Shipping from USA to India
Export freight from the USA to India's major ports. Aircraft parts, chemicals, medical devices, and more — with Indian customs clearance, ICEGATE filing, and door-to-door delivery.
Why Suaid Global — USA to India
Indian Customs Expertise
Indian customs (ICEGATE system, Bill of Entry filing) is complex and heavily regulated. Our Indian customs broker partners manage all documentation, BIS certifications, and government agency clearances for US exports to India.
Indian Duty Structure
India's basic customs duty on manufactured goods ranges from 7.5% to 30%+, plus GST (IGST at 12–28%), making total landed costs significant. We calculate pre-shipment landed cost for every corridor.
Growing US–India Trade
US–India bilateral trade exceeds $190 billion annually and is growing. We support US exporters navigating India's import regulatory environment with dedicated expertise in defense, pharma, and technology sectors.
Shipping Modes & Transit Times
Ocean FCL
25–35 days
Ideal For: Machinery, aircraft parts, chemicals, and bulk export cargo to India
Ocean LCL
30–42 days
Ideal For: Smaller commercial exports, spare parts, and mixed cargo under 15 CBM
Air Freight
4–7 days
Ideal For: Medical devices, IT equipment, defense components, and high-value cargo
Main Ports on This Route
🇺🇸 Origin Ports
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of New York/New Jersey
- Port of Houston
🇮🇳 Destination Ports
- JNPT / Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)
- Port of Chennai
- Mundra Port
- Port of Kolkata
Common Cargo on This Lane
Customs & Documentation Requirements
US exports to India require AES/EEI filing for shipments over $2,500 or requiring export licenses. Indian customs requires: Bill of Entry (BE) filed through ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI system) by a licensed Indian customs broker/clearing agent; Import License if goods are on the restricted list under India's Import Policy; BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification for many regulated products (electronics, chemicals, toys, etc.); FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority) approval for food products; CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) approval for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. All imports must be declared in the Bill of Entry against the correct ITC-HS code.
Current Tariff Information
India's import duty structure includes: Basic Customs Duty (BCD): typically 7.5–30% on manufactured goods, higher on some consumer goods (electronics appliances: 20%; automobiles: 100%+); Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS): 10% of BCD; Integrated GST (IGST): 5–28% applied on CIF + BCD + SWS; total effective duty can range from 20% to 60%+ for many goods. No US–India FTA is in force. GSP benefits for India were suspended from the US side in 2019. Defense equipment may benefit from offset agreements or government-to-government procurement programs that modify standard duty treatment.
Tariff rates are subject to change. The information above is for general guidance only. Contact our customs team for a precise duty calculation for your specific HTS code and shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from the USA to India take?
Ocean freight from the USA to India takes 25–35 days. From Los Angeles to JNPT (Mumbai): approximately 25–28 days on trans-Pacific services via Suez. From New York to Mumbai: 28–35 days on North Atlantic/Indian Ocean routing. Air freight from US airports to Mumbai, Delhi, or Chennai takes 4–7 days. Indian customs clearance adds 3–10 days depending on the goods category and any required additional certifications.
What are the main US goods exported to India?
The USA's top exports to India include: aircraft and parts (India's aviation sector is booming with major Airbus and Boeing orders), defense equipment (US is India's top defense supplier in recent years), petroleum products and LNG, chemicals and chemical intermediates, oil seeds (soybeans, cotton seed), medical devices, scrap metal, and technology products. India is one of the fastest-growing US export markets.
What is ICEGATE and how does Indian customs work?
ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI Gateway) is India's electronic customs clearance system. All Indian imports are processed through ICEGATE using a Bill of Entry (BE) filed by a licensed Indian Customs Broker (CB). The BE includes: importer details, goods description with ITC-HS code, declared customs value, and applicable duty calculations. Indian customs may conduct document verification, laboratory testing, or physical examination. Suaid Global partners with licensed Indian Customs Brokers at all major Indian ports.
Do electronics exported from the USA to India need BIS certification?
Yes. India's BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) mandatory certification applies to a wide range of products including electronics (IT equipment, LED lights, certain appliances), chemicals, and other regulated categories. BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) requires certification from a BIS-recognized test lab before goods can be imported and sold in India. Products imported without valid BIS certification will be detained at Indian customs. Suaid Global advises US exporters on BIS requirements for their specific product categories.
What Indian import duties should I expect on manufactured goods from the USA?
Indian import duties on US manufactured goods typically include: Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 7.5–30%, Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) of 10% on BCD, and IGST (GST on imports) of 5–28%. For a product with BCD=20% and IGST=18%, the total effective rate can be approximately 44–48% of CIF value. Specific sectors face higher rates: passenger cars 100%+, certain electronics 20–40% effective. Our pre-shipment cost calculator provides accurate estimates.
Are defense exports from the USA to India subject to special regulations?
Yes. US defense exports to India are governed by ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) administered by the State Department, and EAR (Export Administration Regulations) for dual-use items under BIS. All defense items require export licenses. India is a Major Defense Partner (MDP) of the USA, which facilitates some license applications. India's Defense Acquisition Procedure requires offset obligations for large defense contracts. Suaid Global works with specialized defense trade compliance consultants for ITAR/EAR export licensing.