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Editor notes (v1, 5 October 2026): New inbound page. Suggested URL /international-relocation/canada-to-india (matches the corridor page pattern; follow the live site's pattern if different). Title 58 characters, description 143 characters. Yellow items are placeholders Pikkol must fill: all CA$ prices are indicative market-based defaults, not Pikkol rates; replace them with approved inbound rates and keep the sidebar estimator and the schema AggregateOffer in sync. Customs facts are from the Baggage Rules, 2026; check the baggage duty rate on excess value and the vehicle duty with Pikkol's customs broker before publishing. Name the Canada origin partner. Link this page from: /international-relocation (inbound section), /international-relocation/india-to-canada ("moving back?" link), any Canadian city pages, the pet relocation page, the vehicle page, the storage page, the settling-in page and /how-to-compare-international-moving. Submit the URL in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools (ChatGPT search and Copilot draw on Bing's index), and add it to /llms.txt.

Moving from Canada to India: cost, customs, pets and cars

By Rahul Pillai, International Move Consultant, Pikkol · Last reviewed

The short answer

  • A 2BHK-sized home (≈18 CBM) usually ships in a 20ft container for about CA$8,000–13,000 door to door; a small apartment by shared container about CA$4,000–7,500.
  • Sea freight takes 50–80 days door to door by full container and 65–100 days shared. Air takes 7–14 days.
  • Under India's Baggage Rules, 2026, if you lived abroad for 2+ years you can bring household goods worth up to ₹7.5 lakh duty-free (Transfer of Residence). Canadian citizens with OCI qualify too.
  • Up to two dogs or cats can come with an AQCS No Objection Certificate. Most Canadian cars can't be imported: India only accepts right-hand-drive vehicles.

Prices are indicative door-to-door ranges in CA$, excluding Indian duty on value above your allowance, storage and insurance. Get an exact figure with a free video survey.

Canada to India at a glance

Common Canadian origin cities Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and more coverage incl.
Canadian export ports Vancouver and Prince Rupert (West); Montreal and Halifax (East). GTA cargo usually moves by rail or truck to Montreal/Halifax or by rail to Vancouver
Indian arrival ports Nhava Sheva (JNPT, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai; inland depots for Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad
Sea transit, port to port About 30–50 days, usually via a transhipment hub
Door to door, FCL / LCL / air 50–80 days / 65–100 days / 7–14 days
Duty-free allowance (2+ years abroad) ₹7,50,000 under Transfer of Residence, Baggage Rules 2026
Shipment window Land up to 2 months before you arrive; dispatch within 1 month after
Pets Up to 2 dogs/cats; AQCS NOC + CFIA-endorsed certificate; 6 entry airports
Cars Left-hand-drive Canadian cars generally can't be imported
Power Canada 120V/60Hz → India 230V/50Hz, Type C/D/M plugs

How much can you bring into India duty-free?

Under India's Baggage Rules, 2026, a returning Indian or a person of Indian origin (including OCI cardholders) who lived abroad for 2 years or more can bring personal and household goods worth up to ₹7.5 lakh duty-free as Transfer of Residence (TR). Shorter stays get ₹3 lakh or ₹1.5 lakh. Check your slab and your shipment window below.

Transfer of Residence checker (Baggage Rules, 2026)

Answers stay in your browser. This is a planning aid, not a customs ruling.

The TR slabs in full

Time you lived abroad Duty-free value (TR) Key condition
Less than 3 months No TR. Only the general allowance (₹75,000) applies —
3–12 months ₹1,50,000 No TR claim in the preceding 3 years
At least 1 year in the preceding 2 years ₹3,00,000 No TR claim in the preceding 3 years
2 years or more ₹7,50,000 Total short visits to India in the preceding 2 years no more than 6 months; no TR claim in the preceding 3 years

Source: Baggage Rules, 2026 (Notification 14/2026-Customs (N.T.), in force from 2 February 2026), which replaced the Baggage Rules, 2016. Foreign nationals on a valid non-tourist visa get the same three slabs based on how long they will stay in India (6–12 months, 1–2 years, 2+ years).

