Importing glassware from India runs in seven stages: RFQ, sample approval, PI and deposit, production, pre-shipment inspection, shipping under FOB or CIF, and customs clearance at your port. Budget 45–75 days door to door and confirm your country's duty on HS code 7013 before you commit.
The seven stages of importing glassware from India
Importing glassware from India is more predictable than most first-time buyers expect, provided you understand the sequence. Every order moves through the same seven stages, and knowing them up front lets you plan cash flow and arrival dates with confidence.
1. Request for quotation (RFQ). You send your requirement — articles, capacities, quantities, decoration and target market. A serious manufacturer replies with per-SKU pricing, MOQ, lead time and an Incoterm-based quote (FOB or CIF). 2. Sample approval. You approve a physical or photographic sample; for custom shapes this means a mould and a sealed sample. 3. Proforma invoice (PI) and deposit. You receive a PI; a typical deposit is 30%, balance against shipping documents. 4. Production. Catalogue goods take 30–45 days; custom moulds add 25–35 days for sampling.
5. Pre-shipment inspection. Photo QC every lot, with SGS or Bureau Veritas available if you want third-party sign-off before dispatch. 6. Shipping. The container is stuffed and sailed from Mundra or Nhava Sheva under your agreed Incoterm. 7. Customs clearance. Your broker clears the goods at your destination port against the document set. Door to door, budget 45–75 days depending on lane.
Incoterms, duties and HS codes
Two Incoterms cover most glassware imports. FOB (Free On Board) means the price covers everything up to the goods being loaded at the Indian port; you arrange and pay ocean freight and insurance. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) means the supplier's price includes freight and insurance to your destination port. CIF is simpler for new importers; FOB gives experienced buyers freight control. Always compare quotes on the same Incoterm.
Glassware sits under HS code 7013 (glassware for table, kitchen, toilet, office) — with sub-codes such as 7013.37 for tumblers and 7013.28 for stemware — and jars under 7010. Your import duty depends on your country's tariff schedule for 7013, so confirm the exact rate with your customs broker before committing. Some markets apply reduced or zero duty on Indian goods under trade arrangements; your broker can tell you if yours does.
One 20-ft container typically holds 20,000–26,000 tumblers or around 12,000–15,000 beer mugs, which spreads freight cost across enough units to keep landed cost competitive against local supply in most export markets.
The documents you'll receive
A clean document set is what lets your goods clear customs without delay. For a standard glassware import from India you should receive: a commercial invoice, a packing list, the bill of lading (your title to the goods), a Certificate of Origin (which may reduce duty under trade arrangements), and where required a fumigation certificate and any lab or migration test reports for decorated, food-contact glass.
The single biggest cause of clearance delay is mismatched paperwork — a packing list that doesn't agree with the bill of lading, or an HS code that doesn't match the goods. A supplier who runs export as one accountable desk, rather than handing you fragments, is worth more than a marginally cheaper unit price.
On a typical Glastic order, the document set is prepared against the sealed sample and the stuffing photos, so the packing list, invoice and bill of lading always agree — the detail that keeps a container moving through customs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to import glassware from India?
Catalogue goods ship in 30–45 days of production, plus 20–35 days ocean transit depending on destination — so 45–75 days door to door. Custom moulds add 25–35 days for sampling before production starts.
What is the import duty on glassware from India?
Glassware falls under HS code 7013. The duty rate depends on your country's tariff schedule and any trade arrangement with India — confirm the exact figure with your customs broker, and ask your supplier for a Certificate of Origin, which can reduce duty in some markets.
What is the minimum order to import glassware from India?
Catalogue items typically start at 5,000 pieces per SKU; lower-value items like shot glasses at 10,000. Most importers order a full 20-ft container and mix SKUs to reach volume efficiently.
Should I buy FOB or CIF?
CIF is simpler for first-time importers because the supplier arranges freight and insurance to your port. FOB gives experienced buyers control over freight forwarders and is often cheaper if you have your own rates.