How to Import Tiles from India — A Complete Buyer's Guide

Why India Is the World's Most Competitive Source for Tiles

If you are a property developer, interior designer, distributor, or retailer looking to source high-quality floor and wall tiles at competitive prices, India should be at the top of your shortlist. Morbi, a city in the state of Gujarat, is the world's second-largest tile manufacturing cluster after Foshan, China. Over 900 tile manufacturing units operate within a 50-kilometre radius of Morbi, producing approximately 850–900 million square metres of tiles per year — enough to cover significant portions of multiple countries.

What makes Indian tiles attractive globally is not just scale but variety and value. Indian manufacturers produce everything from standard 300×300 mm ceramic wall tiles priced at USD 1.50–2.50 per square metre to premium 1200×2400 mm Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) in marble and wood looks that rival Italian products at a fraction of the cost. Labour cost advantages, proximity to raw material sources (feldspar, clay, quartz), and continuous investments in European kiln technology have made India a reliable, high-value sourcing destination.

This guide walks you through every step of the import process — from identifying the right tile type to placing your first container order and receiving shipment at your port.

Types of Tiles Available from India

Understanding the product range is the first step before approaching any supplier. Indian manufacturers export the following main tile categories:

• Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiles: The most affordable category. Made from clay fired at lower temperatures (~1100°C), glazed on the surface. Water absorption is typically 3–7%. Best for indoor residential walls and light-traffic floors. Available in sizes from 200×300 mm up to 600×600 mm.
• Porcelain Tiles: Denser and harder than ceramic, fired at ~1250°C. Water absorption below 0.5%, making them suitable for outdoor use, wet areas, and heavy commercial traffic. Common sizes: 600×600 mm, 800×800 mm, 600×1200 mm.
• Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT): A vitrified body (extremely low water absorption) with a decorative glaze on top. Combines the durability of porcelain with high aesthetic versatility — available in wood, marble, concrete, and abstract digital print designs. One of India's fastest-growing export categories.
• Full Body Vitrified Tiles (PGVT / Double Charge): The colour and pattern runs through the entire body of the tile, not just the surface glaze. Extremely resistant to scratches and heavy wear. Ideal for airports, malls, hotels, and industrial flooring.
• Parking & Anti-Skid Tiles: Heavy-duty tiles with high slip resistance ratings. Used for driveways, car parks, outdoor pathways, and staircases.
• Elevation / Exterior Cladding Tiles: Designed for building facades. Weather-resistant, frost-proof (in applicable grades), and available in large slab formats.

You can explore TRION EXIM LLP's full tile product range on our Tiles page or browse all export products on the Products page.

How to Find a Reliable Tile Exporter in India

The Morbi cluster has hundreds of manufacturers and even more trading companies and brokers. Separating reliable exporters from unreliable ones is critical and requires a systematic approach.

IEC Verification: Any Indian entity legally exporting goods must hold an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Always ask for the IEC number and verify it at the DGFT website (dgft.gov.in). This takes two minutes and confirms the exporter is legitimate.

GST Registration: All registered Indian businesses must have a GSTIN. Request it and cross-verify on the GST portal (gst.gov.in). A legitimate manufacturer or exporter will have no hesitation providing this.

ISO and Quality Certifications: Look for ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management. For specific markets, check if products carry CE marking (Europe), BIS certification (for India-origin standards), or REACH compliance documentation (chemicals used in glazes — relevant for EU buyers).

Factory Visits vs. Sample Orders: If your order value exceeds USD 50,000, a factory visit or third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) is worth the investment. For smaller initial orders, request a paid sample set (typically 3–5 tiles per SKU) before committing to a full container. A supplier who charges a nominal amount for samples and deducts it from the first order is more serious than one offering free samples with no skin in the game.

Trade References: Ask for references from buyers in your region — UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK, Australia, or wherever you are located. A well-established exporter will have existing customers willing to vouch for them.

