Compare Removals To India From UK
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Compare & Save up to 70% off the Cost of Removals to India
With Compare My Move you can save up to 70% on international removals to India. Being a country rich in culture and cuisine, India has become a frequent favourite for expats. With a bustling population of over 1.4 billion people, India is also home to some 32,000 UK nationals.
As a popular choice for outsourcing Western work, India has plenty of potential for expats looking for employment abroad. The cost of living is also drastically cheaper compared to the UK, making it tantalising for those seeking higher disposable income.
Our international comparison tool will help you find up to 6 suitable partners for your move to India. All our removal companies keep your contents protected with Goods in Transit, Public Liability and international insurance.
Which Shipping Option Do You Need?
Once you’ve settled a moving day, you next need to think of the best way to get your goods to India.
It can be quite pricey to ship furniture overseas, especially when travelling as far as India. Take into account the size, weight and quantity of the items you’re moving to find the best method of transport.
When moving to India, you’ll have the following freight options to choose from:
- Shipping Freight
- Part-Load
- Air Freight
Depending on how urgently you need certain valuables, you can opt to use different modes of transport for different items.
Shipping Freight
Shipping possessions by sea is the go-to for many UK expats moving further than Europe. Shipping freight offers great value for the space provided. This is because customers are charged for the container itself rather than the size and weight of the contents. Therefore, shipping freight is recommended for moving furniture or larger loads.
India has 13 major ports to pick from, the largest being Mumbai Port on the western coast. Other main Indian ports include:
- Kolkata Port
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port
- Kochi Port
- Chennai Port
- Mundra Port
Taking a sea-bound container is the longer method of transport, taking around 5-6 weeks. You’ll also need to consider domestic collection and loading in the UK, which can add up to a week. Once your goods reach India, clearing customs can take 10-14 days.
Part-Load
If you’re moving a smaller inventory or working with a tight budget, you might be best suited to part-load. In this method, you will share a container with the possessions of other movers, yourself receiving a portion of the interior. This has the upside of being much cheaper than booking a full container.
On the offside, part-load takes longer to arrive since there will likely be other stops to drop off other’s possessions along the way. In India, a part-load delivery can take between 8-12 weeks to arrive after departing the UK.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest method of transporting belongings to India. A typical air freight delivery to India will take anywhere from 3 to 8 days depending on the airport.
India has 24 international airports for the 28 Indian states across the country. Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi is the largest airport, other main sites include:
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai
- Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad
- Chennai International Airport in Chennai
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata
The drawback is that it’s flying is the pricier option for international removals. Another aspect to consider is that air freight is limited not only by holding space but also by the weight of its contents. This makes it unsuitable for heavy and wide items like furniture or vehicles. Professional packing services are also required by law for them to fly.
Cost of Shipping Furniture to India
A 20ft container to India costs an average of £4,690 to ship from the UK, with a 40ft container costing roughly £6,635. This is only an estimate as international shipping costs can increase or decrease depending on the size of your inventory. If you’d like assistance with packing, removals will offer this service for an additional £250.
The average shipping prices to India from the UK are:
| Container Size | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| 20ft Container | £4,690 |
| 40ft Container | £6,635 |
Data taken from Movehub and MoverDB
What Documentation Do I Need?
Depending on the type of visa you apply for, there’ll be different supporting documents required. Regardless of the visa, the following essentials will be needed during your application:
- A passport with at least 6 months of validity
- A photo of yourself
- Proof of residence (bills & landlord ID or a copy of lease agreement)
- Marriage/Medical certificate or job contract/employer ID (if applicable)
- Shipping inventory
Visas and Permits
Those visiting India briefly can apply for an e-tourist visa online, which normally takes around 3 days to process. This will give you entry for 30 days for £25 plus a service fee. There are also multi-entry visas for frequent travellers, for example those with relatives.
If you’re looking to move to India long-term, you’ll need to make an appointment at the High Commission of India in London or another Indian consulate. Visa processing can take 10 to 15 days, so be sure to apply well in advance.
Other popular overseas destinations
We also offer international removals to many destinations worldwide. Here are some other popular locations: