Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to Hong Kong

India and Hong Kong have always been strong trade partners. In 2021, Hong Kong imported a total of $11.2 billion worth of products, with the top products being diamonds, jewelry, and precious stones. India’s exports to Hong Kong have increased at an annualized rate of 6.94% in the last 26 years.

If you’re looking to ship hot commodities from India to Hong Kong, here are your shipping options and everything else you need to know. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From India to Hong Kong?

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

Ocean Freight From India to Hong Kong

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from India to Hong Kong. It provides two shipping options: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for shippers shipping small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers, which allows them to achieve cost-efficiency by sharing the container cost with others. While it’s economical, LCL has long transit times. 

On the other hand, FCL is for those shipping larger volumes of goods. FCL shippers pay for the space in an entire container unit, allowing them to utilize it solely for their shipments. FCL has faster transit times because of the lack of consolidation and deconsolidation processes. However, it can be more expensive than LCL. 

Air Freight from India to Hong Kong

Air freight is the fastest and most secure way to get goods from India to Hong Kong. Strict airport regulations and transport speed are ideal for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value shipments. However, air freight has more stringent restrictions and is more expensive than ocean freight. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From India to Hong Kong?

The cost of shipping cargo from India to Hong Kong will depend on a variety of 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

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from India to Hong Kong in the table below:

How long does it take to ship cargo from India to Hong Kong?

The duration for shipping goods from India to Hong Kong 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 India to Hong Kong?

Shipping goods by sea from India to Hong Kong will take approximately 15 to 50 days. 

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

Air freight from India to Hong Kong is much faster, and goods can be delivered to the destination airport in 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in India and Hong Kong

When your goods arrive in Hong Kong, they will first need to be cleared by customs authorities before they can be distributed in the country. This customs clearance process requires you to 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

We have a complete list of documents you can refer to for examples of each customs clearance document. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Before you ship your goods from India to Hong Kong, you must choose the right mode of shipment for you: ocean freight or air freight. The right decision will depend on the nature of your goods and your priorities as a shipper. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the top choice if you are looking for a relatively cheap way to get your goods from India to Hong Kong. It’s economical and reliable and can be a good option as long as you don’t mind longer transit times. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the right mode of ocean freight shipping 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

On the other hand, you may be better off choosing to ship via FCL 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 speed and security are your priorities for your shipment, then you should go with air freight. Best for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value cargo, air freight can get your goods to Hong Kong within a matter of days, and stricter airport regulations can ensure the safety of your goods. 

You should know, however, that air freight is more expensive than ocean shipping. There are also stricter rules about what cargo air freight can accommodate. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Port Blair Port

The Port Blair Port is the newest major port in India. It has made significant contributions to the Indian economy, accommodating a wide range of cargo and ships up to 500 feet in length. The port is a connection point between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. 

Kolkata Port

The Kolkata Port is called the Gateway of Eastern India. It is the main point of contact for cargo that arrives from Southeast Asia and Australia. The Kolkata Port is the busiest port for trading jute, steel, iron ore, copper, coal, tea, and leather. 

Tuticorin Port

The Tuticorin Port is located inside an artificial harbor. It is an all-weather port that handles large volumes of shipping traffic worldwide. Its main imports and exports are coal, petroleum, grain, salt, and cooking oil. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Hong Kong

Port of Hong Kong 

The Port of Hong Kong is located by the South China Sea. It is one of the business and most efficient container ports around the world, handling over 18 million TEUs per year. The port has 24 berths to handle the large container traffic. 

Air Freight from India to Hong Kong: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport

The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport serves the largest city in North-East India, Guwahati. It is the region’s primary airport and is hailed as the 12th busiest in India. The port is mainly a hub for FlyBig and handles 22.82 thousand metric tons per year. 

Pune International Airport

The Pune International Airport is an Indian Air Force base and international airport serving the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. It houses the IndiGo airlines, which helps it handle 39.37 thousand metric tons of cargo annually. 

Cochin International Airport 

The Cochin International Airport serves the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. It is the first airport developed under a public-private partnership model in India. The airport is a hub for IndiGo and Air India Express, handling 56.77 thousand metric tons of cargo annually. 

Airports of arrival in Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport

Since 1996, the Hong Kong International Airport has been hailed as the world’s busiest international cargo airport. It is located in Western Hong Kong on the island of Chek Lap Kok. It’s also called the Chek Lap Kok International Airport.