Yes, you can ship cartons from London to Chennai without furniture—and honestly, a lot of people do exactly that. Students send books and clothes. Families send extra household items. Working folks ship things ahead of time so they don’t carry heavy luggage on the flight. In shipping terms, this is usually treated as unaccompanied baggage or personal effects.

At Deliv International Movers, we handle carton shipping from London to Chennai regularly through air cargo (faster) and sea cargo LCL/groupage (more budget-friendly). The only “trick” is choosing the right mode, packing the cartons properly, and keeping the paperwork clean—because customs in India likes clarity, not confusion.

Below is a practical, human-style guide (no fancy talk) on how it works. Get details about Shipping Household Goods from Canada to Chennai

First things first: What counts as “cartons only shipping”?

Cartons-only shipping simply means you’re sending boxes, not a full home relocation. No sofa, no bed, no wardrobes—just cartons with personal items.

This is typically shipped as:

• Unaccompanied baggage (used personal items)
• Personal effects cargo
• LCL sea cargo (if by sea—shared container space)

Best shipping options: Air cargo vs Sea cargo (LCL)

This choice decides your cost and delivery time. So let’s keep it simple.

1) Air cargo (fast, but can get pricey)

If you want the cartons quickly, air cargo is the best option.

Air cargo is good for:

• 1–6 cartons (small shipment)
• Clothes, documents, lightweight household items
• Urgent deliveries (student intake, new job, family reasons)

Normal transit time: around 5–12 days (including clearance and delivery)

2) Sea cargo LCL / Groupage (slower, cheaper for more cartons)

If you’re sending several cartons, sea freight LCL usually makes more financial sense. Your cartons share a container with other shipments going to India.

Sea cargo is good for:

• 6+ cartons
• Heavier items like books, utensils, mixed household items
• Non-urgent shipments

Normal transit time: around 4–8 weeks (sometimes longer during peak season)

“How much will it cost?” — what actually affects the price

There’s no single flat rate because pricing depends on weight/volume and the service type. The cost is usually based on:

• Chargeable weight (for air)
  Airline charges the higher of actual weight vs volumetric weight
• CBM (cubic meter) (for sea LCL)
• Pickup location in London (some areas cost more for collection)
• Delivery location in Chennai (building access, floors, etc.)
• Customs handling and destination charges
• Insurance (optional)

Quick comparison table (easy view)

Mode	Best for	Transit (typical)	Charged by	Notes
Air cargo	Small + urgent cartons	5–12 days	chargeable weight	faster, higher cost
Sea cargo (LCL)	More cartons + budget	4–8 weeks	CBM/volume	cheaper for bigger loads
Door-to-door	Convenience	varies	service package	pickup + clearance + delivery

Small but important note:
If your cartons are light but bulky (blankets, winter jackets), air cargo may cost more because of volumetric weight. In that case, sea cargo can feel like a relief.

What can I pack in cartons from London to Chennai?

Most used personal household items are fine. The main thing is: don’t ship restricted goods or large quantities of brand-new items.

Usually fine (common carton items)

• Clothes, shoes, bags
• Books, toys, household linen
• Kitchen utensils, cookware
• Used home items (small)
• Small appliances (limited quantity)

Items that can cause delays (be careful)

• Brand-new items in bulk (looks like commercial import)
• Multiple electronics (more duties / more questions)
• Perfumes, liquids, cosmetics in quantity
• Food (particularly homemade, or with no label)
• Medicines (can require prescription/proof)

When in doubt, ask before packing. Even a single “problem item” can hold up the entire shipment.

Packing tips that actually save your shipment

Most damages happen due to weak cartons and bad sealing. So pack it like it’s going to be moved 10 times (because it probably will).

Packing checklist (simple but solid)

• Use double-wall cartons (strong boxes)
• Put heavy items at the bottom
• Wrap breakables with bubble wrap and fill gaps
• Tape properly (H-taping style)
• Label each carton clearly: Box 1 of 8, Box 2 of 8…
• Keep one printed packing list inside one carton (helps during checks)

Also, don’t make one carton too heavy. If a box becomes 35–40 kg, it tears, it hurts handlers, and it becomes a headache. Read on Shipping Household Goods from Canada to Mumbai

Documents needed to ship cartons to Chennai

Paperwork isn’t scary, but it must be consistent.

Common documents

• Passport copy (shipper)
• Indian address + contact details (receiver)
• Packing list (best if carton-wise)
• Declared value / simple invoice (even for used goods)
• Authorization letter (sometimes requested by agent/customs)

If the shipment is for a family member in Chennai, we can structure it properly so it remains clear that the goods are personal.

Related Articles: 

» How to Ship Electronic Goods from China to India

» Shipping Routes from London, UK to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata & Cochin (India)

» Air or Sea: Which Option Is Best to Ship Personal Effects from the UK to India?

» How to Ship Personal Effects from UK to India?

» How to Relocate to Netherlands from India?

Chennai customs: what to realistically expect

Customs clearance can be quick—or it can take time. It depends on workload, item type, and whether your cartons look “personal” or “commercial”.

How to reduce customs issues

• Keep goods as used personal effects (when true)
• Avoid sending big quantities of new items
• Don’t under-declare expensive items
• Keep packing list clear (not too vague like “misc items” only)
• Avoid mixing restricted items

Yes, cartons may be opened for inspection. That’s normal. The goal is: let them check easily and close it back without confusion.

Door-to-door vs port-to-port: what’s better for cartons?

For most people, door-to-door is the easiest and safest route. It includes pickup in London and delivery in Chennai after customs.

Port-to-port can look cheaper, but then you handle:

• port charges
• customs agent coordination
• transport from port to your home
• paperwork follow-ups

So unless you’ve done this before, door-to-door keeps life calmer. Get details on Shipping Household Goods from Ireland to India

Typical delivery timeline (real-world)

Here’s a realistic view (not “marketing time”):

• Air cargo: roughly 1–2 weeks
• Sea cargo (LCL): roughly 4–8+ weeks

Sea shipments can extend due to consolidation schedules and port processing. So if your items are needed urgently, air is safer.

Quick final tips before you book

• Weigh and measure cartons for accurate quoting
• Don’t pack prohibited stuff “just once”
• Take photos of each carton contents before sealing
• Consider insurance if the value matters
• Keep the packing list honest and neat

If you want to ship cartons only (no furniture), that’s totally normal—and Deliv International Movers can guide you to pick the best method based on carton count, budget, and urgency.

FAQs: Can I Ship Cartons from London to Chennai Without Furniture?