Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to Italy

Italy is India’s 4th largest trading partner in the EU and the 8th largest foreign direct investment contributor to India. In 2021, India’s exports to Italy amounted to $7.87 billion, with the top products shipped being hot-rolled iron ($701 million), coated flat-rolled iron ($360 million), and refined petroleum ($324 million). 

If you need to ship goods from India to Italy, you’ve come to the right place. This article provides all the information you need to start shipping. 

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

To ship freight from India to Italy, you can choose between ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From India to Italy

Ocean freight is the most flexible and cost-effective way to ship goods from India to Italy. It can accommodate any type of cargo and doesn’t charge too high for transport. Ocean freight also gives you two routes: shipping via less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for shippers transporting small volumes of cargo. Here, their goods are consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. They only pay for the space their goods occupy, making it highly affordable. 

FCL, on the other hand, is for those shipping large volumes of goods. You can rent the entire container for your cargo alone, which allows more control and security over the shipment. However, because the container isn’t shared with other shippers, FCL can be more expensive. 

Air Freight from India to Italy

Air freight is another shipping option for transporting goods from India to Italy. It’s the fastest mode of shipment and also the most secure, thanks to stricter airport regulations. However, air freight is quite expensive. The price can be worth it for those prioritizing speed and security, especially concerning high-value, perishable, or time-sensitive goods. 

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

The cost of shipping freight from India to Italy 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

To calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from India to Italy

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

The time it takes to ship goods from India to Italy is largely dependent on the international shipping mode selected. However, the following factors also play a role:

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship
• Whether the shipment route is direct
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical instability
• Incidents that might occur at ports

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

Ocean freight from India to Italy takes at least 15 days and, at most, 50 days.

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

Air freight from India to Italy is much faster, taking about 2 to 8 days to complete.

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

Customs Clearance in India and Italy

When your goods arrive in Italy, they must go through Italian customs clearance authorities. This process should be a breeze, provided that you prepare and submit the following paperwork: 

• 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’re a first-time shipper and need examples of these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight for your shipping needs, you need to consider the requirements of your cargo and your priorities as a shipper. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

If you prioritize cost savings, then you should go for ocean freight. It costs significantly less to ship goods by sea than by air. Ocean freight is also the right option if you’re shipping large or heavy goods, as it can accommodate any type of cargo. 

When selecting ocean freight, you must choose between LCL or FCL shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You can ship with LCL freight shipping 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 better choice 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 priority is getting your goods to Italy fast, then you can consider air freight. It can get your shipment to the airport of destination in a couple of days. Air freight is also suitable for those with high-value goods because it’s more secure, thanks to stricter airport regulations. 

Keep in mind, however, that air freight is the most expensive way to ship goods from India to Italy. It also has more stringent rules about what you can and cannot ship. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Paradip Port

The Paradip Port is crucial for the departure of coal in India. It is one of India’s top ports in terms of cargo volume, handling over 65.2 million metric tonnes of goods a year. 

Visakhapatnam Port

The Visakhapatnam Port is located on India’s east coast. It’s a historic port that served as a base during World War 2. Today, the port is India’s deepest landlocked port, housing 26 berths and the deepest container terminal in India. 

Jawaharlal Nehru Port 

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port is India’s top container port. It has connections with 200 international ports, making it one of the busiest in the country. It has 30 container freight stations and 50 inland container depots. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Italy

Port of Trieste

The Port of Trieste is the top port in Italy, handling a total of 62.68 million tonnes of goods per year. It is an important commercial port in the country, especially with the opening of the Suez Canal that led to an expansion of the port’s facilities. 

Port of Genoa

The Port of Genoa is one of the 15 largest Italian ports, handling over 54 million tonnes of goods annually. It spans 700 square meters on land and 500 square meters on water. 

Port of Livorno

The Port of Livorno handles around 36 million tonnes of goods per year. It had a couple of years of crisis but is now jumping back to its position as one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. 

Air Freight from India to Italy: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Pune International Airport 

The Pune International Airport is both an international airport and an Indian Air Force base. It serves Pune in Maharashtra, India. The airport is the tenth busiest in India by passenger traffic and handles a significant amount of freight shipments at 39.36 thousand metric tonnes per year.

Cochin International Airport 

The Cochin International Airport is an international airport serving Kochi in Kerala, India. It is located 25 km from the city center and is India's first airport developed under a public-private partnership. The airport handles 56.77 thousand metric tonnes of goods per year.

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary airport in Delhi, India. It spans 5,106 acres and is located 16 km from the New Delhi city center. The airport handles 895.92 thousand metric tonnes of goods per year. 

Airports of arrival in Italy

Milan Malpensa Airport

The Milan Malpensa Airport is the largest international airport in northern Italy. It serves the areas of Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss Canton of Ticino. The airport serves as a hub for easyJet, Lufthansa, Neos, Alitalia, EasyJet Europe, and more.

Rome Fiumicino Airport

The Rome Fiumicino Airport, also called the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, serves Rome. It’s located in Fiumicino, Italy, and is a hub for ITA Airways, easyJet, Alitalia, AeroItalia, Blu-express, and more. 

Milan Bergamo Airport

The Milan Bergamo Airport, also called the Orio al Serio International Airport, is the third-busiest international airport in Italy. It is a hub for Ryanair, AeroItalia, AlbaStar, Ernest Airlines, MyAir, MiniLiner, Gandalf Airlines, and Trawel Fly.