Shipping and Removals in India
Expats interested in shipping household goods to India will find an abundance of service providers offering both piecemeal delivery and complete relocation packages from anywhere in the world.
Shipping via sea, air as well as by land, for domestic moves, is possible, and the volume, distance and method of delivery of your goods will affect the cost of shipping.
Sea freight will, in most cases, prove to be more cost effective, especially if you are moving a large volume of goods. Delivery tends to take anywhere from 5 to12 weeks. Air freight is delivered much quicker, on average within 1 to 2 weeks; however, costs are also higher.
As a general rule, it’s best to divide your shipment; send the essentials you will require right away via air freight, and the goods that are not immediate necessities via sea freight.
That said, expats should consider that inexpensive furniture options abound in India, and many accommodation options come either fully or partially furnished. As a result, it may not even be necessary to ship every item you’ve ever owned.
Those moving from abroad should note that the customs process in India is incredibly tedious, and lags behind that of many countries. Furthermore, ports in India typically run in excess of capacity for handling goods, which causes congestion and leads to delays in delivery of the goods to a destination.
In turn, expats should choose a shipping company that offers door-to-door service, which should include customs clearance of your goods.
Can I ship duty-free to India
Expats planning on becoming formal residents of India can import their used personal and household goods duty-free. There are some exceptions to this rule, like certain appliances or electronic equipment, and it’s best expats consult the Indian government’s baggage rules before finalising their shipment.
Foreigners who fall into this category will need to arrive prior to the shipment of their goods, and will need to make sure they ship their goods from their home country within 30 days of their arrival in India. Those who have spent more than 180 days in India over the course of the preceding two years do not qualify to ship their goods duty-free to India.
Foreigners who fall into this category will need to arrive prior to the shipment of their goods, and will need to make sure they ship their goods from their home country within 30 days of their arrival in India. Those who have spent more than 180 days in India over the course of the preceding two years do not qualify to ship their goods duty-free to India.
Upon arrival in India, expats who have opted to ship their goods to India will need to submit the following to the custom’s department:
- Original passport with resident / business / work / entry visa or a PIO card
- Authority letter (provided by agent)
- Baggage Declaration Form (provided by agent)
- Inventory with valuation of each item
- Indian Customs Declaration Form(provided by agent)
- Bill of Lading
Be sure to make multiple copies of your inventory, as this document will be useful if exporting items in the future.
Shipping considerations
- Most expat relocation packages offer an allowance for air and sea freight, it is best to take full advantage of your air freight allowance for essentials needed right away.
- Take into consideration the environment in India. During the monsoon season there is a tendency for seepage in homes which can cause damage to furniture and invite termites. Ask your landlord about any foreseen problems.
Hiring an international removal company
Hassle free cross-continental movement is best handled by international removal companies familiar with Indian transport and customs rules. These companies come to your home, survey everything you want to take with you and make a quote based on the size of the shipment.
Those expat assignees lucky enough to have secured a shipping allowance through their work contract are usually bound to request at least three quotes before choosing a provider, and even those who aren’t bound should solicit a number of quotes in the name of price comparison.
On the day of the move, the company will come to your home, pack everything, take inventory, do basic disassembling of furniture, and deal with all customs formalities. You should expect your quote to include delivery and unpacking services, as well as removal of debris, and basic reassembling of furniture at the destination point.
Extra charges will usually apply for the following: insurance, wooden crates, handling of heavy items, storage of goods, customs duties, hoisting or crane requirement, and piano handling.
Expats should take out shipping insurance with a company not involved in the removal, as to ensure adequate protection and coverage of their goods.
Shipping your car to India
Foreigners are allowed import of one vehicle. The car must have been in your possession for over a year. Other rules:
- Shipment may be done within six months of arrival
- Only right hand drive cars are allowed
- An original purchase invoice is required
- Duty ( Do note that there are no fixed rates as the process is seen case-by-case) it is best to check with your shipping agent for the latest update
Shipping pets to India
The rules for shipping pets to India vary according to each expat (and ex-pets) country of origin, but all pet owners must obtain a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Quarantine Officer at the Animal Quarantine Station PRIOR to arrival.
To apply for this document, expats will need to submit the following:
- All vaccination records of the pet.
- Government issued veterinary certificate from the exporting country (USDA document including microchip implantation record, rabies certificate, vet health certificate)
- Flight details / confirmation of the passenger's travel into India / Copy of the airway bill
- Veterinary Certificate
Once you’ve obtained the certificate, make sure you do the following in order to safely and efficiently ship your beloved furry friend to India.
►A duplicate copy of the NOC has to be fixed on the crate of the pet during the air travel.
►A duplicate copy of the NOC has to be fixed on the crate of the pet during the air travel.
►Original copy of the NOC has to be produced in India to get the pet released from the customs at the Airport in India.
►On arrival in India, an appointment to be fixed with the Quarantine Officer for issue of a temporary Health Certificate on examination of the pet.
►30 days thereafter a certificate of health to be obtained from a local veterinarian to be produced at the Animal Quarantine Station. Then, the pet will be issued a permanent certificate of health for his/her stay in India.
