Removals to India from the UK

Removals to India from the UK are often a homecoming. You might be returning to family in Gujarat or Punjab, taking a job in Bengaluru, or retiring to Kerala after years in Leicester or London. Either way, a whole UK home has to travel thousands of miles by sea and clear Indian customs without a surprise bill.

The difference between a smooth move and an expensive one usually comes down to Transfer of Residence. Get it right and your used household goods can enter India duty-free. Get it wrong and customs can charge 38.5% of their value.

Total Moving Solutions handles UK to India removals door to door, from packing in the UK to delivery at your new address in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or elsewhere in India.

Get a free quote for your India removal

Marine Drive and the Mumbai skyline, a common destination for removals to India from the UK

7–10 weeksDoor to door by sea in a full container

From £1,292Guide price for a 1-bed move to Mumbai

Duty-freeFor eligible returning residents under Transfer of Residence

Door to doorFrom packing in the UK to delivery at your new home

How your removal to India works

Six stages, one team. We sort the customs side before anything is packed, because that is where India moves usually go wrong.

Survey and fixed quote

A video or home survey records everything you want to ship and measures the volume in cubic metres. You get a clear, all-inclusive door-to-door quote, and we flag anything India restricts before it goes in a box.

Customs check

We confirm whether you qualify for Transfer of Residence and which documents you need. This decides whether your goods clear duty-free, so it happens before packing day, not after.

Packing and inventory

Our crew packs to export standard, wraps furniture and crates fragile or valuable pieces. Every box is numbered and valued on the inventory Indian customs will check.

UK export and sailing

We complete the UK export paperwork and load your container at your home or our depot. Most India sailings leave from Felixstowe or Southampton.

Arrival and customs clearance

Your goods land at Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), Mundra, Chennai or Kolkata. Our local partner clears them through customs with your passport and declaration, so you need to be in India by then.

Delivery and unpacking

Once released, your goods travel by road or rail to your new home. We unload and, if you choose, unpack and take the packing materials away.

How much do removals to India cost?

Your price depends on how much you ship, whether you fill a container or share one, and how far your new home is from the port. Pick your property size in the calculator for a guide price to Mumbai, then ask us for a fixed quote.

Mumbai is the cheapest point of arrival because Nhava Sheva is India’s main container port. Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are inland, so the road or rail leg from the port is added to the price.

Check two things on any quote: whether it is door to door or only port to port, and whether Indian customs clearance is included. Every TMS quote is all-inclusive and door to door, with no hidden extras.

Interactive cost explorer: select a property size to see estimated UK to Mumbai removal costs

Cost of removals to India from the UK

Tap your property size for an instant cost estimate for Mumbai

1-bedroom house

£1,292 – £1,992

Shared container (groupage) is usually best value for a smaller move to Mumbai.

Get an accurate quote for your move →

Door-to-door transit time

7–10 weeks

Full container, UK home to Mumbai

Packing, export clearance & sailing

1–2 weeks

Sea crossing to Nhava Sheva (JNPT)

4–6 weeks

Port discharge & Transfer of Residence clearance

1–2 weeks

Road or rail delivery to your city

1–7 days

Total door-to-door7–10 weeks

Shared container? Add 2 to 3 weeks. Your goods can land up to two months before you, but clearance waits until you arrive.

How long does shipping to India from the UK take?

Allow 7 to 10 weeks door to door for a full container to Mumbai, and 9 to 12 weeks for a shared container. Inland cities such as Delhi or Bengaluru add a few days after customs release.

The sea crossing to Nhava Sheva takes around 4 to 6 weeks. Most delays happen on land: before the sailing, or at Indian customs.

What can add time

A shared container waits in the UK until it is full, often 1 to 2 weeks
Customs clearance only starts once you are in India with your documents
A missing value on the inventory can hold goods at the port
Delivery to smaller inland towns can add up to a week

Need a few things straight away? Air freight takes about 1 to 2 weeks door to door, so many families fly out essentials and ship the rest.

Full container, shared container or air freight?

Most UK to India removals use one of three options. Your survey tells us which one costs least for your volume.

Shipping containers stacked at a port, showing how household goods are shipped from the UK to India

Best for 3+ bedrooms

Full container (FCL)

A 20ft or 40ft container for your goods only, sealed at your home. Fewer handling points, faster clearance and the best value from around 15 cubic metres.

Best for 1 to 2 bedrooms

Shared container (groupage)

Your goods share a container with other households and you pay only for the space you use. Cheaper for small moves, but allow 2 to 3 extra weeks.

