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Shipping from US to India: Understanding Customs, Duties, and Regulations
12/02/2026
Key Takeaways:
- The US and India are major trading partners, with trade between them surpassing $129 billion in 2024.
- Successful US to India shipping depends on preparation, including understanding export/import regulations, ensuring complete documentation, and staying updated on compliance requirements to reduce delays.
- India’s growing trade relationship with the US presents huge opportunities, but success depends on pairing market potential with the right logistics strategy.
With bilateral trade reaching approximately $129.2 in 2024, the US and India continue to strengthen their commercial ties. In fact, US is India’s largest trading partner, and India remains a key player in America’s international trade landscape.
Across technology, textiles, machinery, chemicals, and precious gems, the US exported $54.3 billion worth of goods and services to India, while imports from India stood at $87.3 billion.
For businesses shipping between the US and India, two main transportation methods dominate: ocean freight and air freight. The Port of Nhava Sheva in Mumbai serves as the main hub for sea cargo, offering efficiency and reliability for large shipments. Meanwhile, air freight is the preferred choice for time-sensitive deliveries, ensuring goods arrive within 2–5 working days.
Investment in infrastructure, combined with strong trade partnerships, illustrates just why India is a key location for businesses in both America and worldwide looking to import or export internationally.
Get a quote and ship with MSC today.
For businesses shipping between the US and India, two main transportation methods dominate: ocean freight and air freight. The Port of Nhava Sheva in Mumbai serves as the main hub for sea cargo, offering efficiency and reliability for large shipments. Meanwhile, air freight is the preferred choice for time-sensitive deliveries, ensuring goods arrive within 2–5 working days.
Investment in infrastructure, combined with strong trade partnerships, illustrates just why India is a key location for businesses in both America and worldwide looking to import or export internationally.
Get a quote and ship with MSC today.
Overcoming Shipping Challenges from the US to India
From the impact of geopolitics to customs clearance and documentation, when it comes to shipping from the US to India, there are some aspects that may require attention to ensure that your overall supply chain remains optimal.
Regulatory and Tariff Barriers
India’s import tariffs and regulations can vary, creating potential cost and compliance challenges for US exporters.
Infrastructure Limitations Leading to Port Congestion
As cargo volumes grow and global trade intensifies, ports like Mundra have seen increased operational activity. To support smoother cargo flow and reduce potential delays, significant investments are being made in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development. These ongoing upgrades are designed to streamline customs clearance, improve turnaround times, and ensure that shipping operations remain efficient and reliable—today and into the future.
Geopolitics and Global Supply Chain Disruptions
Global conflicts impact shipping routes and costs, and when shipping from the US to India there is no exception.
Freight Costs
Alongside shipping route changes, demand increases and fluctuations in oil prices mean that shipping rates from the US to India have risen. As a business, when reviewing your pricing strategies and profit margins, this may be something you need to consider.
Customs Clearance and Documentation
India’s customs clearance process can be complicated and potentially lengthy. Ensuring you have a thorough understanding of the different regulations, and that all your documentation is correct is vital when shipping cargo from the US to India.
The Diversity of State Regulations
Smooth Sailing: Expert Tips for Shipping from the US to India
If you’re looking to optimize your supply chain to successfully enter the Indian import market, there are several strategies you can utilize to enhance your approach to shipping from the US to India.
Understand US Export Regulations
While most goods don’t require an explore license, some types of cargo may need permits. You should also be aware that any shipments that do require a license, or that are worth over $2,500 must file an Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES) ahead of being transported.
Understanding what is required and ensuring that your cargo is not on any restricted or prohibited export lists can help to improve your operations and speed up your supply chain.
Understand US Export Regulations
While most goods don’t require an explore license, some types of cargo may need permits. You should also be aware that any shipments that do require a license, or that are worth over $2,500 must file an Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES) ahead of being transported.
Understanding what is required and ensuring that your cargo is not on any restricted or prohibited export lists can help to improve your operations and speed up your supply chain.
Review India's Import Regulations
Alongside your EEI, you should also complete a Bill of Entry, commercial invoice, and packing list, and ensure you have your import license and any required certificates of origin for your cargo before transporting your goods to India from the US.
Double checking your documentation, and whether any additional duties need to be paid in advance helps prevent delays in customs which could damage either your goods or your reputation.
Country of Origin Marking
If you are shipping from India to the US, it’s important to ensure that your cargo is clearly marked with its country of origin before reaching customs. Not only is this a legal requirement for US imports, but good practice for any business shipping internationally anywhere in the world.
Having a clearly labelled country of origin helps facilitate the customs clearance process and prevents any delays which can be avoided from occurring.
Country of Origin Marking
If you are shipping from India to the US, it’s important to ensure that your cargo is clearly marked with its country of origin before reaching customs. Not only is this a legal requirement for US imports, but good practice for any business shipping internationally anywhere in the world.
Having a clearly labelled country of origin helps facilitate the customs clearance process and prevents any delays which can be avoided from occurring.
Stay Updated with Regulatory Changes
When shipping from the US to India or anywhere else in the world, you should check official US and Indian trade websites regularly. This helps you avoid any compliance issues, that could cause problems or delays when importing your cargo.
Working with an experienced shipping company or customs broker can help you guarantee that all your documents are compliant and accurate, leading to efficient customs clearance and a successful supply chain.
Ask MSC
When it comes to shipping from the US to India, at MSC we have years of experience we can draw on to support your business. Not only are both our teams in India and the US familiar with local trade routes, but our network of offices across India combined with our understanding of key state regulations also means we have the expertise to provide bespoke solutions that meet the specific needs of your business.
Contact us today to find out more.
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FAQs
Which ports and airports are commonly used in India?
What are the customs duties and taxes when shipping to India?
How much does shipping from the US to India cost?
Shipping costs vary based on shipment size, weight, and transportation method, as well as fluctuations in oil or fuel prices. Ultimately as a business the best way to estimate costs when shipping from the US to India is to get a quote from carriers or logistics provider.