iContainers is an online logistics platform optimized to help your business easily access the global trade environment. We digitalize international freight forwarding services to simplify global logistics & facilitate trade.
India and Hong Kong have always been strong trade partners. In 2021, Hong Kong imported a total of $11.2 billion worth of products, with the top products being diamonds, jewelry, and precious stones. India’s exports to Hong Kong have increased at an annualized rate of 6.94% in the last 26 years.
If you’re looking to ship hot commodities from India to Hong Kong, here are your shipping options and everything else you need to know.
To ship freight from India to Hong Kong, you can use either ocean or air freight.
Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from India to Hong Kong. It provides two shipping options: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL).
LCL is best for shippers shipping small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers, which allows them to achieve cost-efficiency by sharing the container cost with others. While it’s economical, LCL has long transit times.
On the other hand, FCL is for those shipping larger volumes of goods. FCL shippers pay for the space in an entire container unit, allowing them to utilize it solely for their shipments. FCL has faster transit times because of the lack of consolidation and deconsolidation processes. However, it can be more expensive than LCL.
Air freight is the fastest and most secure way to get goods from India to Hong Kong. Strict airport regulations and transport speed are ideal for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value shipments. However, air freight has more stringent restrictions and is more expensive than ocean freight.
The cost of shipping cargo from India to Hong Kong will depend on a variety of factors, including:
To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from India to Hong Kong in the table below:
TRADE LANE RATES
The duration for shipping goods from India to Hong Kong is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:
Shipping goods by sea from India to Hong Kong will take approximately 15 to 50 days.
Air freight from India to Hong Kong is much faster, and goods can be delivered to the destination airport in 2 to 8 days.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When your goods arrive in Hong Kong, they will first need to be cleared by customs authorities before they can be distributed in the country. This customs clearance process requires you to prepare and submit the following documents:
We have a complete list of documents you can refer to for examples of each customs clearance document.
Before you ship your goods from India to Hong Kong, you must choose the right mode of shipment for you: ocean freight or air freight. The right decision will depend on the nature of your goods and your priorities as a shipper.
Ocean freight is the top choice if you are looking for a relatively cheap way to get your goods from India to Hong Kong. It’s economical and reliable and can be a good option as long as you don’t mind longer transit times.
LCL is the right mode of ocean freight shipping for you if your cargo is:
On the other hand, you may be better off choosing to ship via FCL if your cargo is:
If speed and security are your priorities for your shipment, then you should go with air freight. Best for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value cargo, air freight can get your goods to Hong Kong within a matter of days, and stricter airport regulations can ensure the safety of your goods.
You should know, however, that air freight is more expensive than ocean shipping. There are also stricter rules about what cargo air freight can accommodate.
The Port Blair Port is the newest major port in India. It has made significant contributions to the Indian economy, accommodating a wide range of cargo and ships up to 500 feet in length. The port is a connection point between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
The Kolkata Port is called the Gateway of Eastern India. It is the main point of contact for cargo that arrives from Southeast Asia and Australia. The Kolkata Port is the busiest port for trading jute, steel, iron ore, copper, coal, tea, and leather.
The Tuticorin Port is located inside an artificial harbor. It is an all-weather port that handles large volumes of shipping traffic worldwide. Its main imports and exports are coal, petroleum, grain, salt, and cooking oil.
The Port of Hong Kong is located by the South China Sea. It is one of the business and most efficient container ports around the world, handling over 18 million TEUs per year. The port has 24 berths to handle the large container traffic.
The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport serves the largest city in North-East India, Guwahati. It is the region’s primary airport and is hailed as the 12th busiest in India. The port is mainly a hub for FlyBig and handles 22.82 thousand metric tons per year.
The Pune International Airport is an Indian Air Force base and international airport serving the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. It houses the IndiGo airlines, which helps it handle 39.37 thousand metric tons of cargo annually.
The Cochin International Airport serves the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. It is the first airport developed under a public-private partnership model in India. The airport is a hub for IndiGo and Air India Express, handling 56.77 thousand metric tons of cargo annually.
Since 1996, the Hong Kong International Airport has been hailed as the world’s busiest international cargo airport. It is located in Western Hong Kong on the island of Chek Lap Kok. It’s also called the Chek Lap Kok International Airport.
About Us
Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services with modern technological enhancements for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to give you the information you need.