Storage Facility Noida Best Solution for Household Storage
Need extra space at home? Store your furniture and belongings safely with flexible storage solutions...
Moving from India to the USA: cost, transit time and customs
The short answer
- A 2BHK (≈18 CBM) usually ships in a 20ft container for about ₹4.5–6.5 lakh door to door; a 1BHK by LCL is about ₹3.3–4.7 lakh.
- Sea freight takes 55–80 days door to door by FCL and 65–95 days by LCL. Air takes 7–14 days.
- The key customs paperwork is CBP Form 3299, a detailed inventory and an ISF (10+2) filing lodged before the container is loaded in India.
- Used household goods you have owned and used abroad are generally duty-free; alcohol, tobacco, food and plant items are not.
Prices are indicative door-to-door ranges in INR, excluding duties, destination inspection fees and insurance. Get an exact figure with the cost calculator or a free survey.
India to USA at a glance
| Origin ports | Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Main US ports | New York/Newark, Savannah, Houston, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle/Tacoma |
| Sea transit, port to port | 30–45 days (usually via a transhipment hub) |
| Door to door, FCL / LCL | 55–80 days / 65–95 days |
| Air, door to door | 7–14 days |
| Key customs form | CBP Form 3299 + ISF (10+2) for sea |
| Duty on used household goods | Generally free if owned and used abroad |
| Mains power | 120V / 60Hz, Type A/B plugs |
How much does it cost to move from India to the USA?
For most families, a door-to-door move from India to the USA costs between ₹3.3–4.7 lakh for a 1BHK and ₹7–9.5 lakh for a 4BHK. Volume, not weight, drives the price for sea freight.
| Home size | Typical volume | Usual method | Indicative cost (door to door) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BHK / studio | ≈10.3 CBM | LCL (shared container) | ₹3.3–4.7 lakh |
| 2BHK | ≈18.3 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) | ₹4.5–6.5 lakh |
| 3BHK | ≈27.7 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) — full load | ₹4.5–6.5 lakh |
| 4BHK / villa | ≈40.3 CBM | 40ft container (FCL) | ₹7–9.5 lakh |
| Air — essentials only | ≈250 kg | Air freight | ₹138k–₹212k |
Volumes are Pikkol's standard averages for Indian homes. Your actual volume depends on furniture, books and appliances — a written survey fixes it. LCL is priced per CBM; containers are priced per box. Excludes duties/taxes, destination exam or inspection fees, storage and insurance (typically 3.1% of declared value).
Rates used: LCL ₹32,000–46,000 per CBM; 20ft ₹450,000–650,000; 40ft ₹700,000–950,000; air
₹550–850/kg chargeable. Replace with approved rates.
Want your own number? Use the International Moving Cost Calculator — add rooms and items, and it picks LCL, 20ft or 40ft for you.
Should you ship LCL or a full container to the USA?
LCL makes sense up to roughly 13 CBM, which covers most 1BHKs and lightly furnished 2BHKs. Your goods share a container and are consolidated at a CFS in India, then deconsolidated at a US warehouse near the destination port. Add two to three weeks for consolidation and deconsolidation.
A 20ft FCL wins from about 14 CBM. It holds 25–28 CBM of household goods, is sealed at your door, and avoids the extra handling that causes most damage claims on this long route.
East or West Coast matters. Moving to Texas, the East Coast or the Midwest? Your container usually lands at New York/Newark, Savannah or Houston. For California, Washington or Oregon, it comes into Los Angeles/Long Beach or Seattle. Inland cities like Chicago or Dallas add a rail or truck leg of 5–10 days.
Not sure? The Sea vs Air, LCL vs FCL guide recommends a method from your volume, deadline and fragile items.
How long does shipping from India to the USA take?
Plan for 55–80 days door to door by full container, 65–95 days by LCL, and 7–14 days by air. Here's where the time goes:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Survey, quote and packing date fixed | 1–3 weeks before packing |
| Packing, export customs, loading | 3–7 days |
| ISF lodged with US CBP | At least 24 hours before loading at the Indian port |
| Ocean voyage incl. transhipment | 30–45 days |
| US customs clearance (longer if selected for exam) | 3–10 days |
| Delivery to your US home | 2–10 days depending on distance inland |
Transit times vary with sailing schedules, transhipment, peak season and customs selection. Your coordinator shares the vessel and ETA once booked.
Which customs documents do you need for the USA?
Keep these ready. Pikkol prepares the inventory and customs forms from your packing list, but some can only come from you.
| Document | Who provides it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy with US visa page | You | Before packing |
| CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) | You, signed; lodged by the US agent | Before arrival |
| Supplemental Declaration for Unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects | You | Before arrival |
| Detailed inventory in English with values | Pikkol at packing | At packing |
| ISF (Importer Security Filing, 10+2) | Pikkol's US partner | ≥24 hours before loading |
| Original Bill of Lading / Air Waybill | Shipping line or airline | After loading |
| I-94 arrival record and US address | You | After you land |
| Customs power of attorney (CBP Form 5291) | You | Before clearance |
Do you pay customs duty on household goods in the USA?
Household effects and personal belongings you owned and used abroad, for your own use (not for sale), generally enter the US free of duty. That is why the inventory, Form 3299 and your visa copy must line up.
Alcohol is dutiable and state rules apply. Tobacco is limited. New, unused items in the shipment may be dutiable.
