Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Switzerland to India

Switzerland and India are strong trade partners. Switzerland is India's largest commercial ally within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc, a group of European nations outside the European Union.

Switzerland's exports to India reach $31.8B year after year. The top product that Switzerland exports to India is gold, with total exports valued at $29.3B.

Gold, often seen as a safe investment and a symbol of wealth, plays a crucial role in India's cultural and economic fabric, being central to various traditions and financial security.

If you are looking to ship goods from Switzerland to India, here’s everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Switzerland to India?

To ship freight from Switzerland to India, you can either use ocean freight or air freight.

Ocean Freight From Switzerland to India

Ocean freight is the most economical and flexible mode of shipment. It provides shippers with the option of choosing between less than container load or full container load freight shipping. 

LCL is best for smaller shipments. The goods will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. This allows shippers to save on shipping costs as they only need to pay for the space their container occupies. 

FCL, on the other hand, is made for larger cargo. The shippers pay for the space in the entire container unit to ship their goods alone, giving them more control and security for their shipments. 

Air Freight from Switzerland to India

Another option to ship freight from Switzerland to India is air freight. This is the fastest and most secure mode of shipment, which makes it ideal for time-sensitive and high-value goods. However, it’s important to note that air freight can be expensive and has stricter regulations about the nature of goods you can ship. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Switzerland to India?

The cost of shipping cargo from Switzerland to India will depend on various factors, including: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping




• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment




• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size




• Weight and size limits

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Switzerland to India:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Switzerland to India?

The duration for shipping goods from Switzerland to India is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)




• The directness of the shipment route




• How popular the trade lane is




• Geopolitical instability




• Potential incidents at the ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Switzerland to India?

Ocean freight from Switzerland to India will take about 15 to 50 days, depending on the shipping season.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Switzerland to India?

Air freight from Switzerland to India will take 2-8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Switzerland and India

When your goods arrive in India, they will have to go through the customs clearance process. This will require you to provide the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice




• A packing list




• A certificate of origin




• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)




• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

We have a full documents list that you can refer to for more details and examples of these customs clearance documentation requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean freight and air freight will ultimately depend on your needs and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if your priority is cost savings. It’s cheaper to ship goods by sea compared to by air, although it does have longer transit times. Ocean freight is also more flexible to a wide range of commodities. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is the best option for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 




• Lightweight




• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 




• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 




• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You may opt for FCL freight shipping instead if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 




• Heavy or overweight




• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 




• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 




• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Air freight may be the best shipping option for you if you prioritize speed and security. The transit times of air freight are unparalleled. Plus, stricter airport regulations can guarantee the safety of your cargo. However, you should only go for air freight if you don’t mind the costs as it’s also the most expensive way to ship goods from Switzerland to India. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Switzerland

Port of Switzerland/ Port of Basel

The Port of Basel is the most important river port in Switzerland. It is divided into three sub-ports, which comprise the port of Kleinhüningen, Port Birsfelden, and Port Muttenz-Au. Collectively, the ports handle 15 million tonnes of goods per year. 

Port Of Kleinhüningen

The Port Of Kleinhüningen is the largest of the sub-ports in the Port of Basel. It has three container terminals, which are being expanded to increase port capacity and attract investments from foreign corporations. 

Port Of Birsfelden

Port of Birsfelden specializes in handling and storing steel. It also handles dry cargo, petroleum, oil products, and containers. Its connections to railways help make cargo operations more efficient. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

Kandla Port

The Kadla Port is one of the oldest ports in India, beginning its construction in the 1950s. It is also considered the biggest container port in India by cargo volume and value of shipments. The Kandla port is focused on importing petroleum, heavy machinery, salt, chemicals, and textiles. 

Mumbai Port

The Mumbai Port is the largest in India by size and shipping traffic. It is a vital port to the economy of India, handling 20% of the country’s foreign trade. The port handles over 2 million TEUs per year and was the first container terminal in the country. 

Vishakapatnam Port

The Vishakapatnam Port is located in India’s easy cost. It handles 1.2 million metric tons of cargo per year. The port has 24 berths and three harbors where goods such as alumina, pellets, oil, and iron ore are handled. 

Air Freight from Switzerland to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Switzerland

Geneva Airport

The Geneva Airport, formerly known as the Cointrin Airport, is located in Geneva, Switzerland’s second most populous city. The airport is a hub for easyJet, Swiss International Air Lines, and more. 

Zurich Airport

The Zurich Airport is the largest international airport in Switzerland. It functions as the principal hub of Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa, Edelweiss Air, and more. The airport serves the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich. 

Basel Airport

The Basel Airport is more formally known as the EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. It serves Saint-Louis in Basel and is a hub for airlines like easyJet, EasyJet Switzerland, Swissair, Helvetic Airways, and more. 

Airports of arrival in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport 

The Indira Gandhi International Airport serves the capital city of India, Delhi. It is the primary international airport of the National Capital Region. It is a hub for IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Go First, Jet Airways, and more, and handles 895.92 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Kempegowda International Airport

The Kempegowda International Airport serves the capital of Karnataka, Bangalore. It occupies 4,000 acres of land near the suburb of Devanahalli. The airport is a hub for IndiGo, Akasa Air, AIX Connect, Alliance Air, Star Air, and FedEx Express, handling 410.31 thousand tonnes of cargo per year. 

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport 

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport serves the capital city of Telangana, Hyderabad. It was opened in 2008 to replace the Begumpet Airport. Now, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is a hub for IndiGo, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, Amazon Air, TruJet, JetLite, Blue Dart Aviation, and Flyington Freighters. It handles 142.33 thousand metric tonnes of cargo per year.