What counts towards the allowance

  • Used personal and household articles: furniture, clothes, books, kitchenware, decor, toys.
  • One unit each of the larger items listed in Annexure II, including: home theatre system, air-conditioner, microwave oven, washing machine, gas cooking range, desktop computer, laptop or notepad, domestic refrigerator, television, dishwasher, deep freezer, video camera, vacuum cleaner, air fryer, dryer, air cooler, gaming console, water dispenser, oil heater, electric oven, musical instrument (e.g. piano or guitar), tablet, small Bluetooth speakers, air purifier, dehumidifier, multifunction printer, robotic vacuum cleaner, massage chair, projector and amplifier. Two TVs or two fridges means the second one is dutiable.
  • Jewellery (if you lived abroad more than a year): up to 40 g duty-free for a female passenger and 20 g for others, assessed by weight.
  • One new laptop per adult passenger (18+), duty-free, in addition to the above.

What never counts as TR

  • Firearms; cartridges above 50; cigarettes above 100, cigars above 25 or tobacco above 125 g; alcohol above 2 litres
  • Gold or silver in any form other than ornaments
  • Vehicles: cars and motorcycles are outside the baggage rules altogether (see cars)

Goods above your allowance are charged baggage duty on the excess value. the rate in force with the customs broker. Mumbai Customs FAQ lists 38.5% (35% basic duty + 10% surcharge); check it still applies after the 2026 changes.

The allowance is per eligible passenger. How customs applies it to one family shipment depends on whose name is on the bill of lading and inventory, so we set that up with you before packing.

How much does it cost to move from Canada to India?

Most families pay between CA$4,000 for a small apartment by shared container and CA$19,500 for a large house in a 40ft container, door to door. Your city's distance from the port, your volume and your Indian delivery city drive the price.

Home size Typical volume Usual method Indicative cost, door to door (CA$)
Studio / 1-bed apartment ≈8–12 CBM LCL (shared container) CA$4,000–7,500
2-bed (2BHK-sized) ≈16–20 CBM 20ft container (FCL) CA$8,000–13,000
3-bed house ≈25–30 CBM 20ft container, full load CA$9,500–14,500
4-bed+ house ≈40–55 CBM 40ft container (FCL) CA$13,000–19,500
Air: essentials only ≈200–300 kg Air freight CA$2,800–4,800

Includes packing at your Canada home, export handling, ocean or air freight, Indian customs clearance and delivery to your Indian address. Excludes duty on value above your TR allowance, storage beyond free days, port examination charges and transit insurance (usually 35% of declared value). Delivery to an inland city (Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune) adds a rail or truck leg from the port.

For comparison, published Canadian freight figures put ocean freight alone at about CA$3,800–5,200 for a 20ft container and CA$6,200–9,400 for a 40ft, before packing, inland rail, Indian clearance and delivery. Shipping from Vancouver is often cheaper than from the East. Compare quotes only on the same CBM and the same included lines.

Should you ship a full container or share one?

Use LCL (shared container) up to about 13 CBM. That covers most studios, 1BHK-equivalent apartments and lightly furnished homes. Your goods are consolidated at a warehouse in Canada, shipped with other cargo, and separated again in India, which adds two to four weeks and more handling.

From about 14 CBM, a 20ft container (FCL) usually costs about the same, is sealed at your door, and is opened only by Indian customs and our team. A 20ft holds roughly 25–28 CBM of household goods. Large houses need a 40ft.

Ship less than you think. From Canada, inland rail to the port and packing labour add up fast, and most 120V appliances won't work well in India. Sell appliances and cheap furniture locally, and ship the furniture you love, books, kitchenware, winter-free clothing and sentimental items. You'll save on freight and stay within your duty-free allowance.

How long does shipping from Canada to India take?

Plan for 50–80 days door to door by full container, 65–100 days by shared container and 7–14 days by air. Prairie and BC cargo usually sails from Vancouver; Ontario and Quebec cargo from Montreal or Halifax, or by rail to Vancouver.

Stage Typical time
Survey, quote and booking 1–3 weeks before packing
Packing and loading at your Canadian home 1–3 days
Rail or truck to Vancouver, Montreal or Halifax; export handling 4–12 days
Ocean voyage incl. transhipment 30–50 days
Indian customs clearance (TR) 3–10 days after you've arrived
Rail or truck to inland depot, then delivery 3–10 days

Times vary with sailing schedules, transhipment, port congestion and customs selection. Your coordinator shares the vessel and ETA once booked.

When should your shipment leave Canada?

Your unaccompanied goods can land in India up to 2 months before you arrive, and must be dispatched within 1 month after you arrive. Miss the window and you can lose the TR benefit unless customs grants an extension (up to 1 year, for reasons like illness or transport disruption).

In practice, most families pack 1–3 weeks before their flight. The goods then land after them, which matters because customs clears the shipment against your arrival in India. If your Indian home isn't ready, we hold the goods in storage rather than paying port charges.

