- You can ship your household goods back to India by LCL (shared container), 20ft or 40ft container, or air freight. Pikkol collects and packs in the USA or Canada, ships, clears Indian customs and delivers to your door, or to storage.
- Duty depends on the Transfer of Residence (TR) allowance. Under the Baggage Rules, 2026 (in force from 2 February 2026), the duty-free value runs from ₹1,50,000 to ₹7,50,000, based on how long you’ve lived abroad.
- Door-to-door cost on Pikkol’s indicative figures runs from about US$3,000–5,500 (1-bed, LCL) to US$9,500–14,500 (4-bed+, 40ft) from the USA, and CA$4,000–7,500 to CA$13,000–19,500 from Canada. These exclude Indian duty, storage, port charges and insurance.
- Time: about 45–75 days (FCL) or 60–95 days (LCL) from the USA, and 50–80 days (FCL) or 65–100 days (LCL) from Canada. Air takes about 7–14 days.
- Start 8–12 weeks before you fly.
For a quote, see Pikkol’s pages for moving from the USA to India and moving from Canada to India, or message us on WhatsApp.
How does shipping your belongings to India work?
Pikkol’s process, in order:
- Video survey and quote. You get a written CBM estimate and a line-by-line quote before you pay.
- TR check. Pikkol checks your allowance slab, the name on the shipment and your landing window.
- Packing in the USA or Canada. Crews pack your goods and prepare a numbered inventory, which you sign.
- Freight. Goods go by LCL, 20ft, 40ft or air. After booking, you get the vessel and ETA.
- Indian customs clearance at Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Chennai, Mundra, or the nearest inland depot.
- Delivery, unpacking and debris removal to your Indian address, or storage if your home isn’t ready.
- Pets and vehicles are handled by specialist teams on the same timeline.
Which shipping method should you choose?
| Method | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LCL (shared container) | Up to about 13 CBM, such as a studio or 1-bed | Adds roughly two to four weeks |
| 20ft container | From about 14 CBM, holding about 25–28 CBM of household goods | Most 2-3 bedroom homes fit |
| 40ft container | Large houses, about 40–55 CBM | Pikkol’s figure for a 4-bed or larger |
| Air freight | Essentials, about 200–300 kg | Fastest, and the most expensive per kg |
| Extra suitcases | A few boxes | Beyond about 8–10 bags, freight is usually better |
How much does it cost?
These are Pikkol’s indicative door-to-door ranges. They exclude Indian duty above your allowance, storage, port examination charges and transit insurance. Ask for an exact quote after a survey.
From the USA (US$)
| Home size | Method | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed (≈8–12 CBM) | LCL shared | US$3,000–5,500 |
| 2-bed (≈16–20 CBM) | 20ft FCL | US$6,000–9,500 |
| 3-bed (≈25–30 CBM) | 20ft full load | US$7,000–10,500 |
| 4-bed+ (≈40–55 CBM) | 40ft FCL | US$9,500–14,500 |
| Air, essentials (≈200–300 kg) | Air | US$2,000–3,500 |
From Canada (CA$)
| Home size | Method | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed (≈8–12 CBM) | LCL shared | CA$4,000–7,500 |
| 2-bed (≈16–20 CBM) | 20ft FCL | CA$8,000–13,000 |
| 3-bed (≈25–30 CBM) | 20ft full load | CA$9,500–14,500 |
| 4-bed+ (≈40–55 CBM) | 40ft FCL | CA$13,000–19,500 |
| Air, essentials (≈200–300 kg) | Air | CA$2,800–4,800 |
Included: packing and export handling in the USA or Canada, ocean or air freight, Indian customs clearance, and delivery to your Indian address. Inland delivery to cities such as Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune adds a rail or truck leg.
Compare carefully. Published freight-only quotes can look cheaper because they often exclude packing, Indian clearance and inland delivery. Compare quotes only on equal CBM and included lines. Our guide to comparing international moving quotes shows how.
