Moving to India guide

Moving to India

Inde / Índia / Indien

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A Guide to Relocating to India

Want to move to New Delhi? Considering moving to Mumbai? Or thinking about an international removal to Bangalore. Here’s the moving advice you’ll need for any international removal to India…

Moving Household Goods And Personal Effects To India

Below is a list of the documents you will need when planning an international removal to India:

  • Original Passport (Of the individual moving/importing the goods) (copy of Passport duly certified is accepted for diplomats)
  • Valued list of articles with date of purchase
  • Baggage customs declaration signed by owner of the goods
  • Removal packing list – We will complete this if you want us to undertake a full packing service for your removal
  • Authority letters (diplomats / non-diplomats, refer to agents for more information)
  • Duty-free exemption certificate issued by diplomatic organization in India
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / sea waybill / copy of air waybill (AWB) – We will take care of this if completing the entire international removal to India for you.
  • Original residence permit (foreigners)
  • Valid visa / PIO card for foreign nationals
  • Employment letter / transfer letter / assignment letters
  • List of electronic items

We recommend providing these as soon as possible to reduce delays with your removal to India. Late receipt of documentation can lead to missed shipments, additional charges and penalties at Indian Customs. For your own protection, we will almost never ship your goods without the above in place.

Additional Removal Advice

  • The removal packing list must be stamped by the Consulate / the Embassy for diplomatic shipments.
  • The owner of the goods must be present for Customs clearance.
  • All shipments are subject to Customs examination unless a diplomatic shipment.
  • All containers (except diplomat) are offloaded at the point of entry (POE) / (TOE) and reloaded into vans.
  • Foreign nationals must possess a visa valid for 1 year.
  • Indian nationals must have lived abroad for at least 2 years preceding transfer to India and intend to reside in India for a period of at least 1 year.
    • Owner of the goods must have not must not have visited India for more than 180 days in the preceding 2 years.
  • Air shipments must be dispatched from the origin airport within 15 days after the arrival of the owner of the goods in India.
  • Sea shipments must be dispatched from the origin seaport within 1 month after the arrival of the owner of the goods in India.
  • Shipments may arrive at the India airport / seaport 2 months prior to arrival of the owner of the goods; however, the shipment will be subject to demurrage or detention as applicable.
  • Electronic items should be loaded in the front (opening side) of the container or lift-van
  • A list of electronic items should be provided on a separate sheet.

Note: Customs regulations are the same throughout India. However, the regulations may be interpreted differently amongst the various Customs offices.

Helpful Downloads

Everything you need to help you plan your move.

PDF

My Move Checklist

To help you keep on track with your international removal.

PDF

Removal Inventory / Packing List:

For use if you need to provide a removal packing list or moving inventory yourself for your international removal service.

XLS

Removal Survey Cubic Calculator:

For use if you need to find out the volume of your move before making an enquiry. Remember when doing an international move, to allow a little more space for loading volume.

PDF

Easy Self Survey Tool:

For use for you to better describe the requirements of your move. This outlines all the things that a professional international removal company would need to know to physically move your goods.

PDF

International Removal Insurance Form:

If you're taking out insurance with us, download this form, complete it and email it back to your international relocation manager.

Useful Links

We always recommend speaking directly to the relevant embassy for the most accurate and up to date moving advice:

Popular Destinations in India

Global Moving Services is vastly experience in international removals to cities all over the globe. Their long history and detailed knowledge of different countries makes them the perfect choice for your move. Here are some of the most popular destinations we are asked to move people to in India:

Mumbai (Maharashtra), Delhi, Bangalore (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad (Telangana), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Kolkata (West Bengal), Surat (Gujarat), Pune (Maharashtra), Jaipur (Rajasthan). Get a quote to one of these places

Need Help?

If you are unsure about what you need, one of our international move managers is always willing to help. Just call us on +44 121 392 1720, or fill out an international removal enquiry, and we’ll ease you through the process.

Moving Your Money

If you’re moving to India, it’s very likely you’ll have to exchange a large amount of currency. Many people waste thousands doing this through their bank as they think there is no alternative; but we partner with Global Reach who specialise in doing just this. Global Reach will offer all Global Moving Services customers preferential rates when exchanging currency and guarantee to beat other rates you’re receiving. Ask one of our move managers about this, to find out more click here or give us a call: +44 121 392 1720.

Get Insurance

We always advise taking out an insurance policy with us on every move. Although we like to think we’re the best in the industry, the odd accident can occasionally happen. For added peace of mind, make sure to speak to one of our move managers about this.

