Question 1

What components make up the landed cost when importing from India?

Accepted Answer

Landed cost includes the factory unit price (typically quoted FOB or Ex Works), international freight (sea, air, or multimodal), cargo insurance, import duties and tariffs in your destination country, customs brokerage and clearance fees, port handling and terminal charges, local inland delivery from port to your warehouse, and any applicable taxes such as GST at the Indian end or VAT/sales tax at the destination. Each component can vary significantly depending on the product, Harmonized System (HS) code, shipping mode, and trade agreements between India and your country.

Question 2

Why is the cheapest unit price not always the cheapest landed cost?

Accepted Answer

A factory offering the lowest per-unit price may be located far from a major port, adding inland haulage costs. It may also use bulkier or heavier packaging that increases freight charges, or produce goods under an HS code that attracts a higher duty rate in your country. Quality issues can lead to rejected shipments, rework, or returns, which add hidden costs. The true comparison between suppliers only becomes clear when you calculate the full landed cost for each quote. This is why starting with verified, negotiated factory quotes (as Sauda provides) matters: you get a reliable base price and can then layer on logistics costs for an accurate comparison.

Question 3

Can trade agreements reduce import duties on goods from India?

Accepted Answer

Yes. India has preferential trade agreements with several countries and blocs, including ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, and others. If your country has such an agreement with India, certain product categories may qualify for reduced or zero duty rates, provided the goods meet rules-of-origin requirements and are shipped with the correct certificate of origin. Always check your country's customs tariff schedule and confirm the applicable HS code before estimating duty savings. For buyers in countries without a trade deal with India, standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates apply.

Question 4

How does Sauda verify Indian suppliers before sending quotes?

Accepted Answer

Sauda checks each supplier's GST filings and returns to confirm the business is actively registered, tax-compliant, and operational. This helps filter out inactive firms, shell entities, or suppliers with compliance red flags before a quote ever reaches you. Sauda's team then contacts and calls the factory directly to confirm pricing, capacity, and lead times, so the quotes you receive are live and verified rather than outdated catalog listings.

Question 5

Is Sauda free for buyers, and how does it make money?

Accepted Answer

Sauda is completely free for buyers. There are no subscription fees, no per-quote charges, and no commissions deducted from your purchase. Sauda earns from the supplier side, so its incentive is to connect you with genuine, competitive factories. You can reach Sauda on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/9987549010, describe what you need, and receive the cheapest verified live factory quotes within 24 hours at no cost.

Question 6

How can I estimate freight costs from India to my country?

Accepted Answer

Freight costs depend on the shipping mode (sea freight is cheapest for large volumes, air freight for urgent or lightweight shipments), the origin port in India (Mumbai, Chennai, Nhava Sheva, and Mundra are major hubs), the destination port, cargo volume or weight, and current market rates. For sea freight, costs are typically quoted per container (20-foot or 40-foot) or per cubic meter for less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments. Request quotes from at least two or three freight forwarders, and factor in port handling charges (often called Terminal Handling Charges or THC) at both ends. Rates fluctuate seasonally, so get updated quotes close to your planned shipping date.

How to Calculate the Landed Cost of Importing from India

How Sauda gets you the cheapest quote

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