The Indian imitation jewellery market is exploding. Scroll through Instagram, and you will see "Korean Earrings," "Anti-Tarnish Necklaces," and "Zircon Sets" selling for ₹500 - ₹2,000. Most of this originates from two cities in China: Yiwu and Guangzhou.
However, this is not an easy category to import. The Indian government protects its local artisans (in Mumbai, Rajkot, and Jaipur) fiercely. The import duties are high, and customs officers are strict.
If you want to build a legitimate brand and not just a "fly-by-night" Instagram page, here is your roadmap.
1. The Sourcing Map: Yiwu vs. Guangzhou
China is not one big factory. You must go to the right city for the right product.
A. Yiwu (The "Volume" Hub)
Target Audience: Mass market, daily wear, college fashion, "Fast Fashion."
The Spot: Yiwu International Trade City, District 1. (Floors 2 & 3 are dedicated to jewelry).
Product Type: Alloy jewelry, resin beads, acrylic earrings, and hair accessories.
Pros: Incredible variety, low MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities), cheap pricing ($0.50 - $2.00 range).
Cons: Quality is "use and throw." Plating fades quickly.
B. Guangzhou (The "Premium" Hub)
Target Audience: Boutiques, "Anti-Tarnish" brands, Wedding guests, Office wear.
The Spot: Xijiao Building (The holy grail for stainless steel/copper jewelry) and Liwan Plaza (for crystals/stones).
Product Type: Stainless Steel (316L), PVD Coated Gold (Anti-tarnish), Micro-pave Zircon, Brass jewelry.
Pros: Looks like real gold/diamond. Long-lasting polish.
Cons: Higher prices ($3.00 - $15.00 range), higher MOQs.
C. Qingdao (The "Factory" Hub)
Target Audience: High-end brands sourcing Brass/Copper base metal jewelry.
Specialty: This is where the factories are. Yiwu and Guangzhou are often just showrooms. Go here only if you are ordering 1,000+ pieces per design.
2. The "Duty" Nightmare: Do the Math Before You Buy
This is where 80% of new importers fail. They calculate the product cost but forget the landing cost.
As of the 2024-25 Policy, Imitation Jewellery (HS Code 7117) is heavily taxed to discourage cheap imports.
The Duty Structure:
Basic Customs Duty (BCD): 25% OR ₹600 per Kg (whichever is higher).
The Trap: If you import lightweight, cheap earrings worth ₹20,000 but they weigh 5kg, the duty isn't just 25% of value. Customs might apply the flat rate of ₹600/kg if they deem the value "too low."
Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS): 10% of BCD.
IGST: 3% (Specifically for HS 7117).
The "Valuation" Risk: Indian Customs does not trust invoices from China. If you declare a shipment of 10kg jewelry at $20 (approx ₹1600), they will reject it. They have a "Reference Price" (Valuation Alert). They may reassess your goods at $10 - $15 per kg and charge duty on that amount, not your invoice amount.
Pro Tip: Always import high-value, low-weight items (like Zircon/Stone jewelry) to make the logistics cost per piece negligible. Importing heavy beaded necklaces will kill your margin due to per-kg shipping and duty costs.
3. Logistics: Courier vs. Cargo
Jewellery is a "Fashion" business. Trends change in weeks. You cannot afford Sea Freight (45 days transit) unless you are a massive wholesaler.
Air Cargo (Door-to-Door):
This is the standard for 90% of importers.
Cost: Approx ₹800 - ₹1200 per kg (includes shipping + clearing + duty handling).
Warning: Many "agents" offer "all-inclusive" rates. Ensure they are clearing goods legally. If they get caught under-invoicing, your goods will be seized.
Official Courier (DHL/FedEx):
Best for sampling or high-value, small shipments.
Downside: They are 100% by the book. You will pay full duty, and they will ask for KYC and proper HSN classification.
4. Compliance: BIS and Lead/Nickel
BIS Standards: Currently, BIS is mandatory for Gold/Silver. However, the government is drafting Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for imitation jewelry to check for heavy metals (Lead, Nickel, Cadmium) which are harmful to skin.
Export Quality: If you plan to re-export this jewelry to Europe/USA, you must buy "Nickel-Free / Lead-Free" jewelry. Yiwu suppliers often mix lead to make the metal cheaper. Explicitly ask for "Reach Compliant" materials.
5. Action Plan: How to Start
Start with "Anti-Tarnish": The Indian market is bored of cheap golden plastic. The current trend is PVD Coated Stainless Steel. It is waterproof, sweatproof, and hypoallergenic. Sourcing hub: Guangzhou.
The "Sample" Strategy: Do not order 500 pieces. Order a "Sample Mix" of 50 pieces. Test them in Indian humidity. If they turn black in a week, you just saved yourself a fortune.
Use an Agent: You cannot buy directly from Yiwu markets online (Alibaba is often mostly traders). You need a sourcing agent in Yiwu/Guangzhou who can:
Consolidate orders from 5 different shops.
Check Quality (Count pieces, check for broken stones).
Repackage to save volume weight.
Ship to India handling customs.