Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From India to the US
Information and quote from India to the US for LCL, FCL and Air shipping
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India and the United States have a strong and expanding trade relationship, supported by major flows across manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, retail, and industrial supply chains.
According to the latest U.S. trade summary, U.S. goods and services trade with India totaled an estimated $212.3 billion in 2024.
If you’re shipping cargo from India to the United States, this guide explains the main freight options (ocean freight, air freight, and air express), how transit times and costs differ by mode, and the key customs and documentation considerations to plan before booking.
India–US Freight Options at a Glance
Shipping from India to the United States usually involves choosing between ocean freight and air freight, depending on shipment size, urgency, and cost sensitivity.
- Ocean Freight: Most cost-efficient for large, heavy, or non-urgent cargo
- Air Freight: Faster option for time-sensitive or high-value shipments
- Air Express: Expedited, door-to-door service for parcels and small boxes
Most shippers compare speed, cost, and shipment volume before selecting a transport mode on this trade lane.
What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From India to the USA?
Shippers moving cargo from India to the United States generally choose between three freight options:
Ocean Freight From India to the USA
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective option for large or heavy shipments where transit time is flexible.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Ideal for full container volumes or regular shipments
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Suitable for smaller loads sharing container space
Learn more about container options in Ocean Freight FCL and Ocean Freight LCL.
Air Freight from India to the USA
Air freight prioritizes speed and reliability and is commonly used for high-value, time-critical, or low-volume cargo. Pricing is typically based on chargeable weight (actual vs volumetric). You can estimate costs using the Air Freight Calculator.
Air Express from India to the USA
iContainers’ Air Express is designed for parcels, documents, and small shipments that require fast, door-to-door delivery with simplified handling.
India–US Shipping Mode Comparison
| Factor | Ocean Freight | Air Freight | Air Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical transit | 15–50 days | 2–8 business days | 1–5 business days |
| Cost per unit | Lowest | Higher | Highest |
| Shipment size | Large / heavy cargo | Medium to large pallets | Parcels & small boxes |
| Best for | Cost efficiency | Speed + reliability | Urgent deliveries |
| Customs process | Port-based | Airport-based | Courier-led |
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From India to the USA?
The cost of shipping cargo from India to the USA will depend on a few 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 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 India to the US:
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost from the United States to the United Kingdom for a 20-foot Container
How long does it take to ship cargo from India to the USA?
The transit time for goods shipped from India to the USA depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:
- The shipping season (peak or low)
- Direct or indirect shipment route
- The trade lane's popularity
- Geopolitical instability
- Potential incidents at ports
Transit times on the India–US trade lane vary significantly by transport mode:
- Air Freight: typically 2–8 business days, depending on routing, capacity, and customs processing
- Air Express: typically 1–5 business days for parcels and urgent shipments
- Ocean Freight: typically 15–50 days, depending on port pairs, vessel schedules, and inland connections
For lane-specific timing expectations and seasonal variability, use the Transit Time Calculator.
Customs Clearance in India and the USA
Customs clearance applies to both air and ocean shipments moving between India and the United States. While processing locations differ, core requirements are similar:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Correct HS codes and declared values
- Transport document (Air Waybill for air shipments, Bill of Lading for ocean shipments)
- Any required licenses or certificates (depending on commodity)
For ocean shipments into the U.S., importers may also need to comply with Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) rules where applicable. See CBP guidance and iContainers overview: ISF Filing (10+2).
Review air requirements in Air Freight Shipping Documents, ocean documentation in Ocean Freight Shipping Documents, and use the general checklist in the Documents List.
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Before you decide on a shipping option for your India to USA shipment, here are some things you need to consider to make the right decision.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is the best shipping option if you are on a budget. It’s economical and allows you to ship a range of cargo types. It also gives you the option of choosing between LCL and FCL shipping.
Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping
Less than container load is ideal 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
Full container load may be the container shipping option 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
Air freight is for shippers who need to get their cargo to the USA fast. It’s also for those who need security for their cargo, such as those shipping high-value goods. It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get expensive. Plus, it has stricter regulations about what you can and cannot ship.
Ocean Cargo Port Guide
Cargo ports of origin in India
Kandla Port
The Kandla Port in Gujarat, India, is close to the Special Economic Zone KASEZ, the first and biggest SEZ in Asia. The port is important for trading petroleum and gas from the Gulf as well as salt and textiles.
Mumbai Port
The Mumbai Port is one of the most well-known ports in India. It has a long history dating back to 300 years ago, established in the 17th century. Today, the port handles general and bulk cargo, seeing 62.9 million metric tonnes annually.
Hazira Port
The Hazira Port is one of India's biggest import and export centers. It is most notable for its role in petroleum and LNG trade. It’s also hailed as the most advanced port in the country. The Hazira Port handles 1 million TEUs per year.
Cargo ports of arrival in the USA
Port Of Seattle
The Port of Seattle is the fifth-busiest port in the USA and the second-busiest on the West Coast. It’s a reliable transport hub to ship to East Asian countries.
Port of Houston
The Port of Houston is the fastest-developing American port. It ranks seventh in the USA by total amount of cargo. The port handles 70% of the container traffic on the US Gulf Coast.
Port Of Miami
The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the Panama Canal. This, along with other factors, makes it the only port in the US that can handle neo-Panamax vessels.
Air Freight from India to the USA: An airport guide
Airports of origin in India
Chennai International Airport
The Chennai International Airport serves the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. It is the fifth busiest airport in the country, serving as a hub for ndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Alliance Air, and more. It handles 342.74 thousand metric tons of goods per year.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport serves Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is located 24 kilometers south of the city center. The airport handles 142.43 thousand metric tons of goods per year.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport serves Kolkata, India, and its metropolitan region. It is considered the primary aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. The airport handles approximately 136.02 thousand metric tons of goods per year.
Airports of arrival in the USA
John F Kennedy International Airport
The John F Kennedy International Airport serves the major US city of New York. It is considered the busiest of the seven airports in New York and the sixth busiest in the USA. The airport serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and more.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport serves the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex and the north of Texas. It is a hub for American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Envoy Air, and more, handling 3.9 billion points in freight annually.
Oakland International Airport
The Oakland International Airport is located in Oakland, California, 7 miles south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles east of San Francisco. It primarily serves the east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The airport is a hub for popular courier FedEx Express.
Planning costs? Estimate scenarios using the Freight Cost Calculator.
Shipping by air? Compare options with the Air Freight Calculator.
Unsure about documents? Check our Air Freight Shipping Documents and Ocean Freight Shipping Documents pages for more information.
Need timing estimates? Use the Transit Time Calculator.
AI-Powered Freight Services at iContainers
Shipping between India and the US involves frequent rate fluctuations and capacity shifts. iContainers uses AI to analyze lane-specific pricing signals, carrier behavior, and market demand in real time. This results in more accurate and stable freight quotes. Discover AI-powered trade lane pricing built for dynamic Asia trade routes.
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Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Get Started
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Choose air freight when:
- Delivery speed is critical
- Cargo value is high relative to weight
- Stock-outs or production delays must be avoided
Choose ocean freight when:
- Cost optimization is the priority
- Cargo is heavy or bulky
- Transit time flexibility exists
Many businesses use ocean freight for planned inventory movements and air freight for urgent or exception shipments on the same trade lane.