A late or inaccurate ISF can trigger CBP penalties and holds, so the filing has to be done by the mover's US partner before the container sails.
US Customs picks some shipments for X-ray or physical exam. Exam fees and the storage while you wait are billed at destination, often US$900.
Customs rules change. This summary reflects official guidance as of 28 September 2026; the officer's decision at clearance is final. See sources below.
Get the Exact Quote →What can't you ship from India to the USA?
Leave these out of your household shipment, or check with us first:
- Food of animal origin, including meat, ghee-based sweets and many dairy items (USDA/APHIS rules)
- Seeds, soil, plants, fresh fruit and vegetables
- Firearms and ammunition without permits
- Prescription medicines beyond personal quantities; keep them in your hand baggage with the prescription
- Counterfeit branded goods
- Pressurised cans, fuel, paint, gas cylinders and other hazardous goods (these can't go in any shipment)
Appliances, cars and pets: what's different for the USA?
Electronics and appliances
The US runs on 120V/60Hz. Indian 230V appliances need a step-down transformer, and motors and clocks may run incorrectly because of the 60Hz frequency. Laptops and phone chargers are usually dual-voltage. Most families sell or leave behind mixers, microwaves, ACs and washing machines — use our Ship, Sell or Store tool item by item.
Cars
Indian-market vehicles rarely meet US EPA and DOT standards, and right-hand drive adds complexity. Unless the car is over 25 years old, shipping it is generally not practical. Budget for buying locally instead.
Pets
India is classed as high-risk for dog rabies under the CDC rules. Dogs need a microchip, must be at least 6 months old, and need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt; additional vaccination and entry-airport rules apply. Plan 3–4 months ahead with our pet relocation team.
Pikkol's Take
Ship the home you'll keep, fly the first six weeks.
On this corridor, the container is at sea for over a month and many US rentals come part-furnished. The families who are happiest on arrival ship furniture, books, kitchenware and sentimental items by sea, and send a small air shipment (100–200 kg) with work clothes, kids' essentials and kitchen basics, so they are not living out of suitcases for two months.
Leave most large Indian appliances behind. The transformer, the freight and the risk rarely beat buying locally. And insist that your mover names its US partner and confirms who files the ISF — that one filing decides whether your goods clear on time.
P
Lakshmi Hari
International Move Consultant, Pikkol · 42 moves to the USA planned
International Move Consultant, Pikkol · 42 moves to the USA planned
How does Pikkol run an India to USA move?
- Video or in-home survey, with a written CBM estimate before you pay anything
- Export packing with sea-worthy cartons and crating for glass, art and furniture
- US-side customs clearance and delivery by a named destination partner: American Relocation Experts, New York
- ISF filing and Form 3299 preparation handled for you
- Transit insurance options at 2.3% of declared value
- A single move coordinator from survey to unpacking in the US
Before you choose any mover, run through our 12 checks to choose an international mover, and compare quotes line by line with the Exact quote.
India to USA moving FAQs
How much does it cost to move from India to the USA?
Indicatively, a 1BHK (about 10 CBM) by LCL costs ₹3.3–4.7 lakh, a 2BHK in a 20ft container ₹4.5–6.5 lakh, and a 4BHK in a 40ft container ₹7–9.5 lakh, door to door. Duties, destination exam fees and insurance are extra. The exact price depends on volume, US state and access at both homes.
How long does sea shipping take from India to the USA?
Port to port takes 30–45 days. Door to door, allow 55–80 days for a full container and 65–95 days for LCL, because shared containers wait to be filled and are unpacked at a US warehouse.
What customs forms do I need to ship household goods to the USA?
You need CBP Form 3299, a Supplemental Declaration for unaccompanied household effects, a passport and visa copy, a detailed inventory and the bill of lading. For sea shipments, an ISF (10+2) filing must also be lodged at least 24 hours before loading in India.
Do I pay customs duty on used household goods in the USA?
Generally no. Used personal and household effects you owned and used abroad, for your own use, are usually duty-free. Alcohol, tobacco and new or commercial goods can be charged.
Should I choose LCL or a 20ft container for India to USA?
Choose LCL up to about 13 CBM. From about 14 CBM, a 20ft container usually costs the same or less, is faster and involves less handling. Most 2BHK and 3BHK homes fit in a 20ft.
Can I take Indian appliances to the USA?
You can, but the US uses 120V/60Hz, so 230V appliances need a transformer and some may not work properly. Laptops and phone chargers are usually fine. Most people sell or store large appliances.
Can I send food items like spices and pickles to the USA?
Commercially packed, sealed dry spices are often allowed but must be declared. Meat, many dairy items, fresh produce, seeds and home-made foods are restricted. Keep food out of the household shipment to avoid holds.
When should I book my India to USA move?
Book 6–8 weeks before your preferred packing date, so there's time for the survey, documents and ISF. Packing typically happens 1–2 weeks before you fly, so the goods arrive soon after you have an address.
Plan your move to the USA
Free video survey, written CBM estimate and a door-to-door quote with every line item shown.
Recent Blogs
Storage Units Delhi: A Smart Solution for Flexible Household Storage
Create more space at home and keep your valuable belongings organised until you need them again. De...
Storage Space for Rent Gurgaon: Your Extra Household Belongings
Create more room at home and keep your important belongings safely stored whenever you need extra sp...