In 2020, the total bilateral trade between India and China amounted to approximately $87.6 billion. India’s exports to China were valued at around $19 billion, while imports from China stood at approximately $68.6 billion.
Major Indian exports to China included raw materials like iron ore, organic chemicals, and cotton, as well as products like electrical machinery and equipment. Key imports from China to India comprised electrical machinery, machinery, organic chemicals, and plastics.
Due to various factors including the border tensions between India and China, the trade volume witnessed a decline in 2019 and further in 2020.
Freight shipping from China to India requires careful planning and consideration of available modes of transportation, including air and sea.
Air Freight:
Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation, ideal for time-sensitive shipments or high-value goods. It is commonly used for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishable items. Major airports in China for air freight include Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). In India, major airports for air freight include Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, and Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bangalore.
Sea Freight:
Sea freight is a cost-effective option for shipping large volumes of goods. It is commonly used for bulk commodities, machinery, textiles, and consumer goods. There are several ports in China that serve as major shipping hubs, including Shanghai Port (CNSHA), Ningbo-Zhoushan Port (CNNGB), and Shenzhen Port (CNSHE). In India, major ports for sea freight include Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai, Chennai Port (INMAA), and Visakhapatnam Port (INVIZ).
Shipping Lines:
Several shipping lines operate between China and India, providing reliable and efficient freight services. Some of the prominent shipping lines include:
- Maersk Line: Maersk Line is one of the largest shipping companies globally, offering comprehensive container shipping services between China and India.
- COSCO Shipping Lines: COSCO Shipping Lines is another major player in the shipping industry, connecting various ports in China with India.
- Evergreen Line: Evergreen Line is a Taiwanese shipping company that provides regular services between China and India, catering to both containerized and bulk cargo.
- Hapag-Lloyd: Hapag-Lloyd is a German shipping company that operates globally, including routes between China and India.
China is known for its diverse range of exports to India. Some of the commonly shipped goods include electronics, textiles and apparel, machinery and equipment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
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