How long does it take?
| Route | Door to door (FCL) | Door to door (LCL) | Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA to India | 45–75 days | 60–95 days | 7–14 days |
| Canada to India | 50–80 days | 65–100 days | 7–14 days |
Stage by stage, Pikkol’s guide gives:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Survey, quote and booking | 1–3 weeks before packing |
| Packing and loading | 1–3 days |
| Port handling or rail/truck to port | 3–12 days |
| Ocean voyage | 30–50 days (about 30–45 from the US East Coast, 35–50 from the West Coast) |
| Indian customs clearance (TR) | 3–10 days after arrival |
| Inland delivery | 3–10 days |
What is the Transfer of Residence (TR) allowance?
TR is the customs concession for people returning to India after living abroad. Under the Baggage Rules, 2026 (Notification 14/2026-Customs (N.T.), in force from 2 February 2026), which replaced the 2016 rules, Pikkol’s pages give:
| Time abroad | Duty-free TR value | Key condition |
| Under 3 months | No TR, only the general ₹75,000 allowance | n/a |
| 3–12 months | ₹1,500,000 | No TR claim in the prior 3 years |
| At least 1 year in the last 2 | ₹3,00,000 | No TR claim in the prior 3 years |
| 2 years or more | ₹7,50,000 | Short India visits in the prior 2 years total six months or less, and no TR claim in the prior 3 years |
- Who is eligible: Indian passport holders, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals on non-tourist Indian visas.
- What counts: used personal and household goods, one unit each of the listed appliances (a second unit is dutiable), jewellery within limits if you’ve been abroad over a year, and one new laptop per adult.
- What doesn’t count as TR: firearms, excess tobacco and alcohol, gold or silver other than ornaments, and cars or motorcycles.
- The allowance is per eligible passenger. How it applies to a family shipment depends on the names on the bill of lading and the inventory.
- Excess value is charged duty, so declare accurately.
Rules change and customs officers decide at clearance. Your customs broker should confirm the current rules and the unaccompanied-baggage list at your clearing port. Read our customs, visa and documentation guide.
What is the shipment window?
Goods can land up to 2 months before your arrival and must be dispatched within 1 month after you arrive. Customs can grant an extension of up to 1 year in special cases, such as illness or transport disruption.
What documents do you need?
| Document | Who provides it |
|---|---|
| Passport (stay and arrival pages), and OCI card or visa | You |
| Proof of residence abroad and of your move | You |
| Detailed inventory with values, in English | Pikkol, on packing day |
| Unaccompanied baggage declaration (Form CBD-II) | You, with the customs broker |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | The shipping line or airline |
| Authority letter for the broker, and your PAN copy if you have one | You |
| Invoices for newer, high-value items | You |
| Pet NOC and endorsed health certificate | You, with the pet team |
What should you ship, sell or leave?
| Category | Usual advice |
|---|---|
| Furniture, books, kitchenware, art, tools, bicycles, instruments, sentimental items | Often worth shipping |
| TVs, consoles, solid wood furniture, mattresses | Check first |
| Large kitchen appliances, washers, dryers, ACs | Usually sell. They are built for 120V/60Hz, while India runs on 230V/50Hz with Type C, D and M plugs. |
| Cheap flat-pack furniture | Usually sell |
| Laptops, phones and most chargers | Usually dual-voltage and fine |
| Motors, compressors and heating appliances | Usually need a transformer |
Pikkol’s advice is to spend your allowance on items India doesn’t sell well, and ship only essentials by air.
What can’t you bring?
- E-cigarettes and vapes
- Foreign-made drones (largely prohibited since February 2022)
- Firearms without an Indian licence
- Gold or silver bars and coins
- Meat, seeds, plants and soil
- Hazardous items such as aerosols, propane, paint, loose lithium batteries and pool chemicals
- Trade or bulk goods
- Indian currency above ₹25,000, and foreign currency above US10,000 in total, must be declared
Can you bring your car?
Generally not. India accepts only right-hand-drive used cars, generally no more than 3 years old, with a km/h speedometer. US and Canadian cars are left-hand drive. Eligible cars need homologation (ARAI, ICAT or VRDE), full duty, and usually can’t be sold for 2 years. Pikkol recommends selling before you fly. Once you’re in India, Pikkol can move your car or bike between cities. See vehicle shifting.
