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How to ship internationally from India to the US?

Learn how to ship internationally from India to the US in this guide — from documents required and compliance to selling your products in the US.

The export of Made in India goods to the USA has seen a steady rise over the last few years. Simplification of compliance and accessibility through e-commerce has opened up many opportunities for Indian businesses, enabling easy exports and delivery to customers across the world, especially the USA. Before exporting, it is important to understand the export logistics process and choose a mode of transportation that best suits the business.

Key stakeholder when shipping internationally to the US

The key stakeholders involved in shipping internationally from India to the US are¹:

Shippers

A business or an individual who intends to supply or send goods to the US from India.

Consignees

A business or an individual who receives the shipment in the US.

Reclaimed rubber

Service providers and consolidators for road, air and sea cargo or freight.

Shipping lines/carriers

A business that is responsible for carrying cargo from India to the US.

Various stages of shipping from India to the US

Shipping to the US from India is usually done via air or ocean freight. Most shippers prefer to use sea freight for large orders or bulky goods. Air freight is better suited for small consignments of high value. Below is a broad outline of the process when shipping from India to the US².

Export shipping

This part of the process involves shipping goods from the supplier’s location to the export port. This is usually done via road or rail and, in some cases, through specialized carriers.

Customs clearance

In this step, the supplier submits documents and completes legal formalities required by local authorities.

Handling in India

This part of the process starts from the supplier’s location and involves handling, transporting, loading, unloading and reloading, as well as inspection. Usually, freight forwarders are responsible for this part of the process.

Air/ocean freight

Goods are prepared for transport to the nearest port or airport, and loading and transport schedules are confirmed. The freight forwarder ensures that goods are loaded on a ship or plane.

Import customs clearance

House brokers are appointed by the consignee for customs clearance upon the arrival of goods. This process is generally started before the goods arrive.

Handling in the US

Goods are cleared and offloaded to transport them to a warehouse or storage facility in the US.

Import shipping

Goods are sorted and sent out for delivery to customers.

List of prohibited goods when shipping from India to the US

Before you ship your goods from India to the US, it is important to understand what documents or licenses are required for different categories. The US Customs and Border Protection website provides details on prohibited goods and other latest information.

• Automobiles
• Ceramic tableware
• Cultural artifacts and cultural property
• Fruits and vegetables
• Gold
• Photographic film
• Plants and seeds
• Alcoholic beverages
• Articles of exceptional value (e.g., works of art, antiques, precious stones, gold and silver)
• Ivory and ivory products
• Knives or weapons
• Perfume, aftershave and other fragrances
• Tobacco and tobacco products

It is also recommended that sellers read the e-commerce compliance guide available on the US Customs and Border Protection website.

Export and ship from India to the USA with Amazon Global Selling

With Amazon global logistics, Indian exporters can send their shipments across the world via Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). To assist global sellers and exporters deliver international orders in a hassle-free and seamless way, Amazon takes care of everything from packing, shipping to delivery and customer service through the FBA program. With FBA, sellers can focus on their business expansion in terms of product quality, launches, marketing and more, while Amazon handles international shipping for them.

To export from India, register with Amazon Global Selling in just 15 minutes by sharing a few KYC documents (identity proof, address proof and credit card). With over 300 million customers globally, you can leverage Amazon’s global scale across 18 global marketplaces in 200+ countries and territories. To support you for hassle-free logistics, Amazon has also launched SEND, enabling you to ship directly to international fulfillment centers at competitive prices. All you have to do is book, pay and track shipments without any hassles from India to the world.

Explore Amazon SEND

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to register on Amazon Global Selling?

To register with Amazon Global Selling, you need a valid ID proof, business address proof and a credit card with international transactions enabled.

How much does sending a courier from India to the USA cost?

Charges vary based on exact locations and service providers.

What kind of goods are exported from India to the USA?

Some of the goods exported from India to the USA are:
• Textile and apparel
• Consumables and food products
• Spices
• Beauty and cosmetic products
• Toys, games and sports requisites
• Knitted or crocheted fabric
• Cotton
• Dairy products, eggs, honey, edible products
• Personal care like soaps, lubricants
• Printed books and pictures

Published on February 23, 2023.

Sources:
1. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items
2. https://parcelcompare.com/support/prohibited-items
3. https://www.india-briefing.com/news/us-emerges-as-indias-largest-trade-partner-in-fy-2022-surpasses-china-25190.html/#:~:text=As%20per%20data%20released%20by,stood%20at%20US%241.03%20trillion.
4. https://guidedimports.com/blog/what-does-lcl-mean/#:~:text=The%20typical%20transit%20time%20of,if%20shipped%20via%20air%20cargo.
5. https://www.shiphub.co/shipping-from-india-to-the-us/#:~:text=It%20takes%20approximately%20between%2028,on%20FCL%20or%20LCL%20transport.
6. https://www.pallet2ship.co.uk/fcl-vs-lcl/#:~:text=The%20LCL%20service%20would%20generally,handle%20oversized%20or%20hazardous%20shipments.
7. https://www.brwilliams.com/blog/whats-the-difference-among-ftl-ltl-fcl-and-lcl/
8. https://ubtpro.in/international-courier-noida/USA
9. https://tradingeconomics.com/india/exports/united-states

How to calculate shipping costs?

Freight shipping: What is it and how does it work?

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*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.