Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Indonesia to India

Indonesia and India have close cultural and commercial ties. Their vibrant tapestry of cultural and commercial relations dates back to the first century AD. These deep-rooted connections stem from historical maritime trade, shared cultural narratives in arts and literature, and mutual respect for diverse traditions.

Thanks to this, they have abundant trade relationships. In fact, Indonesia is India’s second-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade in 2023 amounting to $38.84 billion. 

The major imports by India from Indonesia include coal, coke, briquettes, vegetable oils, iron and steel, bulk minerals and ores, cosmetics, and toiletries.

If you need to ship commodities from Indonesia to India, here’s your complete ocean and air freight shipping guide. 

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

To ship freight from Indonesia to India, you can choose between ocean freight and air freight depending on your needs and the nature of your cargo. 

Ocean Freight From Indonesia to India

Ocean freight is the most economical and flexible shipping mode from Indonesia to India. It allows shippers to choose between two options: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is ideal for shippers shipping small goods. To make the shipping process more cost-efficient, LCL allows shippers to share the space in one container. The goods are consolidated with each other, so the shipper only pays for the space their cargo occupies. 

On the other hand, FCL is for shippers shipping larger goods. They rent the space in an entire container, allowing them to enjoy more space and a safer shipping experience. 

Air Freight from Indonesia to India

Air freight is the fastest and most secure shipping option. Because of strict airport regulations, it is best for high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable cargo. However, air freight has limitations as to what you can ship. It’s also the most expensive mode of shipping from Indonesia to India. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Indonesia to India will depend on various factors, including: 

• 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 [PLACE] to [PLACE]:

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

Shipping goods from Indonesia to India varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

The transit time for ocean freight from Indonesia to India is 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from Indonesia to India can take as little as 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Indonesia and India

When your Indonesian goods arrive in India, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This step requires you to prepare and 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

If you need examples of these documents, check out our full list here. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean freight and air freight for your shipment, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and the specifics of your cargo. Here are some tips to help you decide. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the ideal mode of shipment for you if you’re looking for flexibility and cost-efficiency. It can accommodate a range of cargo types and sizes without burning a hole in your wallet. Ocean freight gives you the option of choosing between LCL and FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is best for cargo that 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, on the other hand, might be better 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 goal in your shipment is speed and security, then we recommend going from air freight. Air freight has stricter regulations, making it ideal for high-value and sensitive cargo. It doesn’t accommodate all types of goods, though. Air freight is also the most expensive shipping option, so make sure to take that into account before opting for it. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Indonesia

Port of Jakarta

The Port of Jakarta serves the largest city in Indonesia and is the country’s principal port. It boasts 20 terminals that can accommodate containers, general cargo, liquid and dry bulk, and more than 80 berths. 

Port of Belawan

The Port of Belawan sevens Medan in North Sumatra, Indoniesia. It’s Indonesia’s busiest port facility, handling 12,000,000 tonnes of general cargo, bulk, and oil exports per year. 

Port of Dumai

The Port of Fumai is a crude oil shipment port. It’s within close proximity to an oil refinery and has facilities for handling general cargo and exports of rice, fertilizers, and logs. It handles 7,000,000 tonnes of cargo annually. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

Kolkata Port

The Kolkata Port is the fourth-busiest in India, handling 796,000 TEUs per year. It is called the “Gateway of Eastern India” because of its role in managing cargo arriving from Southeast Asia and Australia. 

V.O. Chidambaranar Port 

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port, also known as Tuticorin Port, is an all-weather port with the fourth-largest container terminal in India. It handles 698,000 TEUs per year, and its main imports and exports include salt, grain, coal, petroleum, and cooking oil. 

Kandla Port 

The Kandla Port is one of the oldest ports in India, with operations dating back to the 1950s. It was also the country’s first processing port. Because of its long history, the Kandla Port is the biggest container port in India by cargo and value of shipments moved. 

Air Freight from Indonesia to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Indonesia

Soekarno Hatta International Airport 

The Soekarno Hatta International Airport is located 20 kilometers to the northwest of central Jakarta. In 2019, it opened a third runway to accommodate more shipments. Plans are underway to boost the cargo-handling capacity of the airport. 

Ngurah Rai International Airport

The Ngurah Rai International Airport is located 13 kilometers south of Denpasar in Bali. It is hailed as Indonesia’s second-busiest airport and can accommodate wide-body aircraft. 

Juanda International Airport

The Juanda International Airport is located 12 kilometers from Surabaya in Eastern Java. It is the third-busiest airport in Indonesia, handling around 120,000 tons of cargo per year. The airport has a two-story terminal dedicated to freight shipping. 

Airports of arrival in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 16 kilometers from the New Delhi city center. There are no direct flights between Indonesia and New Delhi, so shipping your goods to this airport will require you to use its road and railroad access. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is an airport in Mumbai. It has large-scale freight operations, with dedicated freight teams handling one million tonnes of cargo per year. The airport can accommodate five wide-body airplanes at once. 

Kempegowda International Airport

The Kempegowda International Airport is 40 kilometers south of Bangalore. It has two runways and three terminals dedicated to cargo operations. Shipping from Jakarta to Bangalore is considered one of the quickest ways to transport goods from Indonesia to India.