Requesting Samples — What to Check

When your sample tiles arrive, do not just look at them aesthetically. Run these practical checks before approving bulk production:

• Size Accuracy: Use a steel rule to measure actual dimensions. Indian standards allow ±0.5% tolerance in size and ±0.3 mm in thickness. Place four tiles together on a flat surface and check for gaps or misalignment at joints.
• Finish Quality: Check the glaze under natural light at a 45-degree angle. Look for pinholes, crazing (fine surface cracks), colour inconsistency, and print registration errors (especially in digital-print GVT).
• Water Absorption Test: Weigh the tile dry, submerge it in water for 24 hours, then weigh again. The percentage increase indicates water absorption. For porcelain and GVT, this should be below 0.5%. For ceramic, below 7%.
• Slip Resistance: For floor tiles, request the COF (Coefficient of Friction) test report. A COF of 0.6 or above (dry) and 0.4 or above (wet) is the standard for commercial and residential floors in most markets.
• Breaking Strength: For floor tiles, minimum breaking strength should be 1300 N (for tiles larger than 90 cm²) per ISO 10545-4 standards.
• Shade Variation: Check the shade lot number (V1 to V4 per ISO standards). V1 is uniform appearance, V4 is heavy variation. For large projects, insist on V1 or V2 to avoid visible shade differences across the installation.

Understanding Tile Specifications

When reviewing supplier quotations, you will encounter specific technical terms. Here is what they mean:

Sizes: Expressed in millimetres (e.g., 600×600, 800×800, 600×1200, 1200×2400). The first number is width, the second is length. Large format tiles (1200 mm and above) require more careful packing and are heavier per box.

Thickness: Ranges from 6 mm (thin wall tiles) to 10–12 mm (standard floor tiles) and up to 20 mm (outdoor pavers). Thickness affects weight per square metre and therefore freight cost.

Finish Types: Matt (low sheen, hides scratches), Glossy (high reflectivity, shows fingerprints), Satin/Sugar (mid-sheen with slight texture), Lappato (semi-polished, combines aesthetics with some anti-slip), and High Gloss Polished (mirror finish, for premium applications).

PEI Rating: The Porcelain Enamel Institute abrasion resistance rating (PEI I–V). PEI I is for wall tiles only. PEI III is for light residential floors. PEI IV–V is for commercial and heavy-traffic floors. Always match PEI rating to the application.

Coverage per Box: Most Indian tiles are packed 6–8 tiles per box for large formats, yielding 1.44–2.88 m² per box. Verify this, as it affects quantity calculations and packing list accuracy.

Export Documentation You Will Receive

A standard Indian tile export shipment comes with a set of documents required by customs authorities in both India and the destination country. Ensure your supplier provides all of the following:

• Commercial Invoice: States buyer, seller, product description, HS code, quantity, unit price, and total value. Must match your purchase order exactly.
• Packing List: Details number of boxes, gross weight, net weight, and dimensions of each carton. Required for customs clearance in all countries.
• Bill of Lading (B/L): Issued by the shipping line. This is the document of title — whoever holds the B/L controls the goods. For most transactions, a Telex Release or Sea Waybill is used for speed.
• Certificate of Origin (COO): Issued by the local Chamber of Commerce or Export Promotion Council. Essential for claiming GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) duty benefits in EU, UK, Canada, and other countries. For some markets (UAE, Saudi Arabia), the COO must be attested by the Indian Embassy.
• Quality/Inspection Certificate: Can be self-certified by the manufacturer or issued by a third-party inspection agency (SGS, TUV, Bureau Veritas). States that goods conform to specified quality parameters.
• Shipping Bill: The Indian customs export declaration. Your supplier must provide this as proof that goods were legally exported out of India.
• MSDS (if applicable): Material Safety Data Sheet — required for some markets when tiles contain specific chemical compositions.

Check our FAQ page for common documentation questions or contact our team for guidance specific to your destination country.

Choosing Your Incoterms — FOB vs CIF for Tile Imports

The Incoterm you agree on with your supplier determines who pays for freight, insurance, and who bears the risk of loss or damage during transit. The two most common terms for Indian tile exports are:

FOB (Free On Board) Mundra/Nhava Sheva/Chennai: The supplier is responsible for delivering the goods to the named port and loading them onto the vessel. From that point, you — the buyer — arrange and pay for ocean freight and marine insurance. FOB gives you more control over freight costs and carrier choice, and is generally cheaper if you have established freight relationships.

CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) [Destination Port]: The supplier arranges and pays for the freight and insurance to your destination port. The cost is included in the supplier's invoice price. CIF is simpler for first-time importers but offers less cost transparency — you are paying the supplier's freight markup.

For a first container of tiles from India, CIF is typically easier to manage. As your volumes grow, switching to FOB with your own freight forwarder can save 10–20% on total landed cost. Read our full guide: Incoterms Explained: FOB, CIF & CFR for Indian Export Buyers.

Shipping & Lead Times

Most Indian tile exports originate from the Morbi cluster in Gujarat. The closest major port is Mundra Port (operated by Adani Ports), approximately 100–120 km from Morbi by road. Mundra is one of India's largest container ports and handles significant volumes of tile exports to the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Some shipments also route through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) near Mumbai for buyers in the US and UK.

Typical Lead Times:

• Production & packing (if stock is not available): 10–20 days depending on quantity and design complexity
• Local trucking to Mundra port: 1–2 days
• Port processing and vessel loading: 3–5 days
• Sea transit to UAE/Oman/Saudi Arabia: 4–7 days
• Sea transit to East Africa: 12–18 days
• Sea transit to UK/Europe: 20–28 days
• Sea transit to USA (East Coast): 22–30 days
• Sea transit to Australia: 18–25 days

Container Loads: A standard 20-foot container holds approximately 18–22 metric tonnes of tiles (depending on tile thickness and packing), or roughly 1,000–1,400 boxes. A 40-foot container holds approximately double this quantity. Most export orders are priced by the container load (FCL — Full Container Load). LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments are possible but attract higher freight rates per unit.

Practical tip: Always add a 15% buffer to your target lead time when planning a project. Port congestion, vessel schedule changes, and customs delays are common in international shipping. Build this into your project timeline from day one.

Import Duties & Compliance in Your Country

Tile imports are subject to customs duties and sometimes anti-dumping duties in various markets. Before placing an order, confirm the following for your destination country:

HS Code: Ceramic and porcelain tiles typically fall under HS Chapter 69 (Ceramic products). The specific 8–10 digit code depends on tile type and size. The correct HS code determines the duty rate. Common codes include 6907 (unglazed tiles) and 6908 (glazed tiles).

Basic Customs Duty: Varies by country. UAE and GCC countries have a standard 5% customs duty on tiles from India under the existing trade framework. The EU has standard duties of 6–12% on tiles, though Indian exports often qualify for reduced rates under GSP. UK applies 0–6.5% post-Brexit depending on the product code. The USA applies 0–6% standard duties on tiles (HS 6907/6908) but check for any India-specific rulings.

GSP Benefits: India is eligible for Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) benefits in many importing countries, which can significantly reduce or eliminate import duties. A properly issued Certificate of Origin from India is required to claim GSP benefits. Note that the USA suspended India's GSP designation in 2019 — verify current status with a customs broker before planning your cost structure.

Anti-Dumping Duties: Some countries have imposed anti-dumping duties on tiles from certain countries. India-origin tiles are generally not subject to these measures in most markets, but always verify with a licensed customs broker in your country.

Standards Compliance: Many countries require imported tiles to meet specific technical standards. EU buyers should check CE and EN 14411 compliance. Australian buyers should check AS/NZS 4459 standards. Your supplier should be able to provide test reports from accredited laboratories confirming compliance.

Start Your Import Journey with TRION EXIM LLP

Importing tiles from India for the first time can feel complex — but with the right exporter-partner, the process is straightforward and repeatable. TRION EXIM LLP is a registered Indian exporter with IEC, GST, and MSME certifications, supplying export-grade tiles from Morbi's top manufacturers to buyers in over 100 countries.

We handle everything from product selection and sampling to documentation, quality inspection, and shipping on your preferred Incoterm (FOB, CIF, CFR, or EXW). Our trade desk responds to all inquiries within 24 hours.

Explore our tile product range, review our export process, or check common buyer questions on our FAQ page.