Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to Nepal
Information and quote from India to Nepal for LCL, FCL and Air shipping
- Compare Thousands of Quotes from Multiple Carriers
- Trusted by 10,000+ Customers
- 40,000+ Tradelanes Covered Globally
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 Nepal share a unique geographical and historical bond that greatly influences their trade relationship. Both countries are nestled in the heart of South Asia, with the majestic Himalayas forming a natural border between them.
This proximity has fostered extensive economic and cultural ties over the centuries. India is Nepal's largest trading partner, a testament to their intertwined economies.
In 2021, imports from India to Nepal amounted to $9.4 billion, showcasing the significant volume of trade between the two neighbors. The main commodities that India exports to Nepal include refined petroleum, semi-finished iron products, and rice, essential for Nepal's consumption and industrial needs.
This trade dynamic not only underscores the economic interdependence of the two countries but also reflects the deep-rooted connections stemming from their shared geography and history.
If you are looking to ship from India to Nepal, you need to know everything you can about your ocean and air freight shipping options. We lay them all down for you in this article.
What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From India to Nepal?
Your options for shipping freight from India to Nepal are ocean freight and air freight.
Ocean Freight From India to Nepal
Ocean freight is the most flexible and budget-friendly way to ship goods from India to Nepal. It can accommodate virtually any type of cargo and offers economical rates. If you go with ocean freight, you will need to choose between less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL) shipping.
LCL involves the consolidation process, where your goods will be consolidated with items belonging to other shippers. This makes LCL cost-efficient as you only pay for the space your cargo occupies. But because you’re sharing the container space, you can only ship small volumes of cargo with LCL to reap its cost benefits.
On the other hand, in FCL, you pay for the space in an entire container for your cargo alone. This method gives you more control over your container shipment and ensures cargo security. However, FCL can be more expensive if you don’t maximize the container space.
Air Freight from India to Nepal
Air freight is popular because of its speed. It’s the fastest way to ship goods from India to Nepal, taking just a few days to complete. It’s also the most secure because it has strict airport regulations, making it ideal for high-value goods.
One disadvantage of air freight is its cost. While the fastest, it’s also the most expensive shipping option. It’s also less flexible than ocean freight and cannot accommodate all cargo types.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From India to Nepal?
The cost of shipping cargo from India to Nepal depends on various 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 deliveries
- Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
- Weight and size limits
How long does it take to ship cargo from India to Nepal?
The mode of shipping you choose, whether ocean freight or air freight, will be the primary factor that dictates transit times.
How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from India to Nepal?
Ocean freight from India to Nepal takes anywhere between 90 to 120 days. The table below shows more precise estimates.
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost from India to Nepal for a 20-foot Container
Customs Clearance in India and Nepal
Once your goods arrive in Nepal, they are not officially imported until they go through customs clearance. In this step, your shipment needs to have 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
See our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements.
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
The choice between ocean freight and air freight will primarily depend on your needs as a shipper and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some things to consider to help you make the right decision.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is ideal for those shipping large volumes of cargo and certain cargo types that air freight cannot accommodate. It is very flexible and will have a shipping solution tailored to your needs. It’s also cost-effective and suitable for frequent shippers or those on a tight budget.
If you decide to go for ocean freight, you’ll also need to decide whether to ship with LCL or FCL.
Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping
LCL is best 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
- Not expected in Nepal at a specified time
Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping
Your shipment may be more suited for 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
- Expected to arrive in Nepal at a specified time
Air Freight
If time is of the essence and you want your shipment to arrive in Nepal as soon as possible, air freight is your best bet. It’s also ideal if you’re shipping high-value, time-sensitive, or perishable items because of its increased security.
However, remember that air freight cannot accommodate all cargo types. It has restrictions on cargo type, volume, size, and weight. Air freight is also quite expensive, so crunch the numbers on your budget before opting for this shipping option.
Ocean Cargo Port Guide
Cargo ports of origin in India
Tuticorin Port
The Tuticorin Port, also known as the V.O. Chidambaranar port, is the fourth-largest container terminal in India. It’s renowned primarily for its role in trading coal, oil, sugar, and petroleum products.
Chennai Port
The Chennai Port, which used to be called the Madras Port, is the second-largest container port in India. It’s, however, the largest port in the Bay of Bengal. The port made its debut in 1983 and, since then, has been instrumental in the trading of automobiles, iron ore, coal, petroleum products, granite, and fertilizers.
Kamarajar Port
The Kamarajar Port, formerly the Ennore Port, is India's first and only corporatized major port. It’s one of the country's major ports, ranking at number 12. The port primarily deals with coal, iron ore, and petroleum shipments.
Cargo ports of arrival in Nepal
Kankarbhitta Port
The Kankarbhitta Port in Mechinagar Municipality, Jhapa District, Nepal, is the main entry point for goods coming from India on Nepal’s eastern border. It’s the 7th largest border crossing point, having a 2.72% share of total import value.
Surkhet Port
The Surkhet Port is a multipurpose port in Nepal located in the city of Surkhet. The port is situated on the Karnali River, serving as a gateway to Nepal’s far-western region. It has connections to Nepal’s road and railway networks.
Rumjatar Port
The Rumjatar Port is located on the southeastern coast of Nepal. It’s considered one of the country’s major economic hubs and is hailed as one of the busiest ports in the country.
Air Freight from India to Nepal: An airport guide
Airports of origin in India
Chennai International Airport
The Chennai International Airport is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It serves the city of Chennai and its metropolitan area. The airport is the fifth-busiest in India by traffic. It is a hub for cargo airlines like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Alliance Air, and more.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is an international airport located in Shamshabad. It serves Hyderabad and was built in 2008 to replace the Begumpet Airport. It’s a hub for cargo airlines like SpiceJet, Alliance Air, Amazon Air, TruJet, JetLite, Blue Dart Aviation, and Flyington Freighters.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is an international airport in Kolkata, India. It serves Kolkata and its metropolitan region. Considered eastern and northeastern India’s primary aviation hub, the airport houses cargo airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, Alliance Air, Indian Airlines, Zooom Air, Blue Dart Aviation, Zav Airways, and Airways (India).
Airports of arrival in Nepal
Bhadrapur Airport
The Bhadrapur Airport, also called the Chandragadi Airport, is a domestic airport in Bhadrapur, Nepal. It serves the areas of Jhapa, Ilam, and Koshi Province. The airport has an elevation of 94 m.
Rumjatar Airport
The Rumjatar Airport is a domestic airport in Rumtajar, Nepal. It serves the Okhaldhunga District in the Koshi province. The airport has an elevation of 1,372 m.
Tribhuvan International Airport
The Tribhuvan International Airport is an international airport in Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal. It is the main international airport in the country, connecting Nepal to over 40 destinations in 17 countries.
About Us
Why Ship From India to Nepal With iContainers?
Why Us?
Shipping from India to Nepal is rife with opportunities. But the process itself can be complex. Work with iContainers to get your goods from India to Nepal seamlessly. Our digital platform allows you to manage the entire shipping process from your mobile device, from requesting a quote and starting an order to tracking your cargo and contacting customer service.
Learn more about iContainers and how we can help you ship from India to Nepal on our website.
