Shipping from India to the USA
We arrange sea freight (FCL and LCL) and air freight from India to the United States. US imports have their own advance-filing and duty rules, so it helps to plan the documents and the importer's side before the cargo sails.
- Main sea routes
- Nhava Sheva (INNSA) to New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, Los Angeles/Long Beach
- Typical sea transit
- Approximately four to six weeks to port, depending on the route
- Air
- To major US airports, quoted per shipment
Indian ports to US ports
Common gateways include New York/New Jersey and Savannah on the East Coast, Houston on the Gulf, and Los Angeles/Long Beach on the West Coast. From Nhava Sheva a sea shipment typically takes around four to six weeks door to port, depending on the service and the US port; inland delivery takes extra time. Other destinations in North and South America can be quoted on request.
ISF and customs broker
For ocean cargo, the importer (usually through their US customs broker) must file an Importer Security Filing (ISF, also called "10+2") before the cargo is loaded at the origin port. Late or wrong filings can lead to penalties, so please ask your buyer to appoint a broker early and share the details with us.
The importer also pays customs duty and fees. Duty rates and trade measures on Indian goods can change, so your buyer or their broker should confirm the duty on your HS code before you ship.
Documents for the USA
- Commercial invoice and packing list, with a clear cargo description, HS code and the value of each item.
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air).
- Any product-specific documents. Food, textiles, leather, wood and some other products can have additional requirements, so tell us what you ship.
Common questions
What is an ISF and who files it?
The Importer Security Filing (ISF, or "10+2") is an advance filing for ocean cargo coming into the USA. It is normally filed by the importer's customs broker before the cargo is loaded at the origin port.
How long does sea freight from India to the USA take?
It typically takes around four to six weeks to the US port, depending on the service and port. Inland delivery adds more time. We give an approximate time with every quote.
Who pays duty on goods imported into the USA?
The importer pays customs duty and fees. Rates depend on the HS code and can change, so ask the buyer or their broker to confirm before shipping.
Transit times are approximate and depend on the shipping line, the routing and the season. Rules and duties change, so please confirm the current requirements with your consignee or their agent before you ship.
Tell us what you are shipping
Share the route and cargo and we will come back with a quote.