Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Germany to India

Germany and India have a flourishing trade relationship. In 2021, Germany exported a total of $14.9 billion worth of goods to India, mainly consisting of planes, helicopters, spacecraft, motor vehicles and their parts and accessories, and rubberworking machinery. In the last 26 years, German exports to India have been on a consistent 6.3% rise. 

If your German business wants to tap into the Indian market, you need to know everything about ocean and air freight shipping from Germany to India. This article should provide you with important information for your shipping endeavor. 

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

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

Ocean Freight From Germany to India

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from Germany to India. Although it has longer transit times, it gives shippers the flexibility to choose between two modes of shipment: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for shippers shipping small volumes of goods. Here, your goods will be consolidated with other shippers’ cargo and shipped together in one container. This allows you to share costs, paying only for the space your cargo occupies. 

On the contrary, FCL does not undergo consolidation. Instead, you pay for the space in an entire container, allowing you to ship more goods or larger cargo. Though more expensive than LCL, FCL has faster transit times and will give you more control over your shipment. 

Air Freight from Germany to India

Your next option to ship freight from Germany to India is by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of transport but also the most expensive. Because of its speed and higher level of security, air freight is deemed best for cargo that is perishable, time-sensitive, or high-value. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Germany to India will depend on many factors. These include the following: 

• 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

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Germany to India:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Germany to India is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)




• Whether the shipment route is direct or not




• The trade lane's popularity




• Geopolitical instability




• Possible incidents at any port

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

Ocean freight from Germany to India will take approximately 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from Germany to India is much faster, taking 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Germany and India

When your goods arrive in India, it doesn’t mean they have been imported yet. They will need to be cleared by Indian customs. This customs clearance process requires that 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

If you need samples of these customs clearance documents, check out our full list of documents. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean freight and air freight both offer their own sets of benefits for a shipper. To help you decide which one is best for your unique needs, here are some pointers to consider. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is for shippers who prioritize cost savings. Because it is much cheaper than ocean freight, it helps you transport your cargo without incurring too much expense. However, keep in mind that ocean freight has long transit times.

Additionally, if you’re going with ocean freight, you have to choose between two modes of shipment—LCL and FCL.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best for shippers transporting cargo that 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

FCL might be better for you 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

If you’re shipping perishable, high-value, and time-sensitive goods, then you might want a shipping option that offers more speed, reliability, and security. That’s where air freight comes in. Capable of getting your cargo to India in a couple of days and having more secure processes thanks to stricter airport regulations, air freight can guarantee the safety and timely delivery of your goods. 

However, keep in mind that air freight can get expensive. It also has limitations regarding what type of cargo you can ship and how big or heavy they can be. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Germany

Hamburg Port

The Hamburg Port is the largest seaport in Germany in terms of cargo volume handled. It is also the third busiest in Europe and the 15th largest globally. Also known as Germany’s Gateway to the World, the Hamburg Port handles 25% of Germany’s shipping activities. 

Port of Bremen and Bremerhaven

The Port of Bremen and Bremerhaven are collectively among the biggest ports in Germany. The Port of Bremen alone is dubbed as the largest industrial hub in the country. Together, both ports have a container traffic of 5.2 million TEUs. 

Port of Wilhelmshaven

The Port of Wilhelmshaven is a medium-sized port well-equipped with the latest harbor infrastructure for the shipment of containers, refrigerated cargo, bulk cargo, general cargo, project cargo, and food. It handles 656,000 TEUs per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

Vizag Port

The Visag Port, also known as Visakhapatnam, is the oldest seaport in India and one of the only natural harbors in the Bay of Bengal. It handles 1.2 million metric tons of cargo annually, most of which comprise aluminum, coal, iron ore, oil, and pellets. 

Panambur Port

The Panambur Port is located in Mangalore, India. It houses 17 berths, all of which operate all year. The port serves as the trading point for Karnataka and Kerala, moving goods such as petroleum, fertilizer, timber, and wood pulp. 

Ennore Port

The Ennore Port is the main port in India handling the shipment of coal, managing over 16 million metric tons of coal shipments per year. It has good railway and road links and is expected to expand its facility to add five container berths. 

Air Freight from Germany to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Germany

Frankfurt Am Main Airport

The Frankfurt Airport is the main international airport in Germany. It’s located in one of the biggest cities, Frankfurt, and one of the world’s leading financial centers. The airport houses airlines like Lufthansa, Condor, Discover Airlines, and SunExpress, handling around 2 million tons of cargo annually. 

Leipzig/Halle Airport

The Leipzig/ Halle Airport is located in Schkeuditz, Saxony, Germany. It is the 14th largest airport in the country by passenger traffic. But it’s also a hub for cargo operations, handling over 1.5 million tons of cargo annually. 

Cologne Bonn

The Cologne Bonn Airport serves the cities of Cologne and Bonne. It’s Germany's 7th largest passenger airport and the third-largest in cargo operations. The port handles around 971 million tons of cargo per year. 

Airports of arrival in India

Chennai International Airport

The Chennai International Airport serves the city of Chennai and its metropolitan area. It opened over 93 years ago in 1930. The airport houses airlines that include IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, and more.

Ahmedabad Airport

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, or Ahmedabad Airport for short, serves the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat, India. It is a hub for airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, Air Deccan, TruJet, JetLite, Simplifly Deccan, and Blue Dart Aviation that handle its cargo operations. 

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport serves the city of Kolkata and its metropolitan area. The primary airport for cities is the eastern and northeastern parts of India. Housing airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, Alliance Air, Indian Airlines, and more, the airport has flourishing cargo operations.