Moving To India

We Provide Consistent End-to-End Moving Experience

Customs Regulations for India

Passport (for all family members)
Visa (valid to reside in India for one year)
Transfer of Residence
Indian Customs Declaration Form (must be signed in the presence of a Customs officer)
Full descriptive inventory in English (completed by the packing agent, electronic items should be listed on a separate sheet with brand, model and serial number)
Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
Power of Attorney (allowing Destination Agent to clear shipment)
Insurance policy
Diplomatic shipments require Duty Exemption Certificates from the Indian government

Customer must be present in India at the time of Customs clearance to sign the Declaration of Contents
All shipments 100 percent inspected
Sea shipments must be shipped within 30 days of the customer’s arrival to India, and air shipments within 15 days of arrival
Household goods and personal effects are duty free for foreign nationals and Indians transferring to India, provided:
- All goods were in your possession for at least six months
- The customer has lived overseas for at least two years and are transferring your residence to India
- The customer has not visited India for more than 180 days in the previous two years

In India, some articles may not be imported whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

Firearms, weapons, and ammunition
Narcotics and illegal drugs
Pornographic or obscene material
Beef and beef products
Live plants
Politically sensitive literature

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in India. These items include, but are not limited to:

Home theater systems, TVs, and DVD/DVR players (subject to 15 percent duty)
Video cameras and accessories, sound recording equipment, video reproduction equipment, and film (subject to 15 percent duty)
Fax machines, photocopiers, and word processors (subject to 15 percent duty)
Dishwashers, air conditioners, washer/dryers, and microwaves (subject to 15 percent duty)
If you have more than one of a certain appliance, any additional will be charged 35 percent duty
Gold or silver (subject to 15 percent duty)
New items and furniture (subject to 40 percent duty)
Alcohol is dutiable (up 180 percent) and restricted to 2 liters
Plants are highly restricted (require permission)
Tobacco (restricted to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of loose tobacco)

Customers moving to India may import one vehicle (or motorcycle). The vehicle may be admitted into the country if:

The car was in owner’s possession for over a year
Payment for the car was made prior to the owner’s arrival in India
Your car meets Euro III pollution norms and is right hand drive (with certificate form manufacturer)
The vehicle is shipped within six month of owner’s arrival
The vehicle is not older than three years from date of manufacture
The vehicle has a speedometer indicating the speed in kilometers
Foreign nationals must secure a bank bond for import trade authorities, stating not to sell the car for a specified period of time

Vehicles are dutiable and subject to very high taxes(new vehicles incur duty of about 114 percent on customs’ assessed value and used vehicles incur duty of about 169 percent of the value assessed by Customs)

You will need the following documents:

Owner’s original passport (verifying two years residence abroad)
Original manufacturing invoice of the vehicle (not from a dealer or any other sources)
Vehicle registration/title (for at least one year, in owner’s name)
Insurance policy
BL must state make, model, year, VIN, engine and chassis numbers
List of extras and purchase date

When importing a pet to India, the requirements are:

Veterinary Health Certificate (from a veterinary officer at origin attesting the pet is free from Aujossky’s disease, Distemper, Rabies, Leishmaoiasis and Leptospirosis)
Vaccination record from a licensed veterinarian
An Import License [issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)]
An Import Sanitary Permit (issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
Pets are subject to a clearance of the Animals Quarantine and Certificate Service authorities in India
Only one cat, dog or parrot allowed

All used household goods more than one year old are duty free
All new articles (furniture, crockery, etc.) are charged a duty of at least 50 percent
The following items are dutiable at 25 percent (new or used):
- TV, VCR
- Washing machine
- LPG cooking range
- Dishwasher
- Music system
- Personal computer
- Air conditioner
- Refrigerator, freezer
- Microwave oven
- Video camera
- Word processor
- Fax machine
If the total value of the above items exceeds RS 150,000 (approximately $4,250) or items that exceed the one-piece limit will attract a duty of approximately 62 percent

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 788-1090

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to India

To start, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a one-on-one consultation with you, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on certain criteria, such as:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in India?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

What Will Moving to India Cost?

For an accurate estimate of your shipment size, you should scheduling a home survey as early as possible for your move to India. Our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best estimate possible to expedite your relocation. The cost of moving to India will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time.

Don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services, too!

About India

Steeped in rich culture and traditions influenced by its ancient Indus Valley Civilization, India’s cultural tapestry is woven with a variety of colors. From its cuisine and landscape to major world religions and people, India has something to offer just about anyone. It is even home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal.

India is geographically the seventh largest country and the second most populous in the world – over 1.2 billion people call India home. This South Asian country is bounded by the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal while sharing borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and Bangladesh. Can’t wait to get started with your overseas relocation to India? First, find out what you’ll need to clear Customs.

Moving to India from the U.S.

If you are moving to India from the United States, there will be plenty to consider and prepare for before you head across the globe. The last thing you want to worry about is the logistics of a complicated move.

International Sea & Air Shipping will make your transition to India as seamless as possible by providing top-notch shipping services for all of your household goods, and much more.