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Moving from the USA to India: cost, customs, pets and cars
The short answer
- A 2BHK-sized home (≈18 CBM) usually ships in a 20ft container for about US$6,000–9,500 door to door; a small apartment by shared container about US$3,000–5,500.
- Sea freight takes 45–75 days door to door by full container and 60–95 days shared. Air takes 7–14 days.
- Under India's Baggage Rules, 2026, if you lived abroad for 2+ years you can bring household goods worth up to ₹7.5 lakh duty-free (Transfer of Residence). OCI cardholders qualify too.
- Up to two dogs or cats can come with an AQCS No Objection Certificate. Most US cars can't be imported: India only accepts right-hand-drive vehicles.
Prices are indicative door-to-door ranges in US$, excluding Indian duty on value above your allowance, storage and insurance. Get an exact figure with a free video survey.
USA to India at a glance
| Common US origin regions | Bay Area, Seattle, New York/New Jersey, Texas, Chicago, Atlanta, Southern California and more; pickup anywhere in the lower 48 Alaska |
|---|---|
| US export ports | New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, Houston; Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma |
| Indian arrival ports | Nhava Sheva (JNPT, Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai; inland depots for Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad |
| Sea transit, port to port | About 30–45 days from the East Coast; 35–50 days from the West Coast (usually via a transhipment hub) |
| Door to door, FCL / LCL / air | 45–75 days / 60–95 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 + USDA APHIS-endorsed certificate; 6 entry airports |
| Cars | Left-hand-drive US cars generally can't be imported |
| Power | US 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 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 the USA to India?
Most families pay between US$3,000 for a small apartment by shared container and US$14,500 for a large house in a 40ft container, door to door. Volume, distance to the US port and your Indian delivery city drive the price.
| Home size | Typical volume | Usual method | Indicative cost, door to door (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed apartment | ≈8–12 CBM | LCL (shared container) | US$3,000–5,500 |
| 2-bed (2BHK-sized) | ≈16–20 CBM | 20ft container (FCL) | US$6,000–9,500 |
| 3-bed house | ≈25–30 CBM | 20ft container, full load | US$7,000–10,500 |
| 4-bed+ house | ≈40–55 CBM | 40ft container (FCL) | US$9,500–14,500 |
| Air: essentials only | ≈200–300 kg | Air freight | US$2,000–3,500 |
Includes packing at your the US 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 3.5% 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 US freight-forwarder figures put a 20ft container at about US$2,500–4,500 port to port and US$3,500–7,500 door to door, and full-household moves at about US$6,000–10,000+. Those figures often leave out US packing labour, Indian clearance or inland delivery. 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 the US, 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. On this route, US packing labour is the expensive part, and most large 120V appliances won't work well in India. Families who sell appliances and cheap furniture in the US, and ship furniture they love, books, kitchenware and sentimental items, usually save on both freight and duty.
How long does shipping from the USA to India take?
Plan for 45–75 days door to door by full container, 60–95 days by shared container and 7–14 days by air. East Coast sailings to Nhava Sheva are often the most direct; West Coast cargo usually tranships via a hub port.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Survey, quote and booking | 1–3 weeks before packing |
| Packing and loading at your US home | 1–3 days |
| Truck or rail to the US port; export handling | 3–10 days (longer from inland cities) |
| 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 the US?
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 |
Customs broker to confirm the current document list for unaccompanied baggage at the clearing port/ICD.
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
the US 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: issued by a USDA-accredited vet through APHIS's online VEHCS system and endorsed by USDA APHIS. The printed, endorsed certificate travels with your pet.
- 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; cabin travel into India is rarely possible. Summer heat embargoes can limit cargo pets on some routes, so book early. Pet team to add current airline options on US–India routes. Thinking you might move back to the US one day? The CDC treats India as high-risk for dog rabies, so keep your dog's US vaccination records and microchip details. Returning will need CDC paperwork.
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 the US 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 the US 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.
US-side note: if a car does qualify, US Customs requires the title and export documents to be presented at the port at least 72 hours before export.
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 →
Come home with the life you built, not the appliances you bought.
Most families moving back from the US over-ship. They pay to send a 120V fridge, a dryer and flat-pack furniture halfway round the world, then pay duty on the excess and buy a transformer they don't need. Spend your ₹7.5 lakh allowance on the things India doesn't sell you: furniture you chose, books, art, kids' things, the kitchen you cook in. Sell the rest in your last month. Fly with a small air shipment of essentials so the first six weeks don't feel like camping. And plan the date backwards from your arrival: your container may land up to two months before you, but it clears against your passport.
International Move Consultant, Pikkol
How does Pikkol run a move from the US to India?
