Packing up your whole life and sending it to another country sounds simple on paper… but in real life it’s messy. One minute you’re excited about moving to India, and next minute you’re staring at your sofa, kitchen boxes, and random “important” stuff thinking: How will all this reach safely?

If you’re planning to relocate and you’re searching for how to ship household goods to India with Deliv International Movers, this guide will walk you through the full process—without confusing shipping words, and without the boring “salesy” talk.

You’ll learn what to ship, what not to ship, which freight option makes sense, what customs usually needs, and how Deliv helps from pickup to delivery. Get details on Shipping from Toronto to India

Why people choose Deliv for shipping household goods to India

International shipping isn’t only about moving cartons. It’s also about doing things in the right order, or else you get delays, extra charges, and sometimes lost time that you can’t get back.

Many families that are moving use Deliv International Movers because they help with the complete chain:

• Door-to-door shipping to India (pickup → packing → freight → delivery)
• Sea freight and air freight options
• Groupage shipping (LCL) for smaller moves
• Full container shipping (FCL) for bigger households
• Professional export packing + proper inventory list
• Guidance on India customs clearance for personal effects
• Optional insurance coverage (recommended, honestly)

Step 1: Request a home survey (or video survey) first

This is the step people skip and later regret.

A survey helps Deliv estimate:

• The total shipment volume (CBM)
• What needs special handling (TV, artwork, antiques, glass tables)
• Whether you need LCL (shared container) or a full container
• Packing effort required (full pack vs partial)
• Pickup access (stairs, lift, narrow corridors… those things matter)

Once they do, they can offer you a quote that is closer to what real pricing will be — not an arbitrary one.

Step 2: Pick the right shipping method (sea vs air)

Option A: Sea freight to India (most popular)

Sea freight is the most common method for household moves because it’s usually cheaper for bulk items.

You can ship by:

1) LCL / Groupage shipping to India
Your goods share space in a container with other shipments. This is best if you’re sending cartons + a few furniture items.

2) FCL / Full container shipping to India
You get your own container. This makes sense for bigger homes, and it can feel more “controlled” because everything is together.

Option B: Air freight to India (fast, but higher cost)

Air freight is great for urgent items:

• baby essentials
• clothes you need quickly
• documents (though originals are better carried with you)
• immediate home basics

Most families do a mix: air for essentials + sea for the rest. It’s a smart plan. Get details on Shipping from Canada to Mumbai

Step 3: Decide what to ship and what to leave behind

Shipping cost depends on volume. So the more you ship, the more you pay. Simple.

Usually worth shipping:

• Clothes, books, kitchenware
• Good quality furniture (if it’s expensive to replace)
• Kids’ items that are still useful
• Personal items with emotional value (photos, décor, etc.)

Usually not worth shipping:

• cheap appliances you can buy again
• extra old furniture that’s already worn out
• random “just in case” items (you won’t miss them, trust me)

And avoid anything restricted. If you’re not sure, ask Deliv before packing it.

Step 4: Packing matters more than people think

Bad packing = broken items + carton collapse + scratches + water damage (yes, moisture happens, especially with sea freight).

Deliv uses export-quality packing methods like:

• strong double-wall cartons
• bubble wrap + foam for fragile goods
• wrapping and padding for furniture
• moisture protection layers for sea shipments
• crating for glass tops, artwork, antiques, TV panels

Also, they prepare a proper packing list / inventory. This is important for customs and also for you—because later you’ll forget what you packed in “Box 27”.

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Step 5: Documents required to ship household goods to India

India customs wants clear paperwork. And the specific requirements vary based on your circumstances (OCI, Indian passport holder, work visa, returning resident etc.), but these are typically requested:

Document	Why it’s needed
Passport copy	Identity proof
Visa / OCI / Indian passport	Residency/status proof
Packing list (inventory)	Customs checks and item clarity
Bill of Lading / Airway Bill	Shipment transport proof
Address + phone contact in India	Delivery coordination
Authorization letter (if required)	For customs clearance support

Deliv will guide you on what’s needed for your case, because it’s not always “one rule for everyone”.

Step 6: How India customs works (simple explanation)

Customs is the part that makes people nervous. But when paperwork is clean, it usually goes okay.

What helps:

• A detailed inventory (not “misc items”)
• No banned or suspicious items
• Honest description of electronics
• Not shipping large quantities of brand-new sealed goods (it can look commercial)

What causes delays:

• missing entry stamp proof
• unclear inventory
• restricted items hidden inside boxes
• paperwork mismatch (names, addresses, etc.)

Sometimes shipments are inspected. That’s normal. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong.

Step 7: Delivery and unpacking in India

Afterward they can produce a quote that is closer to real pricing, not a After customs clearance, Deliv arranges the delivery to your house in India. Here are some of the things the service could include:

• carton placement room-wise
• unpacking and debris removal
• reassembly of furniture (if part of package)

A small tip: keep your inventory on your phone and tick cartons off while unloading. It saves confusion later. Get details about Shipping from Canada to Chennai 

Shipping timeline + cost factors (what affects the quote)

Prices change based on a few clear things:

Cost Factor	What it impacts
Total shipment volume (CBM)	Bigger volume = higher cost
Sea vs air	Air is faster but expensive
LCL vs FCL	FCL costs more but can be smoother
Packing & crating	More protection = higher price
Destination city in India	Inland delivery costs vary
Customs inspection/time	May affect timeline
Insurance	Adds cost, but reduces risk

To cut cost: ship less, pack properly, avoid restricted items, and don’t rush everything by air unless needed.

Quick “don’t mess this up” checklist

• Don’t ship important originals (carry them)
• Label cartons by room (Kitchen, Bedroom, etc.)
• Keep a small “arrival essentials” bag with you
• Photograph valuables before packing
• Don’t write vague inventory like “misc” everywhere

FAQs : Shipping Household Goods to India