In recent years, India has been rising among developing countries. As one of the fastest developing and newly industrialized countries, India was the 10th biggest exporter. Germany is one of the largest trade partners with India, with total exports reaching $12.4 billion in 2022. In terms of shipping from India to Germany, there are two modes of transport available – ocean shipping and air shipping.
Shipping from India to Germany
Ocean freight from India to Germany
Ocean freight is the most popular and cheapest option for shipping from India to Germany. It is a great method for exporters who value low total costs over shipping time. However, when deciding on ocean freight as the shipment method, we need to keep in mind that it is not ideal for some goods. For example, products with short expiry dates or requiring strict safety measures should not be shipped by ocean freight.
How long does ocean shipping from India to Germany take?
Ocean freight shipping from India to Germany takes up to 36 days. The shipping time can be affected by the destination and the number of ports on the way.
See the major seaports of both India and Germany on the maps below.
Main seaports in India:
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust – Nhava Sheva (JNPT)
- Port of Kolkata – Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust (KoPT)
- V. O. Chidambaranar Port (VOCP)
- Port of Chennai
- Port of Mundra
Main seaports in Germany:
- Hamburg Port
- Port of Rostock
- Port of Emden
- Port of Bremen
- Port of Duisburg
- Port of Wilhelmshaven
Airfreight from India to Germany
Airfreight is the second most popular option for shipping goods from India to Germany. It is safer, more reliable, and much faster than ocean freight. However, that comes with a price. Usually, we will end up paying much more for airfreight than for the same amount of goods sent by ocean freight.
How long does air freight from India to Germany take?
The estimated time is 2-6 days, depending on the location from which the goods are sent and the destination.
See the maps below to check the locations of major airports in both countries.
Main airports in India:
- Chennai Airport
- Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
- Bengaluru International Airport
Main airports in Germany:
- Frankfurt Airport
- Munich Airport
- Dusseldorf Airport
- Hamburg Airport
- Stuttgart Airport
How much does it cost to ship from India to Germany?
Shipping costs on such long distances vary depending on many factors, mode of transport being one of them. Freight forwarders also charge for their services. It is important to set some time aside to find a reliable freight forwarder that provides the best quote. ShipHub.co is a website that makes it easy and time efficient. See the examples below.
Shipping from India to Germany – to sum up
When shipping from India to Germany, start by picking the best form of transport for the goods. The choice may vary depending on the product’s size, weight, and value. Secondly, check offers from different forwarders, which will help compare the estimated costs. You can do it easily by using Shiphub.
Shipping a product from another continent can be intimidating; however, with the help of a reliable freight forwarder, it is not so difficult.