- Video survey of your the US home, with a written CBM estimate and line-by-line quote before you pay anything.
- TR check: we confirm your slab, whose name goes on the shipment, and your landing window.
- Export packing in the US with a numbered inventory you sign.
- Freight by LCL, 20ft, 40ft or air, with the vessel and ETA shared once booked.
- Indian customs clearance by Pikkol team at Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Mundra or the inland depot nearest your new home.
- Delivery, unpacking and debris removal to any of 15,000+ PIN codes in India, or storage until you're ready.
- 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 the USA to India?
Indicatively, a small apartment by shared container (LCL) costs about US$3,000–5,500 door to door, a 2-bedroom home in a 20ft container about US$6,000–9,500, and a large house in a 40ft container about US$9,500–14,500. Indian duty on value above your Transfer of Residence allowance, storage and insurance are extra. A video survey fixes your exact volume and price.
How long does it take to ship household goods from the USA to India?
Door to door, a full container takes about 45–75 days and a shared container about 60–95 days. The ocean leg is roughly 30–45 days from the East Coast and 35–50 days from the West Coast. Air freight takes 7–14 days.
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. Many older guides still quote ₹5 lakh.
Can US citizens with an OCI card claim Transfer of Residence?
Yes. OCI cardholders are treated as tourists of Indian origin, and the Baggage Rules, 2026 give residents and tourists of Indian origin the same Transfer of Residence slabs. A US citizen who isn't of Indian origin needs a valid non-tourist Indian visa, and the slab then 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 the US 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, dishwasher and gaming console within your allowance. A second unit of the same item is dutiable. US 120V/60Hz appliances often need a transformer in India, so many families sell large appliances before moving.
Will my American appliances work in India?
India uses 230V/50Hz with Type C, D and M plugs. Laptops, phones and most chargers are dual-voltage and work with a plug adapter. Appliances with motors, compressors or heating elements built for 120V need a step-up transformer and may run poorly at 50Hz, so shipping them is rarely worth it.
How much gold jewellery can I bring when moving back to India?
If you lived abroad for more than a year, the Baggage Rules, 2026 allow jewellery duty-free up to 40 grams for a female passenger and 20 grams for other passengers, assessed by weight. Gold or silver bars and coins are not allowed free.
Can I bring my car from the USA 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. US cars are left-hand drive, so they can't be imported for road use. Cars are also not covered by the Transfer of Residence allowance.
What should I do with my car when moving from the US to India?
Sell it in your last week in the US; 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 on an open or enclosed carrier and store it while you find a home.
Can I bring my dog or cat from the USA 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 USDA APHIS-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 at the airport's quarantine station.
Which Indian airports can my pet fly into?
Pet dogs and cats can only enter India through Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Animal Quarantine and Certification Service stations operate.
Should I ship by shared container or a full container from the US?
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. Most 2- and 3-bedroom homes fit in a 20ft container.
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 and less stressful.
Which Indian cities does Pikkol deliver to?
Pikkol delivers across 15,000+ PIN codes in India, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi and Ahmedabad. 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. This avoids paying port charges while you wait.
What can't I ship from the USA 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 and propane, or goods for sale.
What documents do I need for Indian customs when moving back?
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.
Do I have to be present at Indian customs clearance?
Customs clears your goods against your arrival in India and your documents. A licensed customs broker handles the filing, and customs may examine the shipment. Pikkol confirms whether you or an authorised representative must attend at your clearing port.
Is insurance included when moving from the USA 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 the US to India?
Start 8–12 weeks before your flight. That leaves time for a survey, a TR check, pet paperwork and booking container space. Packing usually happens 1–3 weeks before you fly.
Does Pikkol handle corporate repatriation from the US to India?
Yes. Pikkol works with HR teams on employee moves, with policy-based quotes, a single point of contact and reporting. Employer-sponsored moves follow the same Transfer of Residence rules.
Plan your move home from the US
Free video survey, TR check and a door-to-door quote in US$ with every line item shown.
Sources
- Baggage Rules, 2026 — Notification 14/2026-Customs (N.T.), in force 2 Feb 2026
- PIB — Government notifies Baggage Rules, 2026 and Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026
- Bengaluru Customs — Public Notice 03/2026 (declarations, CBD forms, unaccompanied baggage)
- Mumbai Customs Zone III — FAQs (baggage duty, pets, currency declaration)
- USDA APHIS — Pet travel from the United States to India (updated 27 Feb 2026)
- USDA APHIS — India SOP for import of pet dogs
- DGFT — Import of dogs/cats: general information
- CDC — Bringing a dog into the United States
Last reviewed 5 October 2026 by Lakshmi Hari and This page summarises official guidance and is not legal or customs advice; the customs officer's decision at clearance is final.