Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to Spain

India and Spain have two of the most vibrant economies in the world. India, with its diverse culture and burgeoning economy, offers Spain a vast market and a myriad of opportunities—which has created vast opportunities for collaboration. 

In 2022, India exported $5.31 billion worth of goods to Spain, the top product being nitrogen heterocyclic compounds valued at $295 million. India also ships other goods to Spain, including mollusks and refined petroleum. The trade relationship between the two countries has increased at an annualized rate of 8.8% in the past 27 years. 

If you are looking to ship from India to Spain, you first need to know as much as you can about the process. This guide provides an overview of your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

To ship freight from India to Spain, you can choose to go with ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From India to Spain

Ocean freight is the most economical and flexible way to ship goods from India to Spain. It can ship virtually any type of goods and gives shippers the liberty of choosing between less than a container load and a full container load, depending on the requirements of their cargo. 

LCL shipping involves consolidation. Here, your goods will be consolidated with shipments from other sellers, allowing you to pay only for the space your cargo occupies. This is a more budget-friendly solution, especially if you only ship small cargo. 

On the other hand, FCL is when you rent the space in an entire container for your shipments alone. This gives you more control over your shipment and ensures the security of your cargo. But because you don’t share the space with other shippers, you pay more for your shipment, which can be economical if you ship larger volumes of goods. 

Air Freight from India to Spain

Another option for shipping goods from India to Spain is air freight. This is the fastest international shipping mode but also the most expensive. Because of its more stringent regulations, which facilitate cargo security, air freight is best for time-sensitive, perishable shipments and high-value goods. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from India to Spain 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

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 Spain

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

The duration for shipping goods from India to Spain 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 Spain?

Ocean freight from India to Spain takes approximately 15 to 50 days. But this is still dependent on the season in which you ship.

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

Depending on the season, air freight from India to Spain takes anywhere from 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in India and Spain

Goods that arrive from India to Spain will need to go through the customs clearance process. This requires 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 need examples of each customs clearance document, refer to our full document list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean freight and air freight, you have to consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. To help make the right choice, here are some pointers to consider. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the best option if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It doesn’t cost too much to ship by sea, and it can accommodate almost any type of cargo you have to get to Spain. When selecting ocean freight, you must choose between LCL and FCL shipping. 

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 is the best container shipping method 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 need to get your goods to Spain fast, you should go with air freight. Your shipment will be completed in 2-8 days, making it perfect for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. Thanks to its stricter cargo shipping regulations, shippers also value the security that air freight offers, making it a good choice for high-value goods. 

When considering air freight, consider the costs. Air freight is known as the most expensive mode of international shipping. It’s also quite limited in terms of what you can and cannot ship, so check if it can accommodate your cargo type before proceeding. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Paradip Port

The Paradip Port is located in Jagatsinghpur, Odisha. It’s the area’s only major port, constructed at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and River Mahanadi. The port is the eighth major port in India, mainly transporting iron ore and coal. 

Visakhapatnam Port

The Visakhapatnam Port, also known as the Vizag Port, is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of India’s oldest ports and the second largest in terms of cargo handling. 

Kamarajar Port

The Kamarajar Port, formerly known as the Ennore Port, is the first corporate port in India and the 12th major port in the country. It ships mostly coal, iron ore, and petroleum products. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Spain

Port of Cartagena

The Port of Cartagena is a major shipping hub in its region, handling over 60% of exports and 80% of imports. It operates through three main zones: El Gorguel, Cartagena, and Escombreras. 

Port of Huelva

The Port of Huelva is another major port in Spain’s Andalusia region. Primarily a cargo and fishing port, it was built to process container traffic, general cargo, liquid bulk, and solid bulk. The port sees around 70,000 TEUs per year. 

Port of Las Palmas

The Port of Las Palmas, also known as the Puerto de la Luz, is one of the oldest ports in Spain’s Canary Islands. It services a large number of vessels and receives around 1 million TEUs per year. 

Air Freight from India to Spain: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport serves Delhi, the capital city of India. It spans 5,106 acres in land and is located in Palam, Delhi, 16 kilometers from the city of New Delhi. The airport is a hub for Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet, Go First, Jet Airways, and more.

Kempegowda International Airport

The Kempegowda International Airport serves Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It spans 4,000 acres in land and is located 30 kilometers north of the city. The airport is owned by Bengaluru International Airport Limited. 

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport 

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport serves Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is located 24 kilometers south of Hyderabad. The airport was opened to replace the Begumpet Airport in 2008. 

Airports of arrival in Spain

Zaragoza Airport

The Zaragoza Airport is located near Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, precisely 16 kilometers west of Zaragoza, 270 kilometers west of Barcelona, and 262 kilometers northeast of Madrid. It is a hub for SL Airlines Spain and Plaza Servicios Aéreos.

Vitoria Airport

The Vitoria Airport is near Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain. The locals call it the Foronda Airport because of its proximity to the Foronda hamlet. The airport is a hub for Nordjet Airlines and ASL Airlines Spain.

Palma de Mallorca Airport

The Palma de Mallorca Airport is 8 kilometers east of Palma, Mallorca, Spain. It is the third-busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic and a hub for Ryanair, Vueling, Air Europa, Air Berlin, AlbaStar, Spanair, and others.