Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to UAE

India is hailed as the UAE’s largest trading partner, with Indian exports to the UAE reaching $25.4 billion in 2021. The main products exported included refined petroleum, jewelry, and diamonds. 

If you want to ship from India to UAE, this article will lay down your ocean and air freight shipping options and guide you through everything you need to know about the shipping process. 

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

To ship freight from India to UAE, you have two options: ocean or air freight, depending on your needs and priorities. 

Ocean Freight From India to UAE

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from India to UAE. It’s also the most flexible, accommodating a wide range of goods and cargo types. Ocean freight has two container shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is ideal for shippers shipping small volumes of goods. They share the space of a unit with other shippers, which allows them to pay only for the space their cargo occupies, making it more cost-efficient. 

FCL, on the other hand, is better for shippers shipping large cargo. They rent the space in an entire unit for their goods alone, allowing them more space, control, and security for their shipment. Because no consolidation is involved in FCL, it can be more expensive.  

Air Freight from India to UAE

Another way to ship goods from India to UAE is air freight, which is deemed the fastest mode of shipment. Air freight can get your goods to their destination in a matter of days. Thanks to stricter airport regulations, it can also guarantee security. 

However, this stringency also means that certain goods and types of cargo cannot be accommodated by air freight, which is also the most expensive mode of shipment. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from India to UAE will depend on a couple of factors, which 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 UAE: 

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

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

The transit time for ocean freight shipments from India to UAE can take around 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from India to UAE can take approximately 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in India and UAE

When your Indian goods arrive in the UAE, they must go through the customs clearance process before they can be successfully imported. This process requires you to 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

For examples of the paperwork needed for customs clearance, refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When deciding whether to go with ocean freight or air freight, you first need to consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight can be ideal for you if you prioritize cost efficiency and flexibility. Able to accommodate a wide range of goods, ocean freight can ship your cargo to India at the lowest rates. If you do go for ocean freight, you also have to choose between LCL and FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best 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 be better off choosing 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 your priority is getting your cargo from India to UAE fast, then you should go for air freight. Air freight shipments from India to the UAE only take about a week to complete. This shipping mode also allows better security for your cargo, making it perfect for time-sensitive, high-value, and perishable goods. 

Keep in mind, however, that air freight can get expensive. It also has strict rules about what you can and cannot ship, so make sure to check if it can accommodate the type of goods you’re transporting. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Kandla Port

The Kandla Port is located in Gujarat, India. It’s a hub for petroleum and gas shipments and exports of salt and textiles. The port can accommodate 122.5 million metric tons of cargo and a TEU traffic of 0.17 million units. 

Mumbai Port

The Mumbai port is one of the most popular in India. It’s more than 300 years old, beginning operations in the late 17th century. The port handles bulk and general cargo and 62.9 million metric tons of goods annually. 

Hazira Port

The Hazira Port is one of India's biggest import and export centers. It mainly handles petroleum and LNG harbors. This port is considered an advanced port, able to handle 1 million TEUs and 2.5 million tons of cargo. 

Cargo ports of arrival in UAE

Jebel Ali Port 

The Port of Jebel Ali is located 35 kilometers southwest of Dubai. It’s hailed as the world’s largest artificial harbor and is ranked the busiest and biggest port in the Middle East. It handles around 13.6 million TEUs per year. 

Khalifa Port 

The Khalifa Port is one of the most modern seaports in the world, boasting a semi-automated container terminal and other high-tech facilities. The port is going to see further development to expand its freight handling capacity. As of writing, it can accommodate 14.5 million TEUs per year. 

Khor Fakkan Port 

The Khor Fakkan Port is a crucial container hub in Sharjah. It’s the only port in the UAE sitting outside the Strait of Hormuz. The port has connections to a range of transit routes and outstanding facilities for more efficient handling of goods. It handles 3 million TEUs per year. 

Air Freight from India to UAE: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport serves Mumbai and its metropolitan region. It’s a popular airport for cargo shipments, with airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and more able to accommodate a wide range of goods. 

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport, simply known as the Delhi Airport, serves as the capital city of India. It’s located in Palam, Delhi, just 15 kilometers southwest of the New Delhi Railway Station. The airport is a hub for cargo airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, Go First, Jet Airways, and more. 

Chennai International Airport 

The Chennai International Airport serves Chennai, India's capital of Tamil Nadu. It is located 20 kilometers southwest of the city center. By international traffic, this airport is the fifth busiest in India and the third busiest in the world. 

Airports of arrival in UAE

Dubai International Airport

The Dubai International Airport serves the city of Dubai. It's the world’s busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic, but it also handles efficient cargo operations with its partner airlines, including Emirates, flydubai, FedEx Express, Jazeera Airways, and more. 

Abu Dhabi International Airport

The Abu Dhabi International Airport is the primary international airport serving Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital city. It boasts two runways for passenger and cargo flights and is a hub for Etihad Airways, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Air Arabia, and more. 

Al Maktoum International Airport 

The Al Maktoum International Airport, also called the Dubai World Central, is in Jebel Ali, 37 kilometers southwest of Dubai. It serves as a hub for various cargo airlines, including Flydubai and Emirates SkyCargo.