What documents do you need for Indian customs?

Document Who provides it When
Passport (all pages showing stay abroad and arrival in India); OCI card or visa if not an Indian passport holder You Copy before packing; original at clearance
Proof of residence abroad and of the move: lease or sale, employer letter, utility bills You Before packing
Detailed inventory with values, in English Pikkol at packing Packing day
Unaccompanied baggage declaration (Form CBD-II), filed electronically You, with Pikkol's broker Before clearance
Bill of lading or air waybill Shipping line or airline After loading
Authority letter for the customs broker; PAN card copy if you have one You Before arrival
Invoices for newer high-value items You Before packing
Pet: AQCS No Objection Certificate and endorsed health certificate You, with Pikkol's pet team At least 7 days before the pet flies

What can't you ship to India?

  • E-cigarettes and vapes: import is banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019
  • Drones: import of foreign-made drones has been prohibited since February 2022, with narrow exceptions
  • Firearms and ammunition without an Indian licence and prior permission
  • Gold or silver bars and coins; jewellery above your allowance is dutiable
  • Indian currency above ₹25,000; foreign currency must be declared above US$5,000 in notes or US$10,000 in total
  • Meat, seeds, plants and soil; packed food is better bought in India
  • Hazardous items: aerosols, propane, paint, lithium batteries packed loose, pool chemicals (no shipment can carry these)
  • Anything for sale or gifts in bulk: TR covers your own household, not trade goods

Appliances, pets and cars: what's different on this route?

Appliances and electronics

Canada homes run on 120V/60Hz; India runs on 230V/50Hz with Type C, D and M plugs. Laptops, phones, cameras and most chargers are dual-voltage and fine. Motors, compressors and heating elements built for 120V need a step-up transformer and may run hot or slow at 50Hz. That's why we usually advise against shipping refrigerators, washers, dryers and kitchen appliances. A 60Hz US-spec TV and gaming consoles generally work with the right plug or power supply, and they count as one Annexure II unit each.

ShipUsually worth it

Furniture you love, books, kitchenware, art, rugs, tools, bicycles, laptops, cameras, musical instruments, kids' things, sentimental items.

CheckDepends

TVs and gaming consoles (one unit each), solid-wood furniture (Indian humidity), mattresses, outdoor gear, large cookware.

SellUsually not worth it

120V fridges, washers, dryers, microwaves, ACs, power tools without dual voltage, cheap flat-pack furniture.

Bringing your dog or cat to India

If you are moving to India permanently after 2+ years abroad, you can bring up to two pet dogs or cats as baggage without an import licence. You need an advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India's Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS), applied for at least 7 days before the flight, and a government-endorsed health certificate. Pets can only enter through Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Hyderabad.

  • Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) recorded on every document, implanted before the rabies shot.
  • Rabies vaccination given at least 1 month and no more than 12 months before travel, plus core vaccines recorded on the AQCS-format certificate.
  • Health certificate: completed by your vet on the AQCS-format certificate and endorsed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Book the CFIA endorsement appointment early. The owner name must match your travel documents.
  • NOC from the AQCS station at your arrival airport. AQCS aims to issue it within one working day of a complete application.
  • Arrival inspection by the quarantine officer. A pet that passes is released to you; one that shows signs of disease or fails inspection can be quarantined for up to 15 days.
  • Three or more pets, or a move that isn't a permanent relocation after 2+ years abroad, need a DGFT import licence. Allow about a month.

Pets usually fly as manifest cargo or checked baggage depending on the airline, crate size and route, and some airlines accept pets only as cargo on Canada–India routes. Winter cold and summer heat can trigger airline embargoes, so book early. Pet team to add current airline options on Canada–India routes, e.g. Toronto/Vancouver–Delhi.

Pet move date planner

Pikkol pet relocation → We handle the AQCS application, IATA-compliant crates, airline booking and airport pickup in India.

Can you bring your car from Canada to India?

In almost all cases, no. India only registers imported used cars that are right-hand drive, with a speedometer in km/h and lights set for driving on the left, and generally no more than 3 years old. Cars sold in Canada are left-hand drive, so they can't be imported and registered for road use. Vehicles also aren't covered by the TR allowance.

Even an eligible right-hand-drive car has to pass Indian homologation testing (ARAI, ICAT or VRDE), enter through a designated port, carry full import duty, and typically can't be sold for 2 years after import. Used imported cars attract some of India's highest import duties: once every levy is added, the total can exceed the car's own value. Customs broker to confirm current duty structure before publishing a figure.