Can you bring your pet?
Yes, with preparation. For a permanent move after 2 or more years abroad, you can bring up to two dogs or cats as baggage with an AQCS No Objection Certificate, applied for at least 7 days before the flight.
- Microchip: ISO-compliant, placed before the rabies vaccine
- Rabies vaccine: 1–12 months before travel
- Health certificate: from the USDA-accredited vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS (USA), or endorsed by CFIA (Canada)
- Entry airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Hyderabad
- Quarantine: a pet that fails inspection can be held for up to 15 days
- Three or more pets, or a non-permanent move, need a DGFT import licence (about a month)
See Pikkol’s pet relocation page, and our guide on moving abroad with a pet and household goods.
What if your Indian home isn’t ready?
Pikkol can clear your goods through customs and hold them in managed household storage, which avoids port demurrage. Demand is highest in Bengaluru and Delhi NCR. See storage, with city pages for Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai.
How should you time it?
| When | What to do |
| 8–12 weeks before you fly | Get quotes, book a video survey, check your TR slab |
| 6–8 weeks before | Book your mover, decide what to sell, donate or ship |
| 4 weeks before | Gather documents, arrange pet paperwork, plan storage if needed |
| 1–3 weeks before | Packing in the USA or Canada |
| On arrival | Your customs broker files Form CBD-II and clears the goods |
| After clearance | Delivery, unpacking and debris removal |
If you need a few things quickly, ship essentials by air, or use extra checked bags for a few boxes.
What else might you need?
- A local move in India after delivery: house shifting and packers and movers
- Storing goods before you move in: storage facility
- Art and valuables: the high-value move guide
- Insurance and risk: the risk guide
- Settling in: the settling-in guide and settling-in services. Pikkol’s support covers home and school search, PAN and banking, a local SIM and orientation for your family.
- A few boxes the other way: international parcel service, which is for India-to-abroad shipments only
- Moving abroad again later: India to the USA and India to Canada
- Employer-funded repatriation: corporate relocation
- Other relocation pages: international relocations, USA and Canada
Pikkol’s take
Returning home is easier when you choose your TR slab, name the shipment correctly and decide early what to ship. Ask each mover to put the survey, inventory, inclusions and customs support in writing, then compare. Learn more about Pikkol, browse the FAQs or contact us. Pikkol has completed more than 1,00,000 moves since 2015 and delivers across 15,000+ PIN codes in India.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ship my belongings from the USA or Canada to India?
Book a video survey, get a written quote, pack with an inventory, and have the mover handle freight, Indian customs clearance and delivery.
How much does it cost to ship household goods to India?
On Pikkol’s indicative figures, about US4,000–19,500 from Canada, depending on home size and method. Duty, storage, port charges and insurance are extra.
How long does it take?
About 45–100 days door to door by sea, depending on the route and method, and 7–14 days by air.
What is the Transfer of Residence?
It’s the customs concession for returning residents. The duty-free value depends on how long you lived abroad, from ₹1,50,000 to ₹7,50,000.
Do I pay duty on my household goods?
Duty applies to value above your allowance. Declare accurately, and confirm with your customs broker.
Can OCI cardholders use the TR allowance?
Pikkol’s pages say OCI cardholders are eligible, and foreign nationals on non-tourist visas can be too. Confirm your case with your broker.
When should my goods arrive?
Goods can land up to 2 months before you arrive and must be dispatched within 1 month after. Extensions are possible in special cases.
Should I ship my appliances?
Usually not, because of the voltage and plug differences. Sell large appliances, and carry dual-voltage electronics.
Can I bring my car?
Generally not. Sell it before you fly.
Can I bring my dog or cat?
Yes, with an AQCS NOC, microchip, rabies vaccination and an endorsed health certificate.
What if my home isn’t ready?
Use storage after customs clearance.
How early should I book?
Pikkol recommends 8–12 weeks before you fly.
Get your free quote
Tell us your city abroad, your Indian city, home size and target date. Get a free quote from the USA, get a free quote from Canada, or chat on WhatsApp.