Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the US to India

Shipping from the United States to India is common for commercial cargo across industrial supply chains, especially machinery, electronics, energy-related equipment, aerospace components, chemicals, and retail inventory. Because India’s import procedures can vary by commodity (and by mode), the fastest way to prevent delays is to align your shipping mode, documents, and importer readiness before booking.

On the macro level, the U.S. and India continue to expand trade activity. According to the latest official U.S. trade summary, U.S. goods and services trade with India totaled an estimated $212.3 billion in 2024. Source: USTR — India trade summary.

If you’re moving cargo into India, note that import activity generally requires an Importer–Exporter Code (IEC) for the Indian importing entity unless exempt. Source: DGFT — IEC profile management.

This page explains your freight options (ocean, air, and air express), typical transit time ranges, and the customs/documentation basics to plan before you ship from the US to India.

US–India Freight Options at a Glance

Shipping from the United States to India 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 the US to India?

Shippers moving cargo from the United States to India generally choose between three freight options:

Ocean Freight From the US to India

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

Air Freight from the US to India

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 the US to India

Air Express shipping is designed for parcels, documents, and small shipments that require fast, door-to-door delivery with simplified handling. See how it compares in Air Express Shipping.

US–India Shipping Mode Comparison

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?

Transit times on the US–India 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 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: 
Customs clearance applies to both air and ocean shipments moving between the United States and India. 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 permits/approvals (commodity-dependent)

For imports into India, the importing entity typically needs an Importer–Exporter Code (IEC) unless exempt. See DGFT — What is IEC. Many filing and status workflows in India are handled through the customs portal. See ICEGATE — Indian Customs National Trade Portal.

For document examples and templates, review Air Freight Shipping Documents and the general Shipping Documents.

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.

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.