If you have already contracted us for your international removal to India, then you can download the insurance form and email the completed form back to your international relocation manager.

Moving Your Car Or Motorcycle

Below is a list of the documents you will need when planning to move your vehicle to India:

  • Original Passport (Of the individual moving/importing the goods)
  • Original manufacturer’s invoice
  • Insurance policy
  • Certificate of title / registration
  • OBL
  • Duty exemption certificate (applicable only to diplomatic relocations / diplomats moving)
  • Import license

Note: Not all ports / terminals in India are allowed to import cars. It is advisable to check with the destination agent / branch prior to shipping.

Additional Import Advice

  • The import of motor vehicles is a detailed, conditional and complicated procedure and is not recommended.
  • Duties are generally higher than 100%.
  • Diplomatic motor vehicles are allowed to be imported free of duty if covered by a duty exemption certificate issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, subject to the Ministry approval.
  • Only right-hand drive vehicles are allowed to be imported
  • Only cards that meet Euro III pollution norms are allowed (must have manufacturer’s certificate)
  • New vehicles may only be imported from the country of manufacture.
  • Used vehicles can only be imported through the Customs port at Mumbai.

Relocating Your Pets to India

These documents will be required when planning to relocate your pet to India:

  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Vaccination record

Additional Import Advice

  • Only one cat, dog or parrot may be imported at the time of shipment.
Restricted & Dutiable/Taxable Items

Think very carefully before moving these items to India. Items on this list will be taxed and/or require specific permission to import. In all cases they must be declared prior to you relocating to India:

  • New items are subject to duties (invoice must be supplied).
  • Customs duties are approximately 15.45% to be levied on the following items:
  • Televisions
  • Digital video disc players
  • Video home theatres
  • Music systems
  • Microwaves
  • Dishwashers
  • Air conditioners
  • Refrigerators above 300 L or equivalent
  • Deep freezers
  • Fax machines
  • Word processors
  • Video cameras
  • Portable photocopying machines
  • Gold or silver in any form other than ornaments
  • Cinematographic films of 35 mm and above
  • Firearms, ammunition and weapons
  • Restricted item must be included with the household goods shipment.
  • A license must be obtained prior to import.
  • Duplicate items or items in sums of excess of Rs. 150,000 (Rs. 500,000 in Delhi and Mumbai) are duties of approximately 36.01 to 61%.
  • Import of foodstuffs / edibles varies between different cities throughout India.
  • It is advisable to check with the respective destination agent and then include in the shipment.
  • The following items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
  • Alcohol (2 L) – transport is recommended as part of the shipment, not as accompanied baggage
  • Wine (2 L)
  • Perfume (59 ml)
  • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), tobacco (250 g)
Prohibited/Banned Items
Do not move any of these items to India:
  • Beef and beef products
  • Obscene literature, photographs or films
  • Politically subversive literature
  • Narcotics, non-branded drugs and psychotropic substances
  • The following additional items are prohibited in GMS Baggage/Courier Consignments:
    • Aerosols (all kinds, Hairspray, Deodorant etc)
    • Aftershaves / Perfumes / Fragrances
    • Airbags
    • Alcoholic Drinks or Bottles
    • Ammunition of any kind
    • Animals of any kind (Dead or Alive)
    • Any items containing Petrol (Liquid, Gas or Fumes)
    • Biological Samples
    • Car Batteries
    • Cash & Cards (Credit / Debit)
    • Chainsaws
    • Cheques (Bank)
    • Christmas Crackers
    • Counterfeit Currency
    • Dangerous Goods
    • Driving Licence
    • Drugs (Including Prescription)
    • Engines
    • Excrement / Filth
    • Fire Extinguishers
    • Fish (Dead or Live)
    • Foodstuffs (all kinds)
    • Hazardous Goods
    • Human Remains (including ashes)
    • Infectious Substances
    • Knives
    • Laptop Computers, Mobile/Smart Phones or Tablets
    • Lighters
    • Lottery Tickets
    • Nail Varnish / Nail Varnish Remover
    • Oils
    • Paints
    • Passports
    • Perishable Goods (All)
    • Plants / Seeds etc
    • Printer Toner
    • Seatbelt Tensioners and Steering Wheels
    • Stamps
    • Tobacco
    • Water
    • Weapons (all kinds, including replicas)
    • Windscreens

Disclaimer: Customs regulations can change at any time with or without notice. This information is provided as a guide only. While Global Moving Services has exercised reasonable care in publishing this information, Global Moving Services makes no representation, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or applicability.