Do you think sarees are popular only in India? Rethink! Saree lovers are everywhere, from Asia to the USA, UK, and Europe. However, they find it challenging to get their hands on indigenous sarees out of the Indian subcontinent. And the situation is somewhat similar for direct customers and saree-business owners. The ultimate solution for both is importing these garments from India.
So, below I will discuss all methods to import sarees from India with customers and businessmen in mind. Keep reading!
Can You Import Sarees from India?
The foremost question that hits us is, can you import sarees from India? Yes, you can! Customers can import specific saree pieces from Indian suppliers who ship sarees out of the country. Similarly, various business owners can import sarees in bulk from India for their boutiques or international stores.
Moving on, let’s discuss different ways of importing sarees from India.
What are the Ways to Import Sarees from India for Direct Customers?
Customers living in the USA, UK, etc. prefer shopping from Indian suppliers when it comes to buying indigenous sarees. They prefer Indian craftsmanship and the authentic saree manufacturing method.
But, what are the ways to import sarees from India? Here are the top three methods based on if the need is personal or business.
Personal Need – Buy Online for the Highest Convenience
Since the inception of online marketplaces, shopping has become a piece of cake for all of us. Like me, you will find it ridiculously simple to order indigenous sarees from India through shopping sites and get them delivered at your doorsteps.
Obstacles and Red Flags
However, some obstacles are defaming online saree shopping from India outside the country. You should know these red flags for a better importing experience from India. Have a look.
- Frauds are Prevalent
Mostly, online marketplaces falsely claim the best saree experience from India. Apart from scams, the non-reputed importing sites might supply fake sarees to you against heavy expenses.
- You Cannot Ignore the Cost Factor
When compared to physical outlets in foreign countries, you are likely to experience costly products online. Although importing sarees from India is highly convenient from these websites, they charge unusually more and might ruin your shopping spree.
- Presence of a Delay in Delivery
Regardless of the consignment size, they all undergo stringent formalities before getting exported to foreign countries from India. Consequently, they might get delayed before reaching you. So, if you are planning to wear authentic sarees on an upcoming occasion, consider the delay period and order accordingly.
Websites with Local Imports
However, not all sites offer such awful experiences. The best websites for online saree imports from India are as follows:
- eBay
eBay has numerous suppliers who import high-quality sarees from India to other countries worldwide. It’s one of my favorite saree importing sources from India. Here are some useful links for Indian exporters to the UK and Australia on eBay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252803339871
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165086289609
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334109308919
- Amazon
The giant marketplace, Amazon has several suppliers from India who export premium sarees to customers living across the borders. Here are some saree importers details for the US and UK businesses.
Chandrakala Traditional Unstitched Blouepiece
Vardha Banarasi Chiffon Wedding Stitched
Mirchi Fashion Traditional Bollywood Designer
Jaanvi Fashion Womens Mysore Printed Green
- Utsav fashion
Utsav Fashion is a leading name when it comes to buying imported Indian sarees, especially in the United States.
Personal Need – Buying Imported Indian Sarees from Local Stores and Boutiques
Did all the above challenges turn you off? Don’t worry. You can still buy indigenous Indian sarees outside the subcontinent from local stores dealing in imported garments.
Keep such boutiques and marketplaces on your radar. So, you can keep shopping for such garments whenever you feel or require draping an imported saree from India.
Now, you might have an idea of how to import sarees from India if you are a direct customer. However, the scenario is a bit different for business owners.
What are the Challenges Businesses Face when Importing Sarees from India?
Since you are a business owner, you will probably be looking for bulk imports from India. Although many people living outside India have established an effective saree import business, the newcomers might face some challenges.
Are you willing to launch a saree business imported from India? Here are some challenges that you should keep in mind if that’s the case.
- Finding a Suitable Source
The biggest challenge faced by importers when it comes to shipping sarees outside India is finding a suitable source. Mostly, the saree sources have a lack of either or more of the below characteristics.
- They might not agree to all exporting terms.
- They might not commit to your requirements.
- They might not remain available whenever you need them (time zone can be a challenge).
Now, you can estimate the need for selecting a reliable saree source in India for seamless business outside the subcontinent. You can approach local exporters in India to solve the source concern for you.
They generally operate a network of saree sources and can quickly find the right supply source for your business.
- Pricing Issues are Common
Negotiating with Indian sellers is tricky. You cannot discuss and fix anything over an email or phone call. You require to investigate the genuine saree import prices from India to your country before fixing the price points.
Apart from anything, language and time zone barriers are highly common when it comes to discussing a common price scheme. So, you might get a mediator living in India to find a reliable source for you and discuss the costs on your behalf.
- Losing Control on Quality
Importing sarees risks trading in low-quality products. This is more prominent when you have chosen a wrong or misleading saree supply source in India. Consequently, you will pay for improper consignments comprising degraded sarees from India.
Selling these garments in your store will defame your venture and push your customers away. So, you need to house a stringent quality control mechanism to avoid such mishaps. Appoint professionals who can judge the quality of expensive silk, Zari-work, and other sarees before importing them from India.
- Transport Complications
Transporting sarees from India to other countries is a challenge. Among all problems, freight delay and loss are the biggest issues when importing expensive and indigenous sarees from India.
