Time
Live Business City Clocks
Business Hours Overlap
India: Mon–Sat 9:30 AM–6:30 PM IST | Germany: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CET/CEST
Germany (CET UTC+1, CEST UTC+2 in summer) is 4.5–3.5 hours behind IST. There is a comfortable 6-hour overlap. DST shifts Germany's clocks forward from late March to late October.
Germany (CET UTC+1, CEST UTC+2 in summer) is 4.5–3.5 hours behind IST. There is a comfortable 6-hour overlap. DST shifts Germany's clocks forward from late March to late October.
IST ↔ Germany Quick Reference
| 🇮🇳 IST | CET | CEST |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM IST | 3:30 AM CET | 4:30 AM CEST |
| 11:30 AM IST | 7:00 AM CET | 8:00 AM CEST |
| 1:30 PM IST | 9:00 AM CET | 10:00 AM CEST |
| 3:30 PM IST | 11:00 AM CET | 12:00 PM CEST |
| 6:30 PM IST | 2:00 PM CET | 3:00 PM CEST |
| 9:00 PM IST | 4:30 PM CET | 5:30 PM CEST |
Key Commercial Ports
🇮🇳 India
| Port | City | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNPT / Nhava Sheva | Mumbai | 24×7 | Primary port for German machinery & chemicals import |
| Chennai Port | Chennai | 24×7 | BMW & VW vehicle components; auto exports back to Germany |
🇩🇪 Germany
| Port | City | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Hamburg (HHLA) | Hamburg | 24×7 | Germany's largest port; 3rd busiest in Europe; primary gateway for Indian goods |
| Port of Bremen / Bremerhaven | Bremen | 24×7 | Europe's largest for vehicles; key for Indian auto exports |
| Frankfurt Airport Cargo | Frankfurt | 24×7 | Europe's busiest cargo airport; pharma, gems, high-value Indian goods |
* Most major international ports operate 24×7 for vessel operations; customs clearance and gate hours vary. Always verify with the port authority or your freight forwarder.
Top Traded Goods
🇮🇳 India Exports to Germany
- Pharmaceuticals & generics
- Engineering goods
- Apparel & garments
- Chemicals
- Leather goods
- Gems & jewellery
- Software services
🇮🇳 India Imports from Germany
- Machinery & industrial equipment
- Electrical & electronic goods
- Automobiles & components (VW, BMW, Mercedes)
- Chemicals & specialty chemicals
- Steel & aluminium
- Medical equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between India and Germany?
In winter (CET, late October–late March), India (IST, UTC+5:30) is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of Germany (CET, UTC+1). In summer (CEST, late March–late October), the difference narrows to 3 hours 30 minutes when Germany observes daylight saving time.
What are the best hours to contact Germany from India?
In winter (CET): Call 1:30–6:30 PM IST (9:00 AM–2:00 PM CET). In summer (CEST): Call 11:30 AM–6:30 PM IST (9:00 AM–4:00 PM CEST). Summer has a wider, more convenient overlap.
What German companies have major operations in India?
Major German companies in India include Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz (Chennai), Siemens, Bosch, BASF, SAP, Bayer, Lufthansa Technik, and Deutsche Bank. Germany is India's largest EU trading partner and investor.
Is there an India–EU Free Trade Agreement?
India and the EU restarted FTA negotiations in June 2022 after a decade-long pause. Germany is the EU's strongest advocate for this agreement. The India–UK FTA (independently) was signed in 2024 and should serve as a template.