Best for essentials

Air freight

Clothes, documents and a few boxes in 1 to 2 weeks. Air shipments can also qualify for Transfer of Residence if they arrive within the time limits.

Volume guide by property size

Property	Approximate volume	Usual option
Studio or 1-bedroom flat	5 to 14 CBM	Shared container
2-bedroom home	15 to 22 CBM	Shared or 20ft container
3-bedroom house	23 to 38 CBM	20ft container
4 to 5-bedroom house	38 to 65 CBM	40ft container

Transfer of Residence: bringing your goods into India duty-free

Transfer of Residence (ToR) is the customs concession that lets people moving back to India bring in used household goods without duty, up to a set value. It is the single most important thing to get right on a UK to India removal.

Usually duty-free

Who usually qualifies

Indian passport holders returning to live in India
People of Indian origin, including OCI cardholders, moving to India for good
Anyone who has lived abroad long enough for the allowance they claim
Anyone who has not used Transfer of Residence in the last three years

Check before booking

Who should check first

Foreign nationals with no Indian origin, such as British expats on an employment visa
Anyone who has spent more than six months in India during the last two years
Anyone whose goods would land more than two months before they arrive
Anyone shipping new or unused goods

How much you can bring in duty-free

Time living abroad	Duty-free allowance (Baggage Rules 2016)	Approx. in pounds
3 to 6 months	₹60,000	about £470
6 months to 1 year	₹1,00,000	about £785
1 to 2 years	₹2,00,000	about £1,570
2 years or more	₹5,00,000	about £3,925

Goods above the allowance, and items outside the concession, pay the baggage rate of 38.5%. Pound figures use a rate of about ₹127 to £1 (September 2026). Customs values used goods at their depreciated value, and limits are reviewed from time to time, so we confirm the current figures before you ship.

Worked example

Say your used household goods are valued at ₹8 lakh (about £6,300) and you have lived in the UK for more than two years. The first ₹5 lakh (about £3,925) is duty-free. The remaining ₹3 lakh (about £2,350) pays 38.5%, which is about ₹1.16 lakh (around £910) in duty. Add a flat-screen TV worth ₹50,000 (about £390) and you pay around ₹19,000 (£150) more.

Rules that catch people out

Flat-screen TVs are always dutiable, even under Transfer of Residence
Only one of each large appliance per family, such as a fridge or washing machine
Goods must be used and owned by you, not bought new for the move
Your shipment can land up to two months before you, or be sent within one month of your arrival
Gold and jewellery have separate limits and should travel with you
Everything goes on your baggage declaration, so the inventory must be complete

Customs, visa and tax rules in India are updated from time to time. We check the latest customs position for your move, and for tax, pension or residency decisions it pays to speak to a qualified adviser first.

Documents you need for customs in India

Customs checklist

Clearance in India only starts once your paperwork is complete. Keep these ready before your shipment lands.

Original passport, with the stamps that show your time abroad
OCI card or visa, if you do not hold an Indian passport
PAN card, which customs brokers usually ask for
Baggage and Transfer of Residence declarations, which we help you complete
Itemised, valued inventory from packing day
Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)
Proof of your time in the UK, such as a visa or tenancy agreement
Your ticket or boarding pass showing your arrival date in India
A signed letter authorising our partner at the port to clear your goods for you

Missing documents are the most common reason goods sit at the port, and port storage is charged by the day.

What you cannot send to India

Indian customs is strict, and some items cause more trouble than they are worth.

Prohibited or licensed

Banned or needing a licence

Drones
Satellite phones
E-cigarettes and vapes, banned in India since 2019
Firearms and ammunition without a licence
Meat, seeds, plants and soil
Counterfeit goods

Dutiable

Taxed even under ToR

Flat-screen TVs
A second fridge, washing machine or air conditioner
Alcohol and tobacco above the allowance
Gold and jewellery above the limit
New or boxed goods

Sell or leave

Better sold in the UK

Cars: imports must be under three years old and right-hand drive, and duty runs to well over 100% of the value
Large appliances you can buy locally for less than the cost of shipping
Garden tools and machinery with soil or fuel residue

Carry jewellery, gold, cash and important documents with you rather than in the container, and declare them on arrival. Our checklist for international moves helps you decide what goes, what stays and what travels with you.

Where we deliver in India

Your container lands at one of the main ports, then travels on by road or rail. Knowing your port helps you plan your arrival.

Mumbai and Pune

Goods arrive at Nhava Sheva (JNPT), India’s busiest container port, around an hour from central Mumbai. Pune is 3 to 4 hours by road. Many Mumbai housing societies set strict moving hours, so book the service lift and parking early.

