Importing into India

Quick Tips  You must be present in India when your shipment arrives    Used electrical and electronic items are subject to 38.5% duty

Things you need to know when shipping to India

To import personal effects into India, complete the following online documents:

• An inventory packing list — accurately detailing every item your shipment contains.
• Copies of invoices for electrical and electronic goods. Please be aware that all electronics and electrical items, whether new or used, are subject to 38.5% duty.
• Optional insurance to protect your belongings in the rare case a mishap occurs.
• Customs forms for the clearance of your shipment into India.

Two weeks before the vessel transporting your shipment arrives in India, our agent, Arista Skyship Agencies, will email you a set of import documents. Our agent will have filled in the relevant information on the forms, but you must print and sign them.

Then, contact the BlueDart courier company and arrange for them to deliver these documents AND the shipment owner's passport to our agent's office. The courier costs roughly INR500 and is to be paid by yourself. Once customs clearance is complete, our agent will arrange for another BlueDart courier to return your passport.

Please get in touch if you require assistance during this process — our friendly multilingual team are always on hand to help and advise!

How our shipping to India process works

After you've completed the online documentation and paid the remainder of your shipping charges, we will ship your belongings to India. Please note that you must be present in the country when it arrives.

Then, your shipment will be discharged to Bangalore ICD for customs clearance. As mentioned above, two weeks before your goods arrive in India, our agent, Arista Skyship Agencies, will email you a set of completed import documents.

To ensure clearance, you must print and sign these forms and send them along with the shipment owner's passport by BlueDart courier to our agent's office.

During the customs process, all MoveCube® containers are opened for inspection. Once clearance is granted, our local agent will contact you to arrange the delivery of your shipment. Expected delivery to your shipment's destination address is a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks.

Due to labour unions and different state laws, our agent cannot assist with unloading the MoveCube®, so please ask friends and family to help or make arrangements locally.

Import your household effects customs free

Returning Indian nationals and foreigners can import most household goods, such as furniture, clothing, and books, into India free from customs duties using the Transfer of Residence (TR) scheme. 

To qualify for TR exemption, you must:

• Have lived outside of India for at least two years.
• Have not visited India for more than 180 days in the last two years.
• Intend to make India your main residence for at least one year.
• Ensure all items in your shipment are for personal use, and not intended for resale.
• Import your goods between one month before or six months after your arrival in India.

Electronics, especially high-value items like TVs, may attract 38.5% duty, regardless of age or usage, at the discretion of the customs officer.

Please note that you can only use the TR scheme for one shipment of belongings. It cannot be used for additional imports, even if they are within the allowable period.

For the most up-to-date information, please reference the official Indian Central Board Of Indirect Taxes & Customs website.