Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to China

India and China, hailed as the two giants not only of Asia but also of the world, have a steady trade relationship and are seeing consistent progress. Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth $113.83 billion, increasing by 29% in the last five years. 

If you’re an Indian supplier or manufacturer looking to take advantage of this trade relationship, here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping from India to China. 

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

To ship cargo from India to China, you can either engage ocean freight or air freight services. 

Ocean Freight From India to China

Ocean freight is the most cost-effective and flexible way to ship from India to China. It can accommodate a range of cargo at a low cost, guaranteeing an option to suit your needs and budget. Ocean freight has two shipping methods: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is made for shippers shipping small volumes of goods. It involves consolidating cargo belonging to different sellers, which means you only pay for the space your cargo occupies. This makes LCL highly cost-efficient. However, it has long transit times. 

FCL, on the other hand, is best for shippers shipping large cargo. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which has its benefits when it comes to security and control. FCL, however, can be expensive, but the shorter transit times make it worth it, depending on your needs. 

Air Freight from India to China

Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods from India to China. It can get your cargo to your destination in a couple of days. This mode of shipment also has stringent regulations, which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. Good because it means more security for high-value and fragile goods. But bad because it means air freight can’t accommodate all types of cargo. It’s also the most expensive mode of shipping. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from India to China will depend on several 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

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from India to China:

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

Shipping goods from India to China 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 India to China?

Ocean freight from India to China takes around 15 to 50 days.

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

If you ship cargo from India to China by air, you can expect your goods at your destination in around 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in India and China

When your goods arrive in China, they must go through customs. The customs clearance process should be a breeze as long as you have correctly prepared and submitted 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 peruse for examples of each one. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to consider to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you want cost-efficiency and flexibility in your shipment. It can accommodate almost all cargo types, and the shipping rates won’t break the bank. If you opt for ocean freight, you must choose between LCL and FCL freight shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL might be suitable 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

FCL may be the mode of ocean freight shipping 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 value speed when it comes to international shipping, you should consider air freight. The transit time for air freight shipments from India to China is a meager 2-8 days, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable goods. 

However, remember that air freight may not be able to accommodate all types of cargo. It’s also the most expensive, so plan your budget accordingly. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Visakhapatnam Port

The Visakhapatnam Port is ideal for shippers shipping from Central India, thanks to its location between Chennai and Kolkata. The port mostly handles steel shipments and is equipped with skilled cargo teams that manage both steel and general goods. 

Pipavav Port

The Pipavav Port is located 90 kilometers south of Amreli. It’s a privately owned port operated by freight-handling teams specializing in liquid and container freight. The port, close to Nhava Sheva, gives shippers access to a range of shipping routes. 

Kattupalli Port 

The Kattupalli Port was built as an alternative port to relieve congestion in the Chennai port. It has an unprecedented congestion-free approach, with linked roads guaranteeing speedy access to the port’s facilities. It provides a quicker shipping alternative to the Chennai port. 

Cargo ports of arrival in China

Xiamen Port

The Xiamen Port is a major shipping hub with nine container terminals. It can handle sixth-generation container vessels and is close to Taiwan. 

Shanghai Port

The Shanghai Port was rated as the world’s best-connected port in 2019. It’s also the world’s largest port for container freight. The seaport boasts an abundance of road and rail links, which lead to destinations all around China. 

Tianjin Port 

The Tianjin Port is 170 kilometers from Beijing, China’s capital city. Hailed as the world’s ninth-largest container port and the largest in China, it can receive cargo from 115 carriers operating across the ocean trade lanes from India. 

Air Freight from India to China: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Kempegowda International Airport

Kempegowda International Airport is located in Bangalore and serves the state capital of Karnataka. It has three terminals for cargo operations and pharmaceutical storage facilities. The airport has strong road and rail links to Bangalore city. 

Chennai International Airport

The Chennai International Airport spans eight hectares and can handle three wide-bodied air freighters simultaneously. It is easily reached by road and rail from destinations in Southern India. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is a central cargo hub. Its huge cargo terminal caters to shippers in Western India and has a dedicated facility for perishable shipments. 

Airports of Arrival in China

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

The Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is located 30 kilometers from Shenzhen City. It receives direct flights from Chennai, India, and boasts a large cargo capacity thanks to the installation of a second runway. 

Beijing Capital International Airport

The Beijing Capital International Airport is located just outside the Beijing city center. It has a variety of transport links to access the rest of China. The airport processes more than 1.8 million tonnes of air freight annually and has three cargo terminals to accommodate the large volume of shipments. 

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is China’s third biggest cargo airport. It’s mostly used by people in and around the Guangdong Province, China’s main manufacturing region.