Six Reasons Why I Like Sourcing in India
India's top export categories are raw materials and industrial products such as oil, machinery, vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron, steel, and machinery.
Besides these commodities, you wouldn’t believe the intricacies of handcrafted products made of various materials such as metal, ceramic, wood, and textiles; apparel and fabrics; fashion accessories; leather products; and eco-friendly products that e-commerce sellers can import from India to sell online.
But there’s more India has to offer when you are considering selling its top-rated products; here are six of what I like when sourcing in India:
1. No Import Tariffs
As a result of the tariffs imposed by the US on products manufactured in China, many importers are looking to source products from alternative markets.
India is one of these alternative markets. The United States and India are not currently engaged in a trade war.
Even though India was recently removed from the list of developing countries with preferential access to the United States under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), this will not affect e-commerce sellers who import products from India.
This is because most of the products granted preferential access were industrial and chemical goods, which e-commerce sellers would not be imported.
2. Small MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities)
As a result of the fact that many items sold in India are handcrafted, vendors are typically willing to fulfill even relatively modest orders. Although the minimum order quantities for most products range from 200 to 500 pieces, many vendors are willing to accommodate orders of as few as 20 to 50 units (except for apparel and textiles).
They might charge a marginally higher price for less substantial orders. This is a huge benefit for sellers on Amazon, particularly if you are just starting out with a limited budget or an experienced seller who wants to test a new product line.
3. IP protection
Intellectual property protection has emerged as one of the most contentious issues in the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. However, if you choose to source your products from India, you won't have to be concerned about your supplier duplicating your designs and reselling them to other customers.
Compared to typical Chinese suppliers, Indian suppliers have greater regard for the intellectual property of their respective buyers. That does not mean that your intellectual property will never be stolen or compromised, but the likelihood of that occurring in India is significantly lower than in China.
4. English is Understood
Since English is the country's second official language, most of the people working for your supplier will be able to communicate with you in that language, albeit with varying degrees of fluency.
When it comes to communicating with your supplier, this is of great benefit, especially when you are developing or modifying a product to sell under your own private label.
5. Domestic availability of various raw materials
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Cotton, silk, jute, marble, metal, wood, bamboo, and many other raw materials are all easily accessible in India. In contrast, other countries like Vietnam rely on China as their primary source for importing such raw materials. Cotton is India's most widely grown crop, and the country is responsible for 26% of the world's total cotton production.
6. Unique Handcrafted Products
India's production of one-of-a-kind and handcrafted goods that cannot be found in other countries is one of the most important reasons to source from the country. India's suppliers emphasize design and frequently create, test, and introduce new products they have developed in-house.
The designs of the products that suppliers sell is guarded with extreme secrecy. Exhibitors at trade shows typically do not permit attendees to take photographs of their wares within their booths.
Additionally, there is a diverse selection of traditional handicraft techniques that are exclusive to the country.
For instance, the state of Rajasthan is known for its blue pottery, and the states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim in the east of the country are known for their cane and bamboo goods.
The ability of handcrafted goods to command higher prices and, as a result, offer more significant potential for financial gain is one of the benefits of selling these goods.
Whether you are a first-time private label e-commerce seller or a seasoned pro, India offers many unique and innovative products.
Or if you are tired of getting products from China with all its issues, perhaps it's time to consider India. Maybe it’s now time to stand out from the thousands of other Amazon third-party sellers who buy from China.
If you are interested in getting most out of sourcing from different countries, my company, Imprint Genius, can help you navigate and get the best products with the best deals. Click here for more details.