What we recommend instead:

  • Sell before you fly. Time the sale for your last week. We can move your packing date earlier so you keep the car until the end.
  • Already own a car in India? Pikkol moves cars and two-wheelers between Indian cities on open or enclosed carriers, with a condition report and photos. Useful if your car is with family in one city and you're settling in another.
  • Need parking while you find a home? Ask about vehicle storage with your household goods.
  • Vintage, collector or genuinely right-hand-drive car? Send us the details. We'll tell you plainly whether it qualifies before you spend anything.

Canada-side note: used vehicles leaving Canada must be reported to the CBSA before export, with ownership documents presented in advance. Current CBSA timing with the Canadian partner.

Moving in winter? We schedule packing around snow days and keep liquids, paints and anything that can freeze out of the container. January–February moves are often easier to book.

What if your new home in India isn't ready?

It's common: a flat that's still being finished, a rental you'll pick after you land, or family you'll stay with first. Pikkol can clear your shipment through customs and hold it in managed household storage, then deliver when you're ready, so you don't pay port demurrage. Demand is highest in Bengaluru and Delhi NCR.

Help settling back in India

Coming home after years abroad still means paperwork. Pikkol's settling-in support can help with home search, school search, PAN and banking, a local mobile connection and orientation for family members who haven't lived in India before. See settling-in support →

Pikkol's Take

Bring the home, leave the winter behind.

Families moving back from Canada often ship for a climate they're leaving: parkas, snow tyres, a 120V chest freezer, the second fridge in the garage. India rewards the opposite. Spend your ₹7.5 lakh allowance on furniture you chose, books, art, kids' things and the kitchen you actually cook in; sell or donate the rest in your last month. Send a small air shipment of essentials so the first six weeks feel like home. If you hold a Canadian passport, get your OCI sorted before you book. It's what lets you claim TR as a person of Indian origin.

P
Lakshmi Hari
International Move Consultant, Pikkol

How does Pikkol run a move from Canada to India?

  1. Video survey of your Canada home, with a written CBM estimate and line-by-line quote before you pay anything.
  2. TR check: we confirm your slab, whose name goes on the shipment, and your landing window.
  3. Export packing in Canada by Our Partner, with a numbered inventory you sign.
  4. Freight by LCL, 20ft, 40ft or air, with the vessel and ETA shared once booked.
  5. Indian customs clearance by Pikkol team at Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Mundra or the inland depot nearest your new home.
  6. Delivery, unpacking and debris removal to any of 15,000+ PIN codes in India, or storage until you're ready.
  7. Pets and vehicles handled by our pet relocation and vehicle teams on the same timeline.

Comparing movers? Use our 12 checks for choosing an international mover. They apply to us too.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Canada to India?

Indicatively, a small apartment by shared container (LCL) costs about CA$4,000–7,500 door to door, a 2-bedroom home in a 20ft container about CA$8,000–13,000, and a large house in a 40ft container about CA$13,000–19,500. Indian duty on value above your Transfer of Residence allowance, storage and insurance are extra.

How long does shipping from Canada to India take?

Door to door, a full container takes about 50–80 days and a shared container about 65–100 days, including rail to the Canadian port and transhipment. Air freight takes 7–14 days.

Should I ship from Vancouver or from Montreal/Halifax?

BC and Prairie cargo normally sails from Vancouver, which is often the cheaper route to India. Ontario and Quebec cargo goes from Montreal or Halifax, or by rail to Vancouver. Pikkol quotes the routing that gives the best total time and cost for your city.

What is the duty-free allowance for moving back to India in 2026?

Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, in force from 2 February 2026, Transfer of Residence allows used personal and household goods worth up to ₹7.5 lakh duty-free if you lived abroad for 2 years or more, ₹3 lakh if you lived abroad at least 1 year in the last 2, and ₹1.5 lakh for 3–12 months. You must not have claimed TR in the preceding 3 years.

Is the Transfer of Residence allowance still ₹5 lakh?

No. The ₹5 lakh limit was under the Baggage Rules, 2016. The Baggage Rules, 2026 raised the top Transfer of Residence slab to ₹7.5 lakh from 2 February 2026.

Can Canadian citizens of Indian origin claim Transfer of Residence?

Yes, if they hold an OCI card. OCI cardholders are treated as tourists of Indian origin and get the same Transfer of Residence slabs as Indian passport holders. A Canadian citizen who isn't of Indian origin needs a valid non-tourist Indian visa, and the slab depends on how long they will stay in India.

How many visits to India are allowed for the ₹7.5 lakh TR allowance?

