Sourcing…
Why India
Importing packaging from India to the USA: what it costs and how it works.
India makes more corrugated boxes than any country except China and the United States, roughly 12 million tons a year, or about 7.7% of the world's output. For paper and paperboard packaging especially, its factories are established, used to exporting and competitively priced.
Global rank
3rd
corrugated box production
Annual output
~12 Mt
roughly 7.7% of global
Ocean transit
21–28 days
port to port
Production figures: IndexBox, India corrugated paper box market report, 2026.
India as a China alternative
Most US brands that buy packaging overseas started in China. For paper-based packaging, India has become the practical second source: similar quality on corrugated and folding cartons, factories that work in English, and a different tariff picture.
Got a sample from China you want matched? Send it over. We do that all the time.
One order, tracked from the factory floor to your dock.
One order, tracked from the factory floor to your dock.
- 01
Factory floor
India
Your order runs on a qualified line, usually in 14–21 days.
- 02
Quality control
AQL 2.5
We inspect during production and again before it ships. You get the photo report.
- 03
Export & freight
Port of loading
We book the forwarder and file your ISF.
- 04
Ocean transit
21–28 days
Port to port, then inland to you.
- 05
US customs & delivery
Licensed broker
Entry filed, and the goods land at your dock or FBA.
What about tariffs?
Duty depends on the material. Corrugated and paperboard come under HS Chapter 48. Flexible pouches with a plastic laminate usually come under Chapter 39, which has a different duty schedule, even when they look like paper.
We confirm the classification for each category with a licensed customs broker before we quote, and the duty is always included in your landed price.
HS Chapter 48
Corrugated, paperboard, folding cartons
HS Chapter 39
Flexible pouches with plastic laminate
What to expect
We'll be honest: buying from India takes more planning than buying locally. A first order takes 8–14 weeks, against 1–2 weeks from a US printer. Minimums are higher, and because tooling costs are spread across the run, small orders don't add up.
If you need 200 boxes next week, buy them locally. We'll tell you that straight out rather than quote you something that won't work.
Common questions
Is Indian packaging quality comparable to US or Chinese production?
For paper-based packaging, yes. Indian factories ship corrugated and folding cartons to buyers all over the world. Quality does vary from one factory to the next, which is exactly why we vet suppliers and inspect before anything ships.
How long does shipping from India to the US take?
By sea, 21–28 days port to port, plus inland transit and customs clearance. By air, 3–10 days, depending on the service.
Do I need an import license?
No. You'll need an EIN as the importer of record, but packaging doesn't need a special licence. We file the ISF and the customs entry through a licensed broker.
What's the minimum volume that makes India worth it?
Roughly 2,000 units or more for custom corrugated, or a full pallet of standard goods. Below that, freight and tooling eat into the saving.