Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Australia to India

Australia and India entered an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement in 2022, strengthening their trade relations and making more than 85% of Australian goods exports to India tariff-free. 

Take advantage of this trade agreement in your shipping venture from Australia to India. This article covers everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

You have two options for shipping freight from Australia to India: ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Australia to India

Ocean freight is the most flexible and economical way to ship goods from Australia to India. It can accommodate a range of cargo types and offers shippers two options for shipping: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is ideal for shipping small volumes of goods. Here, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers. That way, you only need to pay for the space your goods occupy and share the cost of the container with other sellers. It’s an economical way to ship cargo from Australia to India but has long transit times. 

On the other hand, FCL is best for larger volumes of goods. The shipper pays for the space in an entire container unit for their cargo alone, which has benefits in terms of security and control. FCL is more expensive than LCL but has faster transit times. 

Air Freight from Australia to India

Air freight is the fastest shipping mode, and it’s also more secure, thanks to strict airport regulations. This makes air freight suitable for high-value and time-sensitive shipments. However, it’s worth noting that air freight is strict about what you can and cannot ship. It’s also the most expensive way to ship from Australia to India. 

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

The cost to ship cargo from Australia to India will depend on various factors. These include: 

• 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 [PLACE] to [PLACE]:

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

Shipping goods from Australia to India varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from Australia to India takes about 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from Australia to India is much faster, ranging from 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Australia and India

When your goods arrive from Australia to India, they will go through the customs clearance process. For this to be a breeze, make sure you prepare and submit 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

You can find examples of these customs clearance documents in our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now that you know your shipping options, it’s time to choose between them. The best shipping mode for you will depend on your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option for prioritizing flexibility and cost savings. It can accommodate various cargo types without burning a hole in your pocket. When opting for ocean freight, you must choose between LCL and FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the best option 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

If LCL is not for you, you might consider FCL, which is ideal for cargo that 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

If you want to complete your shipment quickly, you should opt for air freight. Air freight is the fastest mode of shipment, and it can get your cargo to India in 2-8 days. However, be aware that air freight may not be able to accommodate excessively large cargo and doesn’t allow certain types of goods. 

If you opt for air freight, you should also manage your budget properly, as this mode of shipment tends to require a higher investment.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Australia

Port of Hedland

The Port of Hedland is located in Western Australia. It’s the largest bulk export facility in the world, handling commodities like iron ore, ammonium, lithium, fuel oils, salt, sulphuric acid, livestock, and more. It’s hailed as Australia's busiest and biggest port, handling more than 450 million tonnes of cargo annually. 

Port of Adelaide

The Port of Adelaide is South Australia’s prime shipping port. It handles container shipments and exports of vehicles, automobile parts, grains, metal, steel, and iron goods. The port handles over 110 million tonnes of cargo annually. 

Port of Brisbane

The Port of Brisbane is the third-largest container facility in Australia. It mainly handles agricultural shipments, including dairy goods, sand, sugar, wool, processed meat, and canned food. It sees a traffic of 31,878,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

New Mangalore Port (Karnataka)

The New Mangalore Port is located in the northern part of the Gurupura River in India. It was expanded to accommodate larger ships and carry more commodities. Its top shipments include tea, coffee, fertilizers, oil, rubber, fish, and crude oil. 

Mormugao Port (Goa)

The Mormugao Port is a major iron ore exporter in India. It was one of the country’s first developed ports. It ships commodities such as manganese, cotton, coconuts, iron ores, and other typical cargo. 

Ennore Port

The Ennore Port, also known as the Kamarajar Port Limited, is India’s first corporate seaport. It is 24 kilometers from the Chennai port and easily accessible by road and rail. The port mainly handles coal shipments, transporting 16 million tonnes every year. 

Air Freight from Australia to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Australia

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

The Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, known as the Sydney International Airport, is located in Sydney, Australia, 8 km south of the central business district. It houses Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia Airlines, Rex Airlines, and more. 

Perth Airport

The Perth Airport is an international, domestic, and general aviation airport in Western Australia. It’s the country’s fourth-busiest airport, serving the city of Perth. The airport houses airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia Airlines, Alliance Airlines, and more. 

Melbourne Airport

The Melbourne Airport, also known as the Tullamarine Airport, serves the city of Melbourne, Australia. It’s the second-busiest airport in the country, serving as a hub for Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia Airlines, Rex Airlines, and more. 

Airports of arrival in India

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata) 

The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport serves the city of Kolkata and its metropolitan region. It is the primary airport for east and northeastern India. The airport houses IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, Alliance Air, Indian Airlines, Zoom Air, Blue Dart Aviation, Zav Airways, and Airways (India), collectively handling 136.02 metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad) 

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is an international airport in Gujarat, India. It serves the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. A hub for IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, Air Deccan, TruJet, JetLite, Simplifly Deccan, and Blue Dart Aviation, the airport handles 92.34 metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Cochin International Airport (Cochin) 

The Cochin International Airport serves the city of Kochi in Kerala, southwestern India. It is the first of its kind to be developed under a public-private partnership model. The airport is a hub for Air India Express, Air Kerala, and Deccan Charters and annually ships 56.77 metric tonnes of cargo.