Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to Germany

Germany is India’s largest trade partner in Europe. In the same way, India is Germany’s 25th top trading partner. The total bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to US$24.8 billion, with the top commodities being machinery, textiles, chemicals, and mechanical appliances. 

If you’re an Indian business looking to ship these top goods to Germany, you first need to familiarize yourself with your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

You can ship goods from India to Germany via ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From India to Germany

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option because of its cost. It allows shippers to ship their goods from India to Germany without incurring too much expenses. It’s also the most versatile, accommodating a wide range of cargo. 

Ocean freight is flexible in the sense that it offers two modes of shipment: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is used for small shipments. Here, your goods will be consolidated with consignments belonging to other shippers. Because you share the space in a container with other sellers, you only pay for the space your goods occupy. LCL has a cost savings advantage, but the drawback is its long transit times. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used for larger shipments. The shipper pays for the space in an entire container, allowing them to use it only for their goods. While this makes FCL more expensive, it will enable faster transit times and more control. 

Air Freight from India to Germany

For shippers prioritizing getting their goods from India to Germany fast, air freight is the top shipping option. This mode of shipment can get your goods to their destination in a matter of days, making it best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. 

Air freight is also more secure because of stricter airport regulations. However, this stringency can be problematic if your cargo does not meet the restrictions on goods that can and cannot be shipped by air. Air freight is also the most expensive mode of shipment. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from India to Germany depends on various factors. These can 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

To estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from India to Germany:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from India to Germany 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 India to Germany?

Ocean freight from India to Germany can take 15 to 50 days. 

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

Air freight from India to Germany takes only as much as 2-8 days, depending on the season. 

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

Customs Clearance in India and Germany

When your goods arrive in Germany, they will need to go through the customs clearance process for which you need 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 examples of these customs clearance documents, take a look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean freight and air freight, you must consider the nature of your shipment and your priorities as a shipper. To help you make the right decision, here are some factors to consider: 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is for you if you prioritize cost savings but don’t mind long transit times. It’s also the best option for large shipments. When choosing ocean freight, however, you need to consider whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is 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 might 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 your ultimate goal is to get your goods from India to Germany fast and securely, then you should go with air freight. Air freight is the fastest mode of international shipping and has strict regulations that can help protect your cargo. It’s best for perishable, time-sensitive, and high-value goods. 

However, you should know that air freight has restrictions on what you can ship. It’s also the most expensive shipping option. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Mumbai Port

The Mumbai Port is one of the most popular ports in India. It’s more than 300 years old, established by the British in the late 17th century. Today, the port handles bulk and general cargo, managing over 40,0000 TEUs annually. 

Hazira Port

The Hazira Port is India’s most crucial petroleum and LNG harbor. It’s also the country’s most advanced port and is subject to expansion activities. The port can handle 1 million TEUs at present. 

V.O Chidambaranar Port

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port primarily handles traffic from the USA, China, and Sri Lanka. It is a relatively small port, spanning only 8 square kilometers. Despite its size, it handles 7% of India’s total container traffic and is the prime exporter of raw materials and agricultural goods. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Germany

Port of Brunsbuttel

The Port of Brunsbuttel is located in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It’s close to the North Sea and serves as a point of entry to the Kiel Canal. The port handles a range of shipped commodities, including oil and gas, chemicals, dry cargo, and even hazardous materials. 

Port of Frankfurt 

The Port of Frankfurt is a medium-sized port with a strategic location. Its major trade partners include India, China, the US, and the UK, among others, with the top commodities being motor vehicles, vaccines, and packaged medicaments. 

Port of Kiel

The Port of Kiel is one of the routes to the Kiel Canal, making it an essential seaport for container traffic. It is strategically located with direct access to the national road and rail network. The port handles 20,000 TEUs per year. 

Air Freight from India to Germany: An Airport Guide

Airports of origin in India

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport

The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport serves the largest city of North-Easty India, Guwahati. It is the region’s primary airport and the 12th busiest in India. The port was opened over 65 years ago. Its cargo operations are commendable, handling 22.82 thousand metric tons per year. 

Pune International Airport

The Pune International Airport serves the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. Both an international passenger airport and an Indian Air Force base, it has cargo facilities that can handle 39.37 thousand metric tons of cargo every year. 

Cochin International Airport 

The Cochin International Airport serves Kochi, Kerala, India. It’s hailed as the fourth-biggest airport in South India and the largest in Kerala. The airport is a hub for Air India Express and IndiGo and handles 56.77 thousand metric tons of cargo per year. 

Airports of arrival in Germany

Cologne Bonn Airport

The Cologne Bonn Airport serves Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city, and Bonn, West Germany’s former capital. It is a hub for airlines such as Eurowings, Germanwings, TUI fly Deutschland, and more. The airport has three runways for its passenger and cargo operations. 

Stuttgart Airport

The Stuttgart Airport serves Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is Germany’s sixth busiest airport by passenger traffic and has excellent cargo operations. The airport is a hub for Eurowings, SunExpress, TUI fly Deutschland, and more. 

Munich International Airport

The Munich Airport, also called the Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport, serves Munich and Upper Bavaria. It mainly services Lufthansa airlines but also houses Eurowings, TUI fly Deutschland, Air Dolomiti, and more.