So, you need to go for standard transport companies to ensure that sarees reach your land and you reliably and on time. You can either choose a third-party company or freight forwarding agencies out there. The choice is yours ultimately.
- Custom, Duties, and Tax Fees
Do you have an import budget? Have you considered customs, duties, and tax fees? No? Right here, things can get out of your hands.
Mostly, newbie importers forget appending tax fees in their budgets and end up landing on unplanned expenses. So, you should conduct thorough research on how legal taxing works from India to your country. Finally, you can include the additional prices in your budget and efficiently plan the import game.
- List the Originating Country
Not mentioning the country of origin on your bulk saree consignments might push you into legal trouble. So, responsibly mention the originating country on your import packages to stay on the safer side.
Apart from the country, you should prefer consignments with full addresses. So, ask your Indian suppliers to provide complete contact information on the packages before exporting them to your country.
- Paperwork is Headache
Without sorting out the paperwork, your business can go from roof to floor in the blink of an eye. I have seen numerous saree-business owners keeping paperwork on lesser priority and falling into grave trouble afterward.
So, before getting your hands dirty in saree importing from India, analyze what paper formalities your country expects you to fulfill. Complete everything and then launch your business to be on the safest side from a legal perspective.
So, these were the most common obstacles when importing sarees from India. You should stay alert and avoid falling into these pitfalls. Once you overcome these challenges, doing a bulk saree import business across Indian boundaries will become a piece of cake for you.
Now, let’s discuss the best part for you.
How to Import Sarees from India for Businesses?
Enough of discussing the challenges! Let’s walk through how to import sarees from India, especially when you own a business. You might be an absolute newcomer or wish to extend your saree business by including indigenous garments in your collection.
We have curated the steps to develop the best saree import business strategy for all of you. Let’s dive in, shall we?
- Business Registration is the First Step
You need to walk on the safest road from the very beginning of launching a saree import business outside India. So, begin by registering your venture. Since you are planning to step into the import business, declare your business before the government authorities appropriately.
- For the US business owners, you can fill out a form to get a Company Identification Number (CIN).
- Choose the type of your business among sole traders, limited company, and partnerships to register it with the UK government.
- Get Importer Licence for a Legal Business
Like exporters, importers also require getting a valid license from the government. You will require showcasing the importer license at different places during the entire life of your business.
Applying for an importer license and getting the documents might take some time depending on your country. So, apply for the license on time well before launching your saree business outside India.
Such a well-managed business will keep your venture covered from legal disputes at any point in time. Also, you can ensure your business through all such licenses for an enhanced surety.
- Saree imports of the UK should get an EORI number to get the venture registered as a trader.
- You can read the guidelines from CBP, USA to get more clarity about importing sarees to the US. Besides, you would require filling the CBP entry forms within 15 days of shipment arrival in the states.
- Analyze Saree Demand Around You
Does your brick-and-mortar-type business have Indian customers around? Do you get demand for indigenous sarees from customers living near your business? You have the green signal if answers to all these questions are yes.
You need to invest in some homework if you do not know enough about the demand for sarees around you. Survey customers to understand the performance of your business after including imported Indian sarees in your collection.
Also, you can promote the new range to Indian customers to get a boost in your sales. Although sarees have high demand in all parts of the world, it’s safe to proceed in import business only after getting a valid response from your customers.
- Get a Reliable Supply Source from India
I have already emphasized the importance of choosing a reliable supply source for your sarees from India. You need to seek a source having high-quality products and desirable consistency when it comes to shipping sarees according to your requirements.
Also, you will have to make the supplier prepared for your varying demand. What does that mean? It means you will require limited Indian sarees while you are new to the industry.
However, as you become a pro seller in your country with extensive demand from customers, you will require more and diverse sarees from India. Also, the import frequency will increase. Your supply source should remain prepared for such changes in the future.
- Understand the Import Policies of Your Exporter
Every exporter has different policies set for importers. They maintain stringent regulations to run a safe business across borders. So, you should spare enough time to understand the policies laid by your exporter before doing a healthy business.
This will give you enough time to prepare for additional paperwork and formalities before doing a full-fledged saree import business from India.
- Documentation from Port Authorities
It happens with the newbie business owners that they fall short of documentation and formalities. Where do they lack? They forget to consider port authority documentation before conducting a successful Indian saree business.
Also, the guidelines differ from one country to the other. So, reach out to your port authority to understand the paperwork and formalities in your country. This will help you manage a healthy business with sufficient legal support.
Businesses can get detailed import guidelines and rules for the US at FindLaw. The UK government gives more clarity on running a successful business for saree importers. You can scroll through the websites and make a note of all the regulatory steps needed to set up a hassle-free saree export business.
Apart from direct customers living outside India, indigenous sarees have wildfire-like popularity among international businesses. Since Indian sarees have demand outside the subcontinent, it’s the right time to start an import business and achieve skyscraping heights.
Saree business outside India is simple. All you need is to set up a well-planned business and manage paperwork before legal claims capture you. Also, you need to get the best supply sources before starting a business in the industry. So, what are we waiting for? Take Indian sarees to the international platform, capture more audience for your business, and become a successful importer in foreign lands.
