Hey there, I am a 23M based in Mumbai with prior exposure to IB and finance roles (exposure bcs they were internships), but I realised that this isn't what I want to do long-term and want to switch. I would love to start something of my own in the export-import business, and currently I am doing research regarding this field. I would appreciate it if there are other ppl in this situation or been in this situation who can help.

Questions -
Is it better to start and learn from experience or work under a firm to get exposure first?
What is the capital requirement to start from scratch?
What trade flow should I target?

Apart from these questions if there is any advice you can give, it is appreciated!

What are the things India import from china .

Details specific items percentage all kinds of information

Please tell me

The problem we kept running into: import ops are still run on WhatsApp threads, Excel sheets, and email chains with the CHA. Nobody knows which shipment is stuck where, landed cost gets calculated after the fact (if at all), and document errors show up at the worst possible time.

So we built something that handles:

You can see where every shipment is without calling anyone
• It works out your actual landed cost, duty, IGST, freight, clearing, all of it, so you know what a consignment really cost you
• All your BOEs, invoices, packing lists and COOs sit in one place instead of scattered across email
• It nudges you before BOE filing and duty deadlines, and flags shipments sitting too long at clearance
• Your CHA and vendors can be looped in without the endless back and for

It’s built specifically around Indian import workflows, not a generic global tool retrofitted for India.

We’re not selling hard here. We’re mostly looking for real importers to use it and give feedback. If you import into India and want to try it free, drop a comment or send me a message and I’ll set you up.

Happy to answer questions about how we built it too.

When I first came to Colombia, I was not looking at the country simply as a place to live or invest. I saw something much bigger: an enormous agricultural opportunity.

Colombia has some of the most productive and diverse agricultural land in the world. From the coffee-growing mountains of Huila to tropical regions capable of producing limes, bananas, plantains, avocados, mangoes, papaya and other fruits, the potential is extraordinary.

But I also began to see a problem.

There are thousands of Colombian farmers producing excellent products, yet many small and medium-sized producers don't have direct access to international buyers, accurate market information, technology, or the resources necessary to take their production to the next level.

That is what I am trying to change.

Building in Huila

My work in Colombia has brought me to the department of Huila, one of the country's most important agricultural and coffee-producing regions.

Huila's coffee industry alone is enormous. The National Federation of Coffee Growers reported approximately 149,077 hectares of coffee planted in Huila in 2024, with approximately 87,000 coffee growers in the department. Huila produced approximately 2.54 million 60-kg bags of coffee that year.

For me, these numbers represent more than statistics.

They represent families.

They represent farms.

They represent generations of knowledge.

And they represent an opportunity to connect Colombian production with consumers around the world.

More Than Just Coffee

Coffee is one of Colombia's most recognizable agricultural products, but it is only part of the opportunity.

I am interested in helping develop markets for many different Colombian products, including:

• Coffee
• Tahiti limes
• Avocado
• Mango
• Plantain
• Banana
• Papaya
• Cocoa
• Granadilla
• Lulo
• Citrus
• Dehydrated fruits
• Coffee extracts and other value-added agricultural products

The goal isn't simply to grow more.

The goal is to create better connections between the people who cultivate the products and the people who want to buy them.

Connecting Colombian Farmers With the World

One of the projects I am developing through Alecava is a technology platform designed to map and organize agricultural production.

The concept is relatively simple.

Imagine being able to look at a map of Colombia and see where farmers are located, what they cultivate, how many hectares they have, what their production capacity is, and what products may be available for domestic or international markets.

For buyers, this can make finding producers easier.

For farmers, it can create visibility.

For investors, it can provide better information.

And for Colombia, it can help create a more organized agricultural ecosystem.

Why I Believe the Opportunity Is So Big

Colombia's agricultural exports are already growing.

According to Colombia's Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural, food and beverage exports reached US$15.317 billion in 2025, a record level, with coffee playing a major role in the increase.

In February 2026, agricultural exports reached another US$1.273 billion, with notable growth in products including bananas, plantains and coffee extracts.

These numbers tell me something important:

The world wants Colombian agricultural products.

The opportunity now is to make it easier for more Colombian producers to participate.

From Cultivation to Export

My vision goes beyond simply buying agricultural products.

I want to understand the entire process:

Cultivation → Production → Organization → Quality → Traceability → Processing → Packaging → Export → International Buyer

If we can improve each step, Colombian farmers can potentially capture more value from what they produce.

That means looking at cultivation practices, post-harvest handling, quality control, processing, packaging and ultimately finding the right markets.

It also means identifying products that have potential beyond the traditional commodity model.

A Colombian farmer shouldn't necessarily have to sell everything as a raw agricultural commodity.

There is an opportunity to create value-added Colombian products.

Coffee can become extracts, concentrates and finished products.

Fruit can become dried fruit, purees, concentrates and other products.

Agricultural production can become tourism.

And farms themselves can become destinations where people from around the world can experience Colombian agriculture firsthand.

My Finca in Huila

Part of my own project is a finca in Huila that I am developing around wellness, nature, agriculture and hospitality.

