The United States is one of the largest markets for Indian exporters, from textiles and handicrafts to auto parts, spices and pharmaceuticals. Shipping there is a long journey, and the paperwork on the US side is stricter than many first-time exporters expect.
This guide explains how to ship goods from India to the USA by sea: the routes, how long they take, the documents you need and the steps in order.
India to USA sea routes
Indian exporters typically ship from Nhava Sheva (JNPT) near Mumbai, Mundra in Gujarat, Chennai or Kolkata. Cargo for Kolkata often moves through a transhipment port such as Colombo or Singapore before it joins the main ocean leg.
On the US side, the common ports are New York and New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, and Los Angeles and Long Beach. There are three main ways to get there.
- Via the Suez Canal. Ships cross the Arabian Sea, pass through the Red Sea and Suez, cross the Mediterranean and then the Atlantic to the US East Coast. It is the shortest route to ports such as New York and Savannah.
- Around the Cape of Good Hope. Ships sail south of Africa and then across the Atlantic. It adds distance and time and became the default for many carriers when Red Sea security concerns grew.
- Across the Pacific to the West Coast. Cargo for Los Angeles and Long Beach usually moves through Southeast Asia and then across the Pacific, often with a transhipment.
Which routing your cargo takes depends on the carrier and the sailing. Carriers can change routings mid-season, so confirm the actual vessel path when you book. As one example, some carriers have recently moved India to US East Coast services back to Suez, and the Georgia Ports Authority says Indian cargo is reaching Savannah 10 to 14 days faster on those services.
India to USA ship time
The table shows indicative port to port times for container cargo. They are market estimates and change with routing, transhipment and port congestion.
| Destination | Route | Indicative transit |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (New York, Savannah) | Via Suez | 22 to 30 days |
| US East Coast | Via the Cape | 35 to 45 days |
| US West Coast (Los Angeles, Long Beach) | Trans-Pacific with transhipment | 30 to 40 days |
Plan for extra time before and after the voyage: pickup and stuffing in India, export clearance, the vessel cut-off, discharge at the US port, US customs and inland delivery. A full door to door timeline often runs six to eight weeks. If you need cargo sooner, air freight takes about a week door to door, though it costs much more per kilogram.
Step-by-step: how to ship from India to the USA
- Confirm your registrations. You need an Import Export Code, an ICEGATE login and a bank account with an authorised dealer code.
- Check US import rules for your product. Food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices fall under FDA rules. Textiles, electronics, wood and toys have their own agencies and labelling requirements. Ask your buyer or US customs broker what applies.
- Classify the goods. Use the correct HS code. The US adds its own digits to the international base code, so check the US tariff as well. Our guide to HS codes covers the basics.
- Agree commercial terms. Settle price, payment method and Incoterm. FOB and CIF are common for sea cargo, and the Incoterm decides who books the ship and who pays for insurance.
- Choose FCL or LCL and book. A full container suits larger volumes. LCL works for smaller loads, though it takes longer at both ends.
- Prepare documents. You need a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus any product certificates.
- File the shipping bill. Your customs broker files it on ICEGATE. See our guide to what a shipping bill is.
- Make sure the ISF is filed. US Customs requires an Importer Security Filing for ocean cargo, submitted at least 24 hours before the goods are loaded at the Indian port. The US importer or its broker normally files it, using details you provide.
- Ship and track. After loading, share the bill of lading and tracking details with your buyer.
- US customs clearance. The importer of record files the entry, pays duties and takes delivery. A customs bond is normally required for formal entry.
Documents you will need
- Commercial invoice with accurate value, description and HS code
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Shipping bill and export documents from India
- Certificate of origin, where relevant
- Importer Security Filing details
- FDA prior notice for food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices
- Product-specific certificates, such as textile declarations or pharmaceutical registrations
Mismatched descriptions or weights across these papers are a common cause of queries on arrival.
US duties and tariffs
Your buyer pays US import duty as the importer of record, but the amount affects your pricing and your buyer's decision to order. The duty depends on the product's HS classification. US tariff rates on Indian goods have changed several times since 2025, so check the current rate with the importer or a US customs broker before you quote a delivered price. Make sure your Incoterm states clearly who bears duties and taxes.
Costs to plan for
- Ocean freight, with fuel and peak season surcharges
- Origin charges in India, including trucking, terminal handling and documentation
- Export customs clearance
- Cargo insurance
- Destination charges in the US, which the buyer pays under most sea freight terms
- US duties, bond and broker fees
- Inland haulage to the final address
Our guide on how to calculate international freight charges explains how to compare quotes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking a vessel without checking whether the routing is via Suez or the Cape
- Missing the ISF deadline, which can lead to penalties
- Using vague product descriptions on the invoice
- Not agreeing who pays duty before shipping
- Leaving out FDA or other agency requirements for regulated goods
- Packing that cannot survive a long voyage
How IWCC supports exports to the USA
Interworld Cargo Care has served exporters since 1993. Our sea freight service covers booking, documentation and port coordination to major US ports. We also file your shipping bill and arrange pickup from your factory, so one team looks after the Indian side of the journey.
Ship your cargo to the USA
Tell us what you are sending and where it needs to go, and we will outline the route, timeline and costs. Get a free quote or call 098110 59654.
