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Import Machinery from China to India
Machinery and mechanical appliances are the second-largest import line from China in the data. Most machinery is freely importable, but you must check the policy for your exact 8-digit code, and some machines are covered by BIS quality control orders.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
Machinery and mechanical appliances are the second-largest import line from China in the data. Most machinery is freely importable, but you must check the policy for your exact 8-digit code, and some machines are covered by BIS quality control orders.
In FY 2025-26, India's imports from China of machinery and mechanical appliances (HS chapter 84, heading 8479) were US$ 1,572.4 million, which is 38.1% of India's total imports of the same products (US$ 4,131.4 million), according to TradeStat.
How much does India import? FY 2025-26
| Product | 2024-25 (US$ million) | 2025-26 (US$ million) | Change | All countries, 2025-26 (US$ million) | Share from China |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 8479 | 1,535.5 | 1,572.4 | +2.4% | 4,131.4 | 38.1% |
Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.
India-side licences and registrations for machinery
| Licence | Issued by | Main official fee |
|---|---|---|
| IEC code (Importer Exporter Code) | DGFT, Ministry of Commerce | ₹500Checked on official page Source |
| DGFT import export licence | DGFT, Ministry of Commerce | ₹1,000Checked on official page Source |
| BIS registration for imports | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) | See BIS fee pageTo confirm Source |
| Legal Metrology importer registration | Legal Metrology, Department of Consumer Affairs | See Legal Metrology portalTo confirm Source |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay. Amounts marked To confirm could not be checked on an official page.
Policy check
DGFT's 2019 restricted list names nuclear reactors, their machinery, fuel elements and parts (heading 8401). Other machinery is not in the restricted or prohibited lists we read.
DGFT's lists we read: restricted imports (2019), prohibited imports (2019), export schedule (2021). Current policy: DGFT policy search. HS chapter details: Chapter 84: Machinery and mechanical appliances.
Trade agreement and certificate of origin
Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). APTA was first signed in July 1975 and has been in force since 1 November 1976. The revised agreement was signed on 2 November 2005. India and China are both members.
Goods that meet APTA rules can carry a preferential certificate of origin (₹600). Other shipments use the non-preferential certificate (₹200).
DGFT Appendix 2A: list of Free Trade Agreements and Preferential Trade Agreements
Steps for this route
- Get your IEC from DGFT (IEC guide). Fee ₹500.
- Register on ICEGATE and register your bank's AD code (AD code guide).
- Look up your 8-digit code and its policy on DGFT's search page.
- Ask your supplier whether the machine is covered by a BIS quality control order.
- If you import second-hand machinery, read the policy conditions for your code carefully.
- File the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE, pay customs duty and IGST, and clear the goods (import guide).