How to Import Ceramic Tiles from India

Start with the size, not the supplier

Before contacting anyone, work out the area you need in square metres and the sizes you want (300×300, 600×600, large-format 800×1600 and up are all common). Tile suppliers quote per square metre or per box, and box coverage varies by size — get that number first and every quote you receive afterwards will actually compare like for like.

FCL, mixed container, or something smaller

A full container load (FCL) — a 20ft or 40ft box loaded entirely with your order — gets the best per-unit price, because the exporter isn't sharing freight or paperwork with anyone else. Below that, some exporters will fill a mixed pallet or consolidate your tiles with another buyer's order in the same container; ask directly, since not every supplier offers it, and pricing is naturally higher per unit.

If you're also sourcing sanitary ware, pipe or other building materials, ask whether they can go in the same container as your tiles. Tiles are heavy and don't fill a container's volume before they hit its weight limit, so lighter goods on top of a tile load is a common, cost-effective way to fill out a shipment.

What to ask for before you pay a deposit

Physical samples, not just photos — colour and texture read differently on screen.
Batch test data: water absorption, breaking strength, dimensional tolerance. A supplier who tests every batch should have this ready without you having to push.
Packing specification: carton weight, pieces per box, pallet configuration — this affects both freight cost and breakage risk.
A firm production and shipping timeline, not just one or the other.

Documentation to expect

A standard tile export shipment travels with a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and a bill of lading once it's loaded. If your country requires additional certificates (phytosanitary, fumigation for wooden pallets, or destination-specific import permits), confirm this with your supplier early — it's far easier to arrange before the container is packed than after it's at sea.

Incoterms: know what you're actually paying for

FOB (Free On Board) means the exporter's responsibility ends once the goods are loaded on the ship at the origin port — you arrange and pay for the ocean freight and insurance from there. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) means the exporter arranges and includes freight and insurance in their quote, up to your destination port. Neither is universally "better" — it depends on whether you already have a freight forwarder relationship, or would rather have one quote that covers the whole journey. See our FOB vs CIF explainer for the detail.

Where Eternal Overseas fits in

We manufacture and export ceramic tiles, sanitary ware and related building products from Morbi. If you're working through this process for the first time, our export team can walk you through sizing an order, container options and documentation for your specific destination — see our export overview or get in touch.

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Frequently asked questions

What's a reasonable minimum order for a first-time buyer?

Most Morbi exporters can fill a mixed pallet for a trial order, but pricing is usually best from a full container (FCL). If you're testing a new market, ask your supplier what they can do below FCL before assuming you need to commit to a full load.

How long does the whole process take, from order to delivery?

Production and packing typically run a few weeks depending on the order size, plus ocean transit time to your port. Ask for a combined estimate — production time and shipping time together — rather than just one or the other.

Do I need to visit the factory before ordering?

Not for most orders. Ask for physical samples, recent batch photos, and if it's a large first order, consider a third-party pre-shipment inspection rather than travelling.

How to Import Ceramic Tiles from India: A Buyer's Guide