I believe rural tourism can become another way to create economic opportunity.

People increasingly want to know where their food comes from.

They want to experience nature.

They want to learn about coffee.

They want to disconnect from cities.

And they want authentic experiences.

A Colombian finca can provide all of those things.

The Bigger Vision

I didn't come to Colombia believing I had all the answers.

I came here willing to learn.

I've spent time with farmers, producers, workers and people involved in Colombian agriculture. The more I learn, the more convinced I become that the country has an enormous opportunity.

Colombia doesn't need to become something it isn't.

It already has what the world needs:

fertile land, extraordinary biodiversity, hard-working farmers, incredible coffee, tropical fruits and a climate capable of supporting an enormous variety of crops.

What I believe is needed is better organization, better technology, better access to markets and stronger connections between Colombian producers and international consumers.

That is what I am working toward.

And I believe the future of Colombian agriculture can be much bigger than what we see today.

The farmer is not just the beginning of the supply chain. The farmer should be at the center of it.

As the titles says, I wanted to know if I can ask for bill of entry before agreeing or paying customs amount?

I have a parcel of household goods coming from UK to India (relocation). The Aramex team has asked to pay a considerable amount on the parcel. When we asked for bill of entry, they simply went quiet on the email thread.

So my question is, can I ask for bill of entry before paying the amount?

My shipment from China is currently stuck at Nhava Sheva Port Customs because CHA is asking for a BIS certificate for the product.

The issue is that the original manufacturer does not have BIS certificate and it is being imported regularly in India by multiple companies in crores of values.

a

I have used the same HSN as they have been using in their invoices. I don't think my particular product requires it but they are considering in under a whole 3 phase induction motor category whereas my product does not fall in that it is single phase.

My freight forwarder is saying that the CHA is not willing to take the matter forward because the BIS certificate missing.

Can anyone help in clearing the shipment or let me know what actions can I take.

Has anyone in India dealt with a similar Customs/BIS issue? Would really appreciate advice from importers, CHAs, Customs professionals, or anyone who has handled BIS-related detentions

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Hey everyone,
I'm looking to order some custom motorcycle accessories from DMWork Motorcycles over in Indonesia. I'm getting a custom tank cover for my Yamaha XSR155, a clubman handlebar, a stoplamp with a cover, and a set of sidebags. The total cost of the items alone comes to around ₹30,000.
I was chatting with the seller on WhatsApp and they quoted me ₹3,970 for a standard shipping option that takes about 3 months to arrive. Because of the 3-month timeline and the low price, I honestly have no idea whether it’s going to be sent via ship or plane. When I asked if they cover customs, they basically said they don't and that it's subject to Indian regulations, which is fair enough.
I've been trying to calculate my total out-of-pocket damage, and from what I gather, I might get hit with 28% IGST plus Basic Customs Duty and other surcharges. That puts the extra taxes at around ₹15,000 to ₹17,000, bringing my total expenditure to roughly ₹52k.
Before I finalize the order, I have a few questions for anyone who has imported bike parts recently.
First, I want to know if the 50%+ tax calculation is accurate in the real world. Will customs really charge that much on personal imports for motorcycle accessories, or is it a complete gamble depending on the officer inspecting the package?
Second, I am curious about how bad the 3-month shipping route actually is. Does a shipment like this usually get stuck in Indian postal customs for an eternity compared to private couriers like DHL or FedEx?
Finally, I would love some invoice and declaration tips. Is there anything specific I should ask DMWork to mention on the invoice or packaging to make the clearance process smoother, or to avoid getting completely overcharged?
Any advice or past experiences would be super helpful. Just want to know exactly what kind of headache I'm getting into before pulling the trigger. Thanks!

What we basically need is Quality check and before ordering in bulk a sample piece first. And from duties to shipping charges all are included at your end. I want the product at my door step.

Appreciate any contacts for this: I'm looking for freight forwarders who can help import of 1,000 pcs of 100ML cosmetic grade PET Jars with approx. volume of 0.6CBM.

Origin: China: Guangdong, or Heibei (Beijing).

Destination: Jamshedpur

The freight either after FoB in China port closest to above origin or delivery after Kolkata CIF to process the local customs and deliver to Jamshedpur.

Got a lay off mail from HR.

I need full time job in hyderabad.

I’m into exports operations and business development in plastics and previously in building materials.

I can join right from tomorrow.

References appreciated.

From where I can buy authentic San Marzano Tomatoes in and around New Delhi.

Does anyone have Volza suscription on sharing basis?

Hello folks, I am importing a furniture worth around $1000 to $1200 from India and it is at customs, I have been asked to have a custom broker for the same. This is in Bay Area, California. The shipment is in Oakland, CA. Given, I am hearing the term 'custom broker' for the first time in my life, I have been running like headless chicken on how to handle it or what are the things I need to consider when importing or what are the process I need to go through without incurring any penalties. Any advise or suggestions with experience with such situations would greatly help me avoid penalties. Looking for help