Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to India

The United States and India are two of the world’s largest democracies. Of course, they share a strong bilateral trade relationship grounded on diverse markets and mutual economic interests. The flow of goods from the US to India is strong, encompassing industries including agriculture, textiles, defense, and technology.

In 2022, the US exported $48.5 billion worth of goods to India, including crude petroleum, coal briquettes, and diamonds.

If you are looking to ship goods from the US to India, it pays to be aware of how the shipping process works, starting with your ocean and air freight shipping options.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to India?

You have two options for freight shipping from the US to India. These are ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to India

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option because of its affordability and flexibility. This mode of shipping can transport any type of cargo, whether large, small, light, or heavy. It even gives you two options for container shipping, including less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is used for small shipments. Here, goods belonging to different shippers are consolidated and transported together in one container. Each shipper will only have to pay for the space their goods occupy, making LCL highly economical for shipping small goods.

FCL is used by shippers with larger shipments. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more cargo space, control, and security. Although for expensive than LCL, FCL can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized.

Air Freight from the United States to India

The other way you can ship goods from the US to India is by air. This is the fastest mode of international shipping, able to get cargo to its destination in only a matter of days. It’s also the most secure, thanks to stricter airport processes and regulations.

Air freight is best for time-sensitive, perishable, or high-value cargo.

However, it does come with its cons. First, air freight can get expensive, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. Second, it’s not as flexible either, with strict limits on your cargo's type, size, weight, and volume.

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

The cost to ship cargo from the US to India will depend on a couple of 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

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 the US to India:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Italy?

The time it takes to ship goods from the US to India largely depends on the selected international shipping mode. However, the following factors also play a role:

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship
• Whether the shipment route is direct
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical instability
• Incidents that might occur at ports

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

Ocean freight from the US to India will take about 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight is much faster, with US air shipments to India taking as little as 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and India

Once your goods arrive in India, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. This will require the following paperwork from you:

• 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 each customs clearance requirement, refer to our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean freight or air freight will depend on your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you decide.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for shippers on a budget or those whose cargo requires flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to get to India and even offers you two options for container shipping so you can optimize your shipment.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable 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

Choose 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 goods need to arrive in India fast, then you should go with air freight. This is the fastest mode of international shipping, making it best for goods that are time-sensitive or perishable. It’s also the most secure, perfect for high-value goods that need extra protection from airport security.

Before settling for air freight, though, make sure you know about its disadvantages. Air freight costs significantly more than ocean freight but is less flexible and unable to accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles 60% of all grain cargo in the Midwest. It’s among the US's biggest and most widespread ports, spreading over 54 miles. The port handles over 248.1 million short tonnes of cargo.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi handles over 200 million tonnes of cargo per year. It’s popular because of its energy conservation blueprint. It has a 1500 PSI bearing capacity, standing as the strongest among the Gulf ports.

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is located in San Pedro Bay, which is about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It’s North America’s busiest container facility, ranked number one in the Western Hemisphere. The port handles over 8.6 million TEUs per year.

Cargo ports of arrival in India

Nhava Sheva Port

The Nhava Sheva Port is one of India’s busiest container ports. It has an annual traffic of over 5.05 million TEUs. It’s among the ports in the World’s Top 30 Seaports list. The port is responsible for over 56% of India’s container traffic.

Kolkata Port

The Kolkata Port is the fourth biggest port in India. It has an annual container traffic of 796,000 TEUs. The port is named the Gateway of Eastern India and was the first major port in the country. It mostly handles the trade of jute and is a major importer of heavy machinery, paper, crude oil, and fertilizers.

Chennai Port

The Chennai Port is India’s third-biggest port. It has an annual traffic of 1.5 million TEU. It’s also one of the oldest ports in India, and it is the location of the country's first dedicated container terminal.

Air Freight from the United States to India: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the US and among the busiest in the whole world. It’s in the US state of Alaska, a prime location to accept domestic and international shipments.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the US’ third busiest cargo airport. It plays an important role in the city’s economy and is responsible for over 14,000 jobs in the Louisville region. The port is home to the UPS Worldport, one of the largest package sorting facilities in the world.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the fifth busiest cargo airport in the US, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is home to over 50 cargo carriers with flights to over 60 destinations. The airport has a range of major warehouses and logistical facilities.

Airports of arrival in India

Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport that serves the capital city of India, New Delhi. It is located in Palam, 16 kilometers from the New Delhi city center. The airport handles a whopping 1 million metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport serves Mumbai, the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It serves as a hub for IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and more. The airport handles over 822,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Kempegowda International Airport

The Kempegowda International Airport serves Bengaluru, the capital city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It’s about 35 kilometers north of the city, close to the Devanahalli suburb. The airport handles over 439.5 thousand metric tonnes of freight per year.

Why Ship From the United States to India With iContainers?

Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, such as the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
With extensive experience in the industry, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services integrated with cutting-edge technology for your convenience. Our digital platform lets you handle your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.

Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always here to provide the information you need.