Delhi NCR and Punjab

Containers usually land at Nhava Sheva or Mundra and travel north by rail to inland container depots such as Tughlakabad in Delhi or Ludhiana in Punjab, where they clear customs. Allow an extra week for the rail leg.

Gujarat

Mundra and Pipavav ports sit close to Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat, so deliveries across Gujarat are quick once your goods clear customs.

UB City towers in Bengaluru, a popular city for UK professionals moving to India

Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad

Chennai port serves Chennai directly and is the usual gateway for Bengaluru and Hyderabad, both around a day away by road.

Kerala

Kochi’s Vallarpadam terminal takes containers directly, which suits families moving to Kochi, Thrissur or Kozhikode.

Kolkata and the east

Kolkata and Haldia ports handle shipments for West Bengal and the north-east. This is the longest of the main sea routes, so plan an extra week.

Moving your pets to India

India lets people transferring their residence bring up to two pet dogs or cats, provided they have lived abroad for at least two years.

Microchip and an up-to-date rabies vaccination
An official health certificate from a UK vet
An advance No Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) at your arrival airport
Arrival at an airport with a quarantine station, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Kolkata

Pets fly separately from your household goods. Vets inspect every pet on arrival and a quarantine period can apply. We can put you in touch with specialist pet shippers we trust.

What to sort out in the UK before you go

Tell HMRC you are leaving with form P85 and claim back any overpaid tax
Check your National Insurance record: voluntary Class 2 contributions from abroad ended in April 2026
Your UK state pension is frozen in India, with no yearly increases once you move
Convert any NRE or NRO accounts in India to resident accounts once you return
Travel on the passport linked to your OCI card
Keep one UK bank account and card for UK bills and trips back
Sell or SORN your car
Book your survey at least 8 weeks before your moving date

Our guide to moving overseas from the UK covers the wider checklist.

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   Jonathan Francis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic service, everything went quickly and smoothly. We chose Total Moving Solutions because of the positive reviews and they did not disappoint!
  
 
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   Alan Gavin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TMS were just fantastic. From start to finish. They could not do enough for us especially Mike who went out of his way to help.  Totally professional and responsive company.  I could not recommend TMS enough - they are brilliant.  We moved some stuff from Bristol to Dublin - exceptional service and very nice people.  Thank you guys - we appreciate it. Alan & Tony
  
 
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   Fanahan Barry 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Moved from Ireland to Germany. Was very pleased with the experience. Items were delivered with care.
  
 
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   Tara Ivanovic 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing experience moving countries with TMS. Steve was super accommodating as I did not know the exact move date for a while and kept me updated on the process the whole time. Everything arrived in good condition. Thanks again! :)
  
 
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   Sam Nash 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TMS is just the best out of all of the available options - they simplify the paper work - they are super responsive and will pick up the phone as soon as you call. They respond to emails the in the same hour. Go with TMS - I shipped 2 items to the US - a pallet with TMS and unfortunately I had to go with another company to ship the bed (long story). TMS was smooth and convenient all the way through - it was delivered exactly on the date asked as with the pickup. They know how to deal with customs and it just went through on time and smoothly.

Working with the other company that managed the bed, was not smooth and is still yet to turn up because they got confused on the documentation and were unable to ship it for weeks because they didn’t know how US customs worked nor did they work with a competent customs broker. If you work with someone cheaper, they cut costs at the cost of competence.
  
 
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   Mary Whyte 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We would certainly recommend  Total Moving  Solutions if you're  moving from the UK to Ireland we had a very positive experience with them from the moment we picked up the phone to enquire.
Then from pick up and drop off at both ends the drivers were so courteous  helpfull and treated our belongings with the utmost care
Definitely 5 star 🌟  service
  
 
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   Valerie Kuan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have used Total Moving Solutions 3 times and each time James has ensured that the move was smooth and as stress free as possible.  They are thoroughly professional,  efficient and reliable.  Highly recommend.
  
 
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   Rachel Joy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service ,lovely lads and looked after all my furniture.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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Ready to move? Let TMS manage your India removal

TMS manages UK to India removals for returning families, OCI cardholders and professionals, with delivery to your new home in India. Here is what you get:

A free home or video survey and an all-inclusive quote
Advice on Transfer of Residence before you book
Export packing and a valued inventory for customs
UK export and customs paperwork handled for you
Customs clearance in India through our local partner
Delivery to your new home in India
Optional unpacking and removal of packing materials
Optional MoveProtect enhanced liability cover

Get your free, no-obligation quote for removals to India

Or call our team on 01922 32 40 32 to talk through your move to India with a Move Manager.