Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to Malaysia

India and Malaysia’s trade relationship has flourished over the years. Malaysia’s location as the gateway to ASEAN markets makes it a prime shipping location for India’s vast and rich resources. Bilateral agreements solidify trade relations between India and Malaysia, including a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that has bolstered trade flows and investments between the two countries. 

In 2022, for example, India exported $7.27 billion worth of goods to Malaysia, the top products being refined petroleum, raw aluminum, and frozen bovine meat. The rate of exports from India to Malaysia in the last 27 years has increased at a 10.3% annualized rate. 

If you are looking to ship from India to Malaysia, this article will delve into the intricacies of the process, from your ocean and air freight shipping options to customs clearance requirements and more. 

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

Your options for shipping freight from India to Malaysia are ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From India to Malaysia

Ocean freight is the most cost-effective and flexible way to ship goods from India to Malaysia. It can accommodate almost every type of cargo and offers shippers two options to get their goods to their destination port: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for shippers transporting small goods or in small volumes. This is because it involves the consolidation process, where your goods are consolidated and shipped together with cargo belonging to other shippers. This way, you only pay for the space your cargo occupies. 

FCL, on the other hand, is best for those transporting large cargo or large volumes of goods. Here, a shipper rents the space in an entire unit for their goods alone, giving them more control and security for their shipment. However, because they don’t share the cost with other shippers, the cost of FCL can be higher. 

Air Freight from India to Malaysia

Another way to ship goods from India to Malaysia is air freight. This is the fastest international shipping mode, and your goods can be at their destination in a matter of days. Air freight is also considered the most secure, with airport regulations helping protect your cargo during transit. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get expensive. There are also stricter rules on what you can and cannot ship by air. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from India to Malaysia 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

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 India to Malaysia

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

The duration for shipping goods from India to Malaysia 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 Malaysia?

Ocean freight from India to Malaysia takes 15-50 days.

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

Air freight from India to Malaysia only takes around 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in India and Malaysia

When your goods arrive in the Malaysian port or airport of your choosing, they must go through the customs clearance process before a successful import. This requires you to prepare and submit the following documentation: 

• 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

Refer to our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for you if you value cost savings and flexibility. It is also a good option if your goods are large and heavy and cannot be accommodated by air freight. When you select ocean freight as your shipping mode from India to Malaysia, you must choose whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the right 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 might consider 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

Air freight is the fastest way to get your goods from India to Malaysia — you can count on them arriving at your Malaysian airport of choice in 2-8 days. It’s also the most secure, perfect for shipping high-value cargo. 

Remember that air freight can get expensive, so account for it in your budget before making any commitments. You should also do your research about whether or not your goods can be accommodated by air freight beforehand. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Cochin Port

The Cochin Port is one of India’s fastest-growing ports, moving 11 million metric tons of goods annually. It mainly handles goods such as coffee, tea, spices, mineral oils, and fertilizers. The port has a cargo depth of over nine meters and an anchorage depth of almost 14 meters, allowing it to accommodate ships more than 500 feet in length. 

Ennore Port

The Ennore Port mainly handles coal shipments, with 16 million metric tons coming through the port every year. It has excellent railway and road links, and the seaport boasts an anchorage depth of 16 meters. 

Panambur Port

The Panambur Port is located in Mangalore, India. It’s a deep, all-weather port with 17 berths, importing products like petroleum, timber, wood pulp, and fertilizer and exporting iron ore, cashew nuts, manganese, and coffee, among others. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Malaysia

Port of Tanjung Pelepas

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas is located in the delta of the Pulai River in Johor, Malaysia. It links Malaysia with Singapore and Indonesia and international shipping routes via the Malacca Strait. The port handles around 9 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Johor

The Port of Johor is located near the Johor Strait at the Southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula. It is located in the industrial region of Pasir Gudang, making it an essential maritime gateway for major industries like packaged food, engineering, electrical goods, furniture, and petrochemicals. 

Port of Penang

The Port of Penang is located on the northeast coastline of Pulao Pinang. It is Malaysia's third-busiest container handling facility and has links to North Malaysia and Southern Thailand. The port handles more than 1 million TEUs per year. 

Air Freight from India to Malaysia: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport serves Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It is a hub for IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and more and handles 895.92 thousand metric tons of goods annually. 

Kempegowda International Airport

The Kempegowda International Airport serves Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It covers a land area of 4,000 acres and is located 30 kilometers north of the city center. The airport is a hub for IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, AIX Connect, Alliance Air, Star Air, Indian Airlines, and FedEx Express.

Chennai International Airport 

The Chennai International Airport serves Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 20 kilometers southwest of the city center. The airport is India’s fifth busiest and ranks third by international traffic. 

Airports of arrival in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main international airport in Malaysia. It is located in Sepang District, Sengalor, 45 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia's largest and busiest airport, handling over 500,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Penang International Airport

The Penang International Airport is located in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, 16 kilometers south of the city center. It serves Malaysia’s second-largest conurbation and is a hub for AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and MASkargo.

Subang Airport

The Subang Airport, also called the Subang Skypark or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, is located in Subang, Petaling District, Sengalor, Malaysia. It served as the main airport in Kuala Lumpur before the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.