Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to India
Direct container service to Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Chennai. India effectively blocks used-car imports — so this lane is built for what actually moves: machinery, project cargo, and exhibition equipment.
India at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $2,400+
- Ocean transit
- 28–38 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Nhava Sheva · Mundra · Chennai
- Import duty + VAT
- Cars ~125%+ · machinery 7.5%
- Exhibition & project cargo
- 0% via ATA Carnet
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to India: What You Need to Know
Let's be direct: India is not a used-car destination. Imports older than three years are banned outright, the rest face combined duties and taxes that often exceed 125% of value, and the market drives right-hand-drive anyway. What India is, however, is one of the world's largest buyers of American industrial equipment — Nhava Sheva near Mumbai and Mundra in Gujarat together handle more container volume than any other gateway on the subcontinent.
Our India lane moves construction and mining machinery, oil-and-gas project cargo, printing and packaging lines, and exhibition or defense-show equipment under ATA Carnet — which enters at 0% duty when it leaves again within the carnet period. Capital machinery typically clears at 7.5% basic duty plus IGST, a fraction of vehicle rates, and weekly East Coast sailings via Suez keep transit at 28–38 days.
The documentation discipline matters more in India than almost anywhere we ship. Customs at Nhava Sheva and Mundra scrutinize valuation, HS classification, and BIS conformity closely, and a misclassified machine can sit while queries go back and forth. We prepare the commercial invoice, packing list, and country-of-origin paperwork to match the exact tariff line, flag any equipment that needs a BIS certificate or an import license ahead of loading, and structure carnet shipments so the temporary-import paperwork is airtight at both ends. For oversized project cargo, Mundra's deep-draft berths and flat-rack handling make it the better gateway; for general machinery feeding the Mumbai-Pune industrial belt, Nhava Sheva is closer to the end user. Getting the gateway and the classification right upfront is what keeps an Indian clearance fast.
Key takeaway
Skip the used-car math — a 3-year ban plus 125%+ combined taxes closes that door. Ship machinery at 7.5% duty + IGST instead, or exhibition equipment at 0% under ATA Carnet. Budget $2,400+ for a dedicated 20ft container.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to India
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) | 28–35 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) | 30–38 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Mundra | 35–45 days | Bi-weekly |
| Norfolk, VA | Chennai | 32–40 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to India from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to India, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches India fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to India
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | Custom quote | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,400 – $3,600 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,400 – $5,000 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to India →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentIndia Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used cars (any age) | Restricted | — | >3 yrs banned, ~125%+ total |
| New cars (CBU) | 70–100% | 28% GST + cess | Rate depends on CIF value |
| Capital machinery | 7.5% | 18% IGST | Our strongest India lane |
| Project / oversized cargo | 0–7.5% | 18% IGST | EPCG concessions may apply |
| Exhibition equipment (ATA Carnet) | 0% | 0% | Temporary import, must re-export |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Exhibiting or executing a project in India?
ATA Carnet shipments — trade-show booths, demo machinery, defense-expo equipment, film gear — enter India at 0% duty and 0% tax for up to a year. We prepare the carnet routing, customs bond, and the return leg in one booking.
What We Ship to India
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into India's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for India.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to India.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to India
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → India Routes
New York / New Jersey → Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)
28–35 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)
30–38 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Mundra
35–45 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Norfolk, VA → Chennai
32–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to India Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
28–38 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Nhava Sheva · Mundra · Chennai.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to India. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Effectively no, and we'll be direct about it. Vehicles older than three years are banned outright, anything else faces combined duties and taxes that often exceed 125% of value, and India drives right-hand drive anyway — so a left-hand-drive American car is a poor fit even before the tax math. We don't sell a used-car lane to India; the value here is industrial cargo.
An ATA Carnet is a temporary-import document that lets equipment enter India at 0% duty and 0% tax for up to a year, as long as it re-exports within the carnet period. It's ideal for trade-show booths, demo machinery, defense-expo equipment, and film gear. We prepare the carnet routing, the customs bond, and the return leg in a single booking so nothing gets stranded or wrongly assessed.
Capital machinery typically clears at 7.5% basic customs duty plus 18% IGST — a fraction of vehicle rates, which is why it's our strongest India lane. Project and oversized cargo can run 0–7.5%, and EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods) concessions may reduce duty further for exporters. We move construction and mining machinery, oil-and-gas project cargo, and printing and packaging lines through Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Chennai.
About 28–38 days from the East Coast via the Suez Canal. We sail weekly from New York/New Jersey and Savannah to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), with biweekly Houston service to Mundra (35–45 days) and Norfolk to Chennai (32–40 days). Nhava Sheva and Mundra together handle the bulk of subcontinental container volume. For exhibition cargo we sequence the ATA Carnet so the equipment clears the moment it lands.
More shipping destinations in South & Southeast Asia & Oceania
Plan your shipment with our guides
Free, in-depth playbooks on buying, paperwork, and choosing the right shipping method.
Ready to Ship to India?
Get a customized quote for your shipment to India with detailed pricing and transit options.