Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the US to India

In 2022, goods and services trade between the U.S. and India was valued at $191.8 billion. In the same year, the U.S. exported $73.0 billion worth of goods to India. If you want to take advantage of the strong trade ties between these countries, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we provide a complete guide on ocean and air freight shipping from the U.S. to India. 

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

Freight shipping from the U.S. to India can be done via ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the US to India

Ocean freight is the most flexible and economical shipping mode from the U.S. to India. It offers shippers two container shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

In LCL, your goods will be consolidated with shipments from other shippers. This method allows you to achieve cost efficiency, as you only need to pay for the space your goods occupy in the container. LCL is the cheapest way to get cargo from the U.S. to India, but it also has the longest transit times. 

Alternatively, you can ship via FCL, where you rent the space in an entire unit. This allows you to ship larger cargo and have more security and control over your shipment. FCL, however, is more expensive. But that’s offset by faster transit times. 

Air Freight from the US to India

Air freight is the fastest and most secure way to get goods from the U.S. to India. Thanks to stricter airport regulations, shippers can rest assured that air freight can safely handle time-sensitive and high-value cargo. However, air freight is expensive and has more stringent regulations when it comes to what you can and cannot ship. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the U.S. to India 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

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from US to India:

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

Shipping goods from the US 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 the US to India?

Ocean freight from the U.S. to India can take an average of 15 to 50 days. 

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

Air freight from the U.S. to India is considerably faster, only requiring 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the US and India

When your U.S. goods arrive in India, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. You will be required 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

You can take a look at our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance documentation requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight should be made considering your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some tips to help you come to the right decision.

Ocean Freight

If your priority is cost savings, ocean freight might be the right method for you. This is the most economical way to get goods from the U.S. to India. Ocean freight is also highly flexible, accommodating all sorts of cargo. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL shipping 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 right ocean freight shipping mode 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 want your cargo to arrive in India quickly, you should engage air freight services. This mode of shipment is also great if you’re shipping high-value and time-sensitive goods because of stricter airport regulations that translate to more cargo security. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get expensive.

If this still sounds like your preferred method, the last step is to ensure that your cargo can be accommodated by air freight as it has more stringent rules on the nature of goods that can or cannot be shipped by air. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the US

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign trade tonnage handling port in the United States. Globally, it is ranked as the 10th busiest port facility. The port handles 284.9 million metric tonnes of cargo movement per year. 

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana ranks next to the Port of Houston regarding overall cargo tonnage. Moreover, it handles 60% of all grain cargo handling in the Midwest. Every year, it sees a volume of 238 million metric tonnes of cargo handling. 

Port of New York, NY, and NJ

The Port of New York, NY, and NJ occupies the coastal area of the New York Harbour with a facility that spans 25 miles. It is the largest natural harbor in the world. The port handles 136.6 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in India

New Mangalore Port

The New Mangalore Port is located where the Gurupura River connects with the Arabian Sea in Panambur, Karnataka. It began as a small port that only accommodated small boats. However, it has been expanded to cater to larger ships and handle shipments of coffee, tea, oil, fertilizers, and more.  

Mormugao Port 

The Mormugao Port is located in Alto Desterro, Mormugao, Goa. It is India’s major iron ore exporter port and the first of its kind to be developed in the country. The most common commodities handled here include cotton, manganese, iron ores, and coconuts. 

Ennore Port

The Ennore Port, now known as Kamarajar Port Limited, is located near the Chennai Port in India. This port is the country’s first corporate seaport and is one of the most easily accessible, thanks to road connections and railways. 

Air Freight from the US to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the US

Ted Stevens Anchorage International

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the major airport in Alaska, located in Anchorage. It is a hub for various passenger and cargo airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Atlas Air, FedEx Express, Polar Air Cargo, Ravn Alaska, and UPS Airlines. The port handles 25 billion metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Memphis International

The Memphis International Airport is a civil-miliary airport in Downtown Memphis, Shelby Country, Tennessee. It houses Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, SeaPort Airlines, and more and handles 24 billion tonnes of cargo annually. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, also known as the Louisville International Airport, is a civil-military airport in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. It is a hub for UPS Airlines, Republic Airways, Chautauqua Airlines, and Vision Airlines. The airport handles 17 billion metric tonnes of goods per year. 

Airports of arrival in India

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport 

The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport serves the largest city in North-East India, Guwahati. It is also the country’s 12th busiest airport. It’s a primary hub for FlyBig, which helps it handle 22.82 thousand metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Pune International Airport

The Pune International Airport is an international airport and Indian Air Force base. It serves the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India. The airport is the primary hub for the IndiGo airlines and handles 39.37 thousand metric tonnes of cargo annually. 

Cochin International Airport 

The Cochin International Airport serves the city of Kochi, Kerala, India. It is a hub for IndiGo, Air India Express, Air Kerala, and Deccan Charters. The airport handles 57.77 thousand metric tonnes of freight per year.