Your total time in India on short visits during the 2 years before your move should not exceed 6 months. If it does, the Principal Commissioner of Customs can condone it in special circumstances such as medical emergencies.

Can my shipment arrive in India before me?

Yes, up to 2 months before you arrive, extendable to 1 year in special circumstances. Goods sent after you land must be dispatched within 1 month of your arrival. Customs clears the shipment against your arrival in India, so an early shipment waits in storage until you land.

Can I bring a TV, fridge or air conditioner from Canada to India duty-free?

Under Transfer of Residence you can include one unit each of items such as a TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, microwave and dishwasher within your allowance. A second unit of the same item is dutiable. Canadian 120V/60Hz appliances often need a transformer in India, so many families sell large appliances before moving.

Will my Canadian appliances work in India?

India uses 230V/50Hz with Type C, D and M plugs. Laptops, phones and most chargers are dual-voltage. Appliances with motors, compressors or heating elements built for 120V need a step-up transformer and may run poorly at 50Hz.

How much gold jewellery can I bring when moving back to India from Canada?

If you lived abroad for more than a year, jewellery is allowed duty-free up to 40 grams for a female passenger and 20 grams for other passengers, assessed by weight, under the Baggage Rules, 2026. Gold or silver bars and coins are not allowed free.

Can I bring my car from Canada to India?

Almost never. India only registers imported used cars that are right-hand drive, have a km/h speedometer and left-traffic headlights, and are generally no more than 3 years old. Canadian cars are left-hand drive, so they can't be imported for road use. Cars are not covered by the Transfer of Residence allowance.

What should I do with my car when moving from Canada to India?

Sell it in your last week in Canada; Pikkol can schedule packing early so you keep the car until you fly. If you already own a car in India, Pikkol can move it between Indian cities and store it while you settle.

Can I bring my dog or cat from Canada to India?

Yes. If you are relocating permanently after 2+ years abroad, up to two dogs or cats can come as baggage without an import licence. You need an AQCS No Objection Certificate applied for at least 7 days before travel, a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a CFIA-endorsed health certificate.

Do pets have to be quarantined in India?

A pet that passes the quarantine officer's inspection on arrival is normally released to you. A pet that shows signs of disease or fails inspection can be quarantined for up to 15 days.

Which Indian airports can my pet fly into from Canada?

Pet dogs and cats can only enter India through Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Direct Canada–India flights mostly land in Delhi, so plan a domestic onward leg or road transfer if you're settling elsewhere.

Should I ship by shared container or a full container from Canada?

Use a shared container (LCL) up to about 13 CBM. From about 14 CBM, a 20ft container usually costs about the same, is sealed at your door and is handled far less.

Is it cheaper to bring things in suitcases than to ship them?

For a few boxes, extra checked bags can be cheaper and faster, and accompanied baggage also counts towards your allowance. Beyond roughly 8–10 bags, or for furniture, a shared container or air freight is usually better value.

Can I move in winter?

Yes. Pikkol schedules packing around snow and ice, protects floors, and keeps liquids and anything that can freeze out of the container. Winter is often easier to book than summer.

Which Indian cities does Pikkol deliver to?

Pikkol delivers across 15,000+ PIN codes in India, including Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi. Cargo for inland cities clears at the port or at an inland container depot near you.

My new home in India isn't ready. Can you store my goods?

Yes. Pikkol can clear your shipment through customs and keep it in managed household storage until your home is ready, then deliver and unpack.

What can't I ship from Canada to India?

Don't pack e-cigarettes or vapes (banned in India), foreign-made drones (import largely prohibited), firearms without an Indian licence, gold or silver bars and coins, meat, seeds, plants or soil, hazardous items such as aerosols, propane or paint, or goods for sale.

What documents do I need for Indian customs when moving back from Canada?

Typically: your passport and OCI card or visa, proof of residence abroad and of the move, a detailed inventory with values, the unaccompanied baggage declaration (Form CBD-II), the bill of lading or air waybill, an authority letter for the customs broker and invoices for newer high-value items.

Is insurance included when moving from Canada to India?

Transit insurance is usually optional and priced as a percentage of the value you declare. Declare replacement value in India, ask for the policy wording, and photograph valuables at packing.

How far ahead should I book a move from Canada to India?

Start 8–12 weeks before your flight to allow for a survey, a TR check, OCI or visa paperwork, pet documents with CFIA endorsement, and container booking.

Plan your move home from Canada

Free video survey, TR check and a door-to-door quote in CA$ with every line item shown.

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