working with a local consultant or agency may help to identify more potential suppliers and to get the products that you just bought accross the border to their destination.

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    Find the right suppliers in India

    India, located in South Asia, exports a diverse range of products that showcase its industrial capabilities and rich cultural heritage. The country is known for exporting information technology (IT) services, including software development, IT consulting, and business process outsourcing (BPO), which are critical to its services sector and global presence in technology.

    Wages in India vary widely across different industries and regions. Generally, wages are lower compared to many developed countries, which has fueled the growth of industries like IT services, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. The cost of living in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore can vary, impacting disposable income levels.

    India is also a major exporter of pharmaceutical products, including generic medicines and vaccines, which are essential for global healthcare markets. The country has a strong presence in the automotive sector, exporting vehicles, components, and accessories. Additionally, India exports agricultural products such as rice, spices, and tea, reflecting its diverse agro-climatic zones and farming practices.

    In addition to its export strengths, India offers attractive options for outsourcing and investment in sectors like IT services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and automotive engineering. The country’s large and skilled workforce, competitive operational costs, and supportive government policies have made it a preferred destination for global businesses.

    Travel to India for a better impression

    The best preparation for doing business in any country is visiting it. This way you can experience the culture, check the shops and build your network.

    Where it comes to hotels, research shows that if you check these platforms, in 80% of the cases you have the lowest room rates.

    A structured approach for sourcing from India

    If you take your sourcing step by step, then it can’t go wrong.

    Step 1

    Supplier search

    Try to identify in total 6 to 10 possible suppliers and check their websites. Approach them with a general request to see whether they have the products or services you need.

    Step 2

    Supplier selection

    Submit your requirements to a group of three to five selected suppliers and ensure you get the right comparable quotations to make a choice. Negotiate with one or two of them to get the best result.

    Step 3

    Supplier Management

    Now start collaborating, making sure you have an efficient ordering process and limited risks where it comes to quality control and shipping the products.

    Shipping your products

    If you buy physical products, you need them to get the shipped out of India. Depending on the country you are in, this can be a challenge.

    First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150. 

    There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

    Frequently asked questions

    The best way to find a supplier or service provider in India is to first have clear exactly what you are looking for. Also determine what size, qualities or other characteristics your vendor should have. Only then start searching in the market and always ask proposals for a concrete project to three or more parties.
    Yes, in general buying goods or services from India is safe. Of course there are always unforeseen hiccups, but most can be managed. Only if you are at a greater distance from the country, in a different time zone or English can not be the common language, then there may be misunderstandings and your supplier may be difficult to control. Having a local representative for your company can then be wise.

    In developing or more developed countries also labour costs are getting higher, so there is no real bargain any more. On the other hand, the more developed a country is, the better the certainty for deliveries and the more focus there is on quality.

    There are various companies offering sourcing and procurement services, and it is always good to have a comparison. Please note that we have transparant packages for supplier selection, and most important, a local team in India.
    Always make sure first that India is the right place to source for this product, or otherwise start searching in a few countries at the same time. Then list at least 5 or preferably 10 companies and start approaching them (or have this done by us) in order to check that they can provide what you want. Then start the real comparison.