Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to the US

India and the USA have strong trade relationships. In 2022, India exported $85.5 billion in goods to the USA, a 16.7% increase from $12.2 billion the previous year. If you want to take advantage of this and ship your Indian goods to the USA, here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

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

Ocean Freight From India to the USA

Ocean freight is the most flexible and cost-effective mode of shipping freight from India to the USA. It allows you to choose between two container shipping options depending on your cargo's requirements and budget. These are less than container load and full container load. 

LCL is an economical way to ship small volumes of goods. Here, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers, so you only need to pay for the space your cargo occupies. 

On the other hand, FCL accommodates larger volumes of cargo. In FCL, you rent the space in an entire container for your goods alone, giving you more control and security for your shipment. 

Air Freight from India to the USA

Another way to ship goods from India to the USA is air freight. This shipping mode is the fastest way to get goods to their destination in two weeks at most. Air freight is also secure, with stricter airport regulations providing security for high-value goods. 

However, air freight is expensive because of higher fuel costs. Still, it’s a small price to pay if time is your priority.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From India to the USA?

The cost of shipping cargo from India to the USA will depend on a few 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

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 the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from India to the USA?

The transit time for goods shipped from India to the USA depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from India to the USA will take anywhere between 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from India to the USA will take 2 to 8 business days.

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

Customs Clearance in India and the USA

When your goods arrive in the USA, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This requires that you prepare and submit the following documents to US customs authorities: 

• 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

Look at our documents list for more information about these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Before you decide on a shipping option for your India to USA shipment, here are some things you need to consider to make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the best shipping option if you are on a budget. It’s economical and allows you to ship a range of cargo types. It also gives you the option of choosing between LCL and FCL shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Less than container load is ideal 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

Full container load may be the container shipping option 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

Air freight is for shippers who need to get their cargo to the USA fast. It’s also for those who need security for their cargo, such as those shipping high-value goods. It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get expensive. Plus, it has stricter regulations about what you can and cannot ship. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in India

Kandla Port

The Kandla Port in Gujarat, India, is close to the Special Economic Zone KASEZ, the first and biggest SEZ in Asia. The port is important for trading petroleum and gas from the Gulf as well as salt and textiles. 

Mumbai Port

The Mumbai Port is one of the most well-known ports in India. It has a long history dating back to 300 years ago, established in the 17th century. Today, the port handles general and bulk cargo, seeing 62.9 million metric tonnes annually. 

Hazira Port

The Hazira Port is one of India's biggest import and export centers. It is most notable for its role in petroleum and LNG trade. It’s also hailed as the most advanced port in the country. The Hazira Port handles 1 million TEUs per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the USA

Port Of Seattle

The Port of Seattle is the fifth-busiest port in the USA and the second-busiest on the West Coast. It’s a reliable transport hub to ship to East Asian countries. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the fastest-developing American port. It ranks seventh in the USA by total amount of cargo. The port handles 70% of the container traffic on the US Gulf Coast. 

Port Of Miami

The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the Panama Canal. This, along with other factors, makes it the only port in the US that can handle neo-Panamax vessels. 

Air Freight from India to the USA: An airport guide

Airports of origin in India

Chennai International Airport

The Chennai International Airport serves the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. It is the fifth busiest airport in the country, serving as a hub for ndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Alliance Air, and more. It handles 342.74 thousand metric tons of goods per year. 

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport serves Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is located 24 kilometers south of the city center. The airport handles 142.43 thousand metric tons of goods per year. 

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport 

The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport serves Kolkata, India, and its metropolitan region. It is considered the primary aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. The airport handles approximately 136.02 thousand metric tons of goods per year. 

Airports of arrival in the USA

John F Kennedy International Airport

The John F Kennedy International Airport serves the major US city of New York. It is considered the busiest of the seven airports in New York and the sixth busiest in the USA. The airport serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and more. 

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport serves the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex and the north of Texas. It is a hub for American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Envoy Air, and more, handling 3.9 billion points in freight annually. 

Oakland International Airport

The Oakland International Airport is located in Oakland, California, 7 miles south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles east of San Francisco. It primarily serves the east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The airport is a hub for popular courier FedEx Express.