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Buyer guides for importing tiles from India

Practical, plain-English guidance for importers, distributors and private-label buyers, from the first specification to the container door. Written by our sourcing team, with technical points flagged for review.

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Reading paths

Start where you are

Not sure which guide to open first? Pick the stage that matches your project.

Planning

Preparing a first order

  1. How to Source Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles from India: An Importer’s Checklist
  2. Porcelain vs Ceramic vs Glazed Vitrified Tiles: A Buyer’s Guide
  3. How to Prepare a Tile RFQ: Sizes, Finishes, Quantities and Destination

Comparing

Choosing between suppliers

  1. Questions to Ask an Indian Tile Supplier Before Placing a Container Order
  2. How to Evaluate Tile Samples, Calibre, Shade and Packaging
  3. FOB vs CIF for Tile Importers: What to Ask Before Requesting a Quote

Shipping & brand

Shipping and own-brand ranges

  1. Tile Export Packing: Cartons, Pallets, Loading and Damage Prevention
  2. Private-Label Tile Sourcing in India: Practical Questions for Distributors

Glossary

Tile sourcing terms, in plain English

The words that appear on spec sheets, cartons and quotations, explained briefly. Standards are summarised for orientation; check the current edition before you rely on one in a contract.

Calibre
The size group a tile is sorted into after firing. Tiles shrink slightly and unevenly in the kiln, so factories measure and sort them by calibre; tiles from different calibres should not be laid together. The calibre is normally printed on the carton.
Shade (tone)
The colour batch of a production run. Shade can vary from run to run, so cartons carry a shade or lot code. Order, store and lay one shade per area.
Rectified edge
An edge ground square after firing for precise dimensions, which allows narrower grout joints. Non-rectified (pressed-edge) tiles keep their kiln edge and usually need wider joints.
Water absorption
The percentage of water a fired tile body takes up under test. It is the main basis for classifying tiles: ISO 13006 groups dry-pressed tiles from BIa (0.5% or less) to BIII (more than 10%). Lower absorption means a denser body.
Porcelain tile
A dense tile with water absorption of 0.5% or less (ISO 13006 group BIa; ANSI A137.1 uses the same limit in North America). It can be glazed or unglazed.
GVT
Glazed vitrified tile: an Indian trade term for a low-absorption vitrified body finished with a glaze, usually carrying a digitally printed design. Whether it may be sold as “porcelain” depends on tested absorption and the destination market’s definition.
PGVT
Polished glazed vitrified tile: a GVT whose glazed surface is polished after firing to a high gloss.
Lappato
A semi-polished finish. The surface is partly polished, giving a soft sheen between matt and full polish. Check slip resistance if it will be used on floors.
PEI rating
A class (0 to 5) for the surface abrasion resistance of glazed tiles, tested under ISO 10545-7 using a method that originated with the Porcelain Enamel Institute. Higher classes suit heavier foot traffic. Unglazed tiles are tested for deep abrasion instead.
R-rating
A slip-resistance class from R9 to R13 based on the shod ramp test, formerly DIN 51130 and now EN 16165 Annex B in Germany. Higher numbers mean more slip resistance. Other markets use pendulum or DCOF tests, which do not convert directly.
DCOF
Dynamic coefficient of friction, measured in North America under ANSI A326.3. A wet DCOF of 0.42 or more is the benchmark for level interior floors expected to be walked on when wet; it does not make a tile suitable for every project.
Incoterms®
The International Chamber of Commerce rules (current edition Incoterms® 2020) that define which party pays for and carries the risk of each stage of delivery. FOB, CFR and CIF are sea and inland waterway rules; FCA, CPT and CIP suit any mode, including containers.
MOQ
Minimum order quantity: the smallest quantity a factory will produce or sell per design, size or order, often expressed in square metres or containers. It varies by product and is confirmed at quotation.
FCL / LCL
Full container load (your goods alone in a container) or less than container load (sharing a container with other shippers). Tile orders usually ship FCL; LCL can suit samples or small trial quantities but involves more handling.
Pallet
The base on which tile cartons are stacked, protected, strapped and wrapped for loading. Wooden export pallets generally need ISPM 15 treatment and marking.

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Tell us your target size, finish, quantity and destination. We’ll come back with suitable options from our manufacturing partners in India. Availability, MOQ, lead time and specifications are confirmed at quotation.

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Sagar Thoriya, founder of Thorson Tiles

“I don’t see your enquiry as a one-time order. I want to be your long-term partner in tile buying.”

Sagar Thoriya, Founder, Thorson Tiles

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