Shipping from the US to India plays a crucial role in supporting trade between the two nations. Key exports include mineral fuels, precious stones, aircraft, and machinery. Understanding the logistics and methods available is essential for businesses looking to export goods efficiently. In this guide, we explore various options for shipping from the US to India.
Shipping from the US to India – modes of transport
Airfreight from the US to India
Shipping from the US to India is the most expensive and is typically cost-effective only in specific scenarios. For instance, certain products cannot endure over 60 days in transit, as they may expire in the meantime. Air freight becomes essential for delivering time-sensitive goods, like perishable items such as food or flowers. Additionally, cargo requiring urgent delivery, such as pharmaceuticals or medical equipment, should be shipped by air.
Air transport is also preferred for high-value goods, such as vehicles or jewelry, due to its high safety standards. Air travel is statistically the least prone to accidents compared to sea freight and other transportation modes.
Nevertheless, air freight comes at a steep price. Evaluate whether the urgency or nature of your cargo justifies the cost of air transport.
Main cargo airports in the US
- Louisville International Airport (SDF)
- Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
Main cargo airports in India
- Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru / Bangalore International Airport (BLR)
- Indira Gandhi International Airport / New Delhi Airport (DEL)
- Chennai International Airport (MAA)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport / Mumbai International Airport (BOM)
Sea freight from the US to India
India and the US are strategically positioned to facilitate maritime transport between them, making sea freight the most popular method for shipping goods in international trade. Operators often favor this option due to its:
- high cargo capacity
- ability to handle containerized goods
- relatively low costs.
Shipping by sea from India to the US is the most economical method, capable of handling nearly all types of cargo. However, it does come with the trade-off of longer transit times, ranging from approximately 28 to 67 days.
Main cargo seaports in the US
- Oakland
- Los Angeles
- Newark
- Long Beach
- Tacoma
Main cargo seaports in India
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust
- Kolkata Port Trust
- Mundra Port Trust
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust
- Chennai Port Trust
Shipping costs from India to the US
Shipping costs from the US to India are influenced by several factors. These include the mode of transport, the cargo’s characteristics (such as size and type), as well as the specific route and distance. Additionally, the choice of forwarder will impact the overall price.
To ensure you get the best deal, it’s advisable to compare multiple offers from different forwarders. You can conveniently do this using ShipHub. Simply fill out the form on the platform’s main page, as demonstrated in the image below. This will allow you to receive detailed quotes from a range of available forwarders for your shipment.
