UK based freight forwarder, Mercator, has been shipping rugs from India since incorporation in the early 1990s. Today, we still have a number of customers who import rugs from India, Turkey and Nepal.
What to consider when Shipping Rugs from India to the UK
Incoterm
Before agreeing to any overseas purchase, get to know your Incoterms, and which best fits your needs. Typically when arranging LCL imports from India, we would recommend either Ex Works (EXW) or free on board (FOB). With EXW you, as the buyer, are responsible for the cargo from the seller’s door, including export customs in India, all the way to door in the UK. If you opt for FOB, then your seller will be responsible to complete export customs in India and deliver the goods to the vessel for shipping to the UK.
The Incoterm you opt for will depend on your appetite for what you are happy to organise (which in reality would be all in your freight forwarder’s hands) and how much the seller of the goods is quoting to complete export customs and haulage to the port.
If you were to choose an EXW term and appoint Mercator, we would handle the entire process of shipping from India for you from door to door in partnership with our agent in Mumbai, providing you with a seamless service and one point of contact.
Packaging for Shipping Rugs from India
An important point to consider when shipping rugs from India to the UK is the way in which the rolls are packed for shipping. Over the years, we have seen the best results and minimal issues when the rolls are palletised for shipping, particularly for LCL shipments. This would be an important aspect to negotiate when agreeing the purchase, and necessary information to clarify when obtaining a quote for shipping rugs from India to the UK.
Our team handled this LCL shipment of 68 rolls of hand tufted rugs from Nhava Sheva to Felixstowe for the UK importer (picture below). As this particular shipment was on FOB basis, Mercator handled the LCL sea freight, landing costs in the UK, customs clearance, payment to HMRC of the import VAT and duty, and delivery to the UK importer’s door.
LCL or FCL for Shipping from India
The volume of your shipment would usually dictate whether you utilise LCL or FCL (full container load) shipping. Less than container load shipping is very popular for consignments which do not necessitate a full container, however, it is important to consider a 20’ shipping container, which would typically fit 10-11 pallets depending on the size, could be a preferred option even if the shipment was as little as 7 or 8 pallets, which could be loaded in the dedicated shipping container as loose rolls, or as pallets.
FCL shipments can be preferable in terms of speed, less handling of the goods and sometimes more cost effective if over a particular size. Timings can be slightly shorter if shipping as FCL as the container would be loaded at the seller’s site, rather than at to co-loader’s warehouse, which can be delivered up to a week before sailing. Likewise, when the shipping container arrives in the UK, with LCL you would have to wait for it to be unpacked, whereas a FCL would be delivered directly to your door after customs clearance.
Transit Time for Shipping from India to the UK
Currently, transit times port to port from India to the UK are 35-40 days depending on loading port, and whether the shipping container transits or if it is a direct sailing. There are weekly sailings from most of the main ports in India. If the transit time looks tight for your timescales, or you require the goods much sooner, then air freight from India to the UK is a backup option, taking a matter of days.
Customs Clearance for Shipping Rugs from India
You will need to instruct your freight forwarder to complete your import customs clearance on behalf of your UK based company. To do this, they will require the commercial documents and clarification of the commodity code(s). Currently, import VAT on rugs from India is set at 20%. Import duty for rugs from India varies from 2-8% depending on how the rugs are manufactured and materials used.
Mercator is an HMRC approved AEO agent, so you can confidently appoint us to handle your customs clearances with the knowledge that we are an entity with high standards in tax and customs compliance, customs record keeping, practical standards of competence, and financial security.
To request a quote for shipping rugs from India, or any other commodity, get in touch with our team. We can be contacted by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or complete the form below and we will be in touch.
