Question 1

What trade deal applies when I import from India to South Korea?

Accepted Answer

The India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in force since 2010, covers trade between the two countries. Under this agreement, South Korea is eliminating or reducing duty on around 90% of Indian goods. Textiles, engineering goods, and jewellery enjoy preferential access. To qualify for these lower rates, Indian goods must meet the CEPA's rules of origin, which Sauda can help you navigate.

Question 2

What are the best products to import from India to South Korea?

Accepted Answer

India has deep manufacturing capacity across many categories. Some of the strongest export categories for South Korean buyers include bed linen, apparel, auto components, specialty chemicals, and fashion jewellery. Many of these fall under CEPA preferential tariff lines, meaning you can land them in South Korea at significantly reduced duty rates compared to non-CEPA origins.

Question 3

Is there a minimum order quantity, and can I get samples first?

Accepted Answer

Minimum order quantities (MOQs) vary by product and factory. Textile and apparel suppliers may accept orders as low as a few hundred pieces, while auto component or chemical manufacturers often set higher minimums. Most Indian factories are willing to send paid samples before a bulk order. Sauda negotiates MOQs and sample terms on your behalf so you can evaluate quality before committing.

Question 4

How do I pay an Indian supplier safely?

Accepted Answer

The most common payment methods for Indian exports are telegraphic transfer (T/T), letters of credit (L/C), and escrow services. For first orders, many buyers use a letter of credit to protect both sides. A typical structure is 30% advance via T/T with the balance against a copy of the bill of lading. Sauda helps you agree on payment terms that balance security with supplier expectations.

Question 5

What are the typical shipping times and logistics from India to South Korea?

Accepted Answer

Sea freight from major Indian ports (Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Mundra) to Busan or Incheon typically takes 12 to 20 days depending on the route and whether the shipment is direct or transshipped. Air freight takes 2 to 4 days for urgent or high-value orders. Sauda can connect you with freight forwarders experienced in the India-Korea corridor and help coordinate documentation, including the CEPA Certificate of Origin needed for preferential duty rates.

Question 6

Is Sauda really free, and how does it verify Indian suppliers?

Accepted Answer

Sauda is completely free for buyers. You pay nothing at any stage. We act as your concierge, finding factories that match your requirements, contacting and calling them directly, negotiating pricing, and returning the cheapest live quotes within 24 hours. Before presenting any supplier, we check their GST filings and returns to confirm they are real, active, and tax-compliant. This verification process means you only deal with genuine, compliant Indian factories.

	India	China	Vietnam
Import duty	Zero or reduced (India-Korea CEPA)	Reduced (China-Korea FTA)	Reduced (Korea-Vietnam FTA)
Typical MOQ	Smaller and flexible	Higher, often thousands	Moderate to high
Communication	English-speaking factories	Often via agents or translators	Improving, varies
Lead time	Competitive, varies by category	Fast, mature logistics	Competitive
Best known for	Textiles, leather, chemicals, engineering	Large-scale, electronics, machinery	Apparel and footwear assembly

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