Shipping from India: your questions answered

Air freight from India usually takes about 3 to 8 days door to door to most countries, such as the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. The flight itself often takes just 1 to 3 days. The rest is booking, export clearance in India and import clearance at your end. We fly cargo from all major Indian airports. Tell us your ready date and destination, and we'll tell you which flight fits.

Sea freight from India usually takes about 18 to 45 days port to port, depending on where it's going. Typical ranges are about 18 to 35 days to Australia, 26 to 45 days to the UK, 28 to 45 days to Canada, and 30 to 45 days to the US. The route, stops on the way and the season all make a difference. Planning a big order? Ask us early and we'll match it to a sailing.

We ship from India to buyers all over the world, by air and by sea. For example, we ship to Canada, Australia, Europe, the UK and the US. We ship from all major Indian ports and airports, and door-to-door delivery is possible. Tell us where your goods need to go, and we'll tell you the best way to get them there.

The cost depends on four main things: how heavy and bulky your cartons are, air or sea, your destination, and the season. That's why any honest forwarder quotes each shipment separately. Freight rates change often, so a quote is based on the day you ship. Send us your carton count, sizes and weight, or even a recent freight invoice. Our rates beat many buyers' current invoices.

Choose air if your goods are urgent, small or high in value. Choose sea if they're heavy or bulky, or if a few extra weeks don't matter. For sea, we offer both shared containers (LCL) for smaller loads of roughly 2 to 13 cubic metres, and full containers (FCL) for bigger ones. Not sure? Send us your shipment details and we'll tell you which option fits.

Airlines charge on the higher of your cargo's real weight or its "volume weight." Volume weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000. For example, a 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton counts as 16 kg, even if it weighs only 8 kg. Light, bulky goods like cushions, baskets and rolled rugs are often charged on volume. Send us your carton sizes and we'll work it out for you.

Most export shipments from India need a commercial invoice, a packing list, a shipping bill (India's export customs form), and an air waybill (for air) or a bill of lading (for sea). A certificate of origin is added when your country's customs or a trade deal needs it. Your supplier also needs an Import Export Code (IEC). Our own licensed customs team checks all of these before your cargo leaves.

Import customs in your country is a separate step from export customs in India. We handle the India side with our own licensed customs team. At your end, our network partners can help clear your goods and bring them to your door. Every country has its own rules. For example, Canada asks commercial importers for a Business Number, the UK asks for an EORI number, the US usually needs a customs bond for shipments over US$2,500, and Australia needs an import declaration above AUD 1,000.

These "Incoterms" say where your supplier's job ends and yours begins.

• EXW: you handle everything from the supplier's door.
• FOB: the supplier loads the goods onto the ship in India, and you pay the main freight.
• CIF: the supplier pays freight and basic insurance to your port.
• DAP: the supplier delivers to your place, but you pay import duties.
• DDP: the supplier pays everything, including duties.

We'll help you pick.

Our own licensed customs team checks your cartons, labels and paperwork before the cargo leaves. If something is wrong, like a missing document or an invoice that doesn't match the packing list, we fix it with your supplier first. That way the problem is solved in India, not discovered at the airport or port. We've shipped from all major Indian ports and airports for over 40 years.

Sometimes, yes. India has trade deals with some countries that cut duty on many Indian goods, for example Australia (ECTA) and the UAE (CEPA). Some countries also give lower duty to goods from developing countries, like Canada's General Preferential Tariff, though many items, such as most clothing and textiles, are left out. You usually need the right certificate of origin from your supplier. Check with your customs broker, and our team can check the document before shipping.

An HS code is a number that tells customs exactly what your product is, and it sets your duty rate. The first 6 digits are the same worldwide, and each country adds its own extra digits. Your supplier puts a code on the export invoice, and your import broker confirms the code for your country. Ask us and we'll help you find a starting point.

Yes. Most countries ask that wooden pallets and crates are heat-treated and stamped to the international ISPM 15 standard. Some countries, like Australia and New Zealand, are extra strict, so wooden and natural products such as handicrafts may need treatment or inspection when they arrive. Check your country's rules before you buy. We check packaging and paperwork in India before your cargo leaves.

Email info@jenitacargo.com or WhatsApp us on +1 (647) 534 5726, which is free from anywhere. Send us:

• your supplier's pickup city
• the number of cartons, their sizes and weight
• what the goods are
• your destination city
• the Incoterm (like FOB or EXW), if you know it

A real person replies. Our Air Freight Manager deals with buyers directly.

Yes. Your supplier packs the cartons, then we pick up the cargo or your supplier sends it to us. Buying from more than one supplier? We can combine their goods into one shipment, which can save you money and paperwork. Still looking for a maker? Our supplier sourcing service can help you find one. Tell us what you want to buy.

You can check your shipment any time on the tracking page on our website. If you'd rather hear from a person, ask for an update by WhatsApp or email whenever you need one. We'll reply with the latest status from the airline or shipping line.

Yes, door-to-door delivery from your supplier in India to your address is possible. Every door-to-door shipment is different (city, size, customs needs), so we price it only after a short chat with you about the details. Tell us where the goods start and where they need to end up.

Yes. Jenita Cargo Services has been forwarding freight from India for over 40 years. We're an IATA agent, a FIATA member and an ACAAI member, with our own licensed customs team and dangerous-goods certification. We work with network partners all over the world. Our office is in New Delhi, and you always deal with a real person, by email or WhatsApp, wherever you are.

Yes, we can arrange cargo insurance for your shipment. Just ask before your goods ship. It's worth it for valuable goods: under international rules (the Montreal Convention), an airline's basic liability for lost or damaged cargo is capped at 26 SDR per kilo (roughly US$35), whatever the goods are worth. Under CIF terms, your supplier usually buys only basic cover.

Yes. We're dangerous-goods (DG) certified, so we can handle many items that need special packing and labels, such as some chemicals, batteries or aerosols. Medical products often need extra permits or registration in your country, so check those with your import broker first. Send us the product details and safety data sheet, and we'll tell you what's needed.