How to Lease Space in an FTWZ in Mumbai: Step-by-Step Guide

Containerised trade is still being done through the Mumbai Port with continued activity. In 2024, over 7.3 million TEUs moved through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority(JNPA), as evidenced by the new record set by the Authority, thus confirming it is a Gateway where vast quantities of import and export traffic from around the world go through Mumbai.  For businesses that are looking for an efficient, compliant, and cost-effective way to store their products, using an FTWZ in Mumbai will make a significant difference. This blog post provides information on how to lease space in the FTWZs, the steps, requirements, expenses, and practical information needed to make informed decisions regarding your FTWZ space leasing.

What Is an FTWZ in Mumbai — and Why It Matters

A Foreign Trade Warehouse Zone, commonly referred to as FTWZ, is a facility that has received notification from customs to accept goods without duties when they are imported (or are expected to be imported) and stored, processed and shipped out of that area. It provides its users, such as businesses that export and import products, with two major advantages; these are: 

1) its location near ports of entry and/or port-related infrastructure, and
2) a convergence of consumers and companies looking for warehousing services.

Due to Mumbai’s role as a hub for international shipping, an FTWZ in Mumbai allows importing and exporting companies to minimise transit time from the dock to the FTWZ, streamline their processes and defer payment of any duties until the company has either sold the imported product in India or re-exported it after it has been processed at the FTWZ.

How to Lease Space in an FTWZ in Mumbai — Step by Step

1. Assess Storage and Compliance Needs – Identify the type of goods you want to store in FTWZ (raw materials, finished goods, regualted goods, hazardous materials, perishable goods, higher-value good) as well as the volume of goods you want to bring into the FTWZ in Mumbai and how seasonally they fluctuate in your business, and what handling conditions (temperature control, special packaging, SKU-wise storage, secure vault, etc.) to consider when selecting a location.  
2. Choose FTWZ in Mumbai – Assess the proximity of the FTWZ to port/port-terminals (for example, Port of Mumbai and JNPA/Nhava Sheva) and the level of road/rail connectivity available at that FTWZ, the security of the facility, and the type of infrastructure it provides (racking/Climate Control/ Bonded Customs Facility). Proximity to port and/or port terminals will be very beneficial, as a closer proximity will ultimately shorten your lead times and logistics costs. 
3. Submit Business & Goods Profile – Submit the KYC information, GST number (if applicable)/IEC number and the profile of goods you will be bringing into the FTWZ in Mumbai with their description, HS codes for the products and any regulatory classification for those products, projected storage volume (the amount of square footage and weight you anticipate needing), your estimated handling requirements and how frequently you will need to store and retrieve these products from the FTWZ to the FTWZ operator. 
4. Commercial Proposal to FTWZ in Mumbai- Most FTWZ Commercial Proposals will include breakouts of costs for storage (e.g. charge by pallet/cubic meter/square foot), handling/processing charge (inbound, outbound, value added services for example), and Customs-related documentation charges, as well as the length of the storage agreement and the SLAs; breakdown of these charges on the Commercial Proposal will enable you to calculate and compare to determine the costs/benefits of using the FTWZ.
5. Sign Lease/Warehousing Agreement- The leasing/warehousing agreement consists of an outline of the warehouse area, time period for lease, responsibilities for storage, handling customs compliance, insuring goods, and exiting or renewing the w/hrs Agreement. A professional operator such as OSV FTWZ uses standardised contracts that comply with FTWZ, which makes it easier to complete the Onboarding of an International Recipient.
6. Customs Onboarding & First Shipment Entry- When the first import (or initial stock) arrives, Customs bonding begins (documents, register duty-deferment, submit Customs Declaration). After the Customs bonding has been completed, the product may be stored in the FTWZ. The operator typically assists with customs filings and clearance.
7. Ongoing Operations, Reporting & Compliance- Periodic updates and audits of inventories and inventory counts are performed, compliance with customs and duties as well as handling customer requests (i.e. returning product to export, providing domestic clearance, value-added services, and/or consolidating/deconsolidating) occurs regularly.

What Documents Are Typically Required

Operators of FTWZ (Free Trade and Warehousing Zone) like OSV FTWZ provide pre-verified documentation templates/checklists that streamline this process so foreign clients can provide the below information:

• KYC documents: Company KYC documents (PAN, GST, CIN, IEC if importing/exporting).
• Contact/business details and names of authorized signatories.
• A detailed description of the goods: HS code, type of packing used and how the goods will require special handling (fragile/hazardous/pharmaceutical/electronic).
• Expected volume of goods stored, expected number of days goods will be in storage before being shipped and how often the stock will be rotated.
• For all regulated goods (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, luxury items, auto-parts, etc.) compliance-related documents (MSDS, certificates, licenses).
• For foreign clients doing re-exports, a passport/business license or registration certificate is required.

Why OSV FTWZ Is Often the Preferred Partner for Leasing in Mumbai

Although multiple FTWZ operators have warehouses within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, OSV FTWZ offers numerous benefits that make it a smart choice for FTWZ Space Lease in Mumbai.

• As it operates throughout India, including a facility in close proximity to Nhava Sheva/JNPA Container Ports, OSV FTWZ affords immediate access to container ports.
• While many FTWZ operators focus on certain types of goods (for instance, chemicals and luxury items), OSV FTWZ provides numerous types of products, including: electronics, auto parts, machinery, and medical devices, with dedicated temperature-controlled, secure, and compliant warehouse zones.
• While most FTWZ operators offer similar types of value-added services as OSV FTWZ (repackaging, relabeling, consolidation, cross-border re-export support, flexible warehousing, and deferred storage), OSV FTWZ provides additional financial and operational advantages by reducing cash flow and customs/duty burdens.

For businesses, especially importers/exporters/re-exporters, having a compliant infrastructure, including custom bonded warehouses, integrated customs support, SKU tracking, and adequate security and documentation processes, lowers complexity, enhances scalability, and creates regulatory peace of mind.

Conclusion 

Leasing space in an FTWZ in Mumbai has become a strategic choice for companies managing global supply chains, thanks to its duty-deferment benefits, port connectivity, and compliance-ready infrastructure. With the right operator, the process is streamlined—from assessing storage needs to customs onboarding and ongoing operations. OSV FTWZ stands out by offering scalable warehousing, multi-sector expertise, strong customs support, and a location advantage near JNPA. For businesses looking to optimise cost, efficiency, and regulatory control, choosing the right FTWZ partner in Mumbai can unlock long-term operational and financial value.