India trade,
handled properly.
Freight to and from India is the easy part. It is the cross-border requirements that trip businesses up. That is exactly where we specialise, and where we have worked for years.
Why it matters
The hard part isn't the shipping.
Freight to and from India is the easy part. It’s the cross-border requirements where businesses falter.
Tariff structures, food safety rules, documentation, rules of origin. Get one wrong and cargo sits at the border. We study those requirements before your goods move, so they don’t.
Where shipments get stuck
- Rules of origin: proving goods qualify for FTA rates
- Duty and tariff calculation: landed cost before you commit
- Customs clearance: both ends, one team
- Food safety and compliance: India-side documentation
The opportunity
What the FTA means for you
Signed 27 April 2026 and now moving through ratification. It is not yet in force, and that is the point: the businesses ready on day one are the ones who prepared during the window.
95%
Of NZ exports
Tariffs eliminated or sharply cut. Sheep meat, wool, coal and forestry duty-free from day one.
Day 1
Duty-free imports
Tariffs on Indian goods into New Zealand removed the day the Agreement takes effect.
48h
Faster borders
India Customs to clear standard cargo within 48 hours, express and perishables within 24.
Figures sourced from MFAT. All benefits are conditional on the Agreement entering into force. This page covers the commercial opportunity only.
Our standing on the lane
Not new to India
Long before the FTA made headlines, we were moving cargo on this lane and solving the India-side problems that trip most forwarders up.
Our own office in India
Full-time Sneddens staff in Haridwar working across operational processes and customer care.
Network across major cities
Representatives in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other key hubs, supporting freight at both ends.
Among the biggest FCL movers
High-volume container movement on the NZ-India lane in both directions.
Real cargo, real lane
What we move
A snapshot of goods already crossing this lane with Sneddens.
- Mānuka Honey
- Machinery
- HMS1
- HMS2
- Scrap metal
- Copper
- Copper
- OCC
- Scrap plastic
- Steel
- Farming Equipment
- Furniture
- Dry food stuffs
- FMCG
- Textiles & garments
- Organic food
- Scrap paper
- Precious metals
- end of life tyres
- Packaging
One team, both sides of the border
↗ Exporting to India
- FTA readiness: which tariff lines benefit, and when
- Rules of origin assessment and documentation
- Sea, air, FCL, LCL and breakbulk
- Guidance on India import requirements and food safety
- Tariff and duty calculation
↘ Importing from India
- Landed cost modelling under the new duty-free regime
- Tariff classification and customs clearance
- Supplier sourcing guidance
- Biosecurity and MPI compliance
- Consolidation and delivery across NZ
One point of contact from start to finish. Speak to our India trade specialists.
Why Sneddens
No hidden costs
Transparent, accurate quotes. No nasty surprises at the border.
Global alliances
Part of major freight alliances, so you get more options and agents.
Customs brokerage
Licensed, experienced brokers handling clearance at both ends.
Quality control
Agents on the ground to protect importers' investments.
Storage & distribution
Accredited 3PL at our Auckland Airport warehouse.
Always working
Our team keeps freight moving so yours doesn't wait.
Indicative rates
Current pricing on request
Freight rates on the India lane move with the market. For live pricing on your specific shipment, talk to us directly.
Auckland / Tauranga / Christchurch ⇄ Nhava Sheva
Get a free quote
Tell us what you’re moving and we’ll come back with pricing on your specific shipment.
The window is open
The FTA is signed. Get ahead of it.
A readiness conversation now costs nothing. Scrambling after day one costs margin.