The cost to import machinery from India is the FOB figure plus freight, insurance, import duty and taxes, port and clearance charges, inland transport and installation. The FOB figure from the maker is often the smaller part of what you finally pay for heavy machinery.
We do not publish prices or rates. This article lists each layer so that you ask the right questions and build a landed cost you can trust.
What does the FOB figure cover?
FOB (free on board) means the maker delivers the goods loaded onto the ship at the Indian port. It includes the machine, export packing, inland transport to the port and Indian export clearance. It excludes ocean freight, insurance and everything after.
A machine's FOB figure should also state what is inside: accessories, spares, testing and documents. FOB, CIF or DAP explains how the term moves cost and risk between you and the seller.
How is heavy machinery shipping cost decided?
Freight for heavy machinery depends on how the machine travels. A machine that fits a standard container is the cheapest case. Oversize machines go on flat-rack or open-top containers, or as break-bulk cargo, which costs more and needs more planning.
The factors that move the freight quote are:
- Dimensions and weight, including the heaviest single lift at the port.
- Container type, because flat-rack and open-top space is scarcer than standard boxes.
- Route and season, which change available space and surcharges.
- Lashing, blocking and bracing, which a surveyor may need to approve for heavy or high-value units.
What do insurance, duty and local charges add?
Marine cargo insurance is usually set as a percentage of the insured value, and cover terms matter more than the premium. Read insurance for machinery shipments before you accept the cheapest policy.
Import duty and taxes depend on the commodity code and on your country. Duty on machinery varies by country and by machine, and can change, so check the current rate with your customs broker or tariff authority. Import duties on Indian machinery shows how to find it. Add port handling, clearance fees, inland haulage and, if needed, the cost of cranes and riggers.
Do not forget installation and commissioning
Installation, foundations, electrical connection, test running and operator training often sit outside the machine quote. If the maker sends an engineer, ask who pays for travel, accommodation and time.
Spare parts and warranty terms also belong in your landed cost, because a machine that stands idle waiting for parts is costing you money.
Build the landed cost in a simple table. List FOB, ocean freight, insurance, duty and taxes, port and clearance charges, inland haulage, and installation, then fill each line with a quote or a written estimate from the person responsible for it. Keep a contingency line for demurrage and storage if the machine arrives before your site is ready. A table like this also shows which costs are fixed and which depend on your own timing.
Next step
We find and audit machinery makers, supervise testing, packing and loading, and help you line up each layer in writing. For a landed-cost view based on your machine and port, book a free sourcing review.