Packers & Movers from Delhi to San Francisco

By sea, about 35–50 days door-to-door (indicative, Jul 2026): roughly 25–35 days port-to-port from Nhava Sheva (JNPT) / Mundra (via ICD Tughlakabad) to the Port of Oakland via a transpacific transhipment hub (Singapore, Busan or Port Klang), plus packing time and US/California customs clearance. Sea transit to Oakland is comparable to the US East-Coast route. By air, roughly 7–14 days door-to-door via Indira Gandhi International (DEL) — India’s largest cargo airport to San Francisco International (SFO). Transit times vary by carrier, routing and port congestion — ask your mover for a current sailing schedule.

Yes, if they qualify under CBP Form 3299 ("“Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles"”): the items must have been used abroad for at least one year, must be imported for your personal use, and must not be intended for sale. This generally extends to both returning US residents and non-immigrant visa holders (H-1B, L-1, etc.) who meet the one-year use threshold — verify your specific situation with CBP and your licensed customs broker. Your customs broker files the form on your behalf at the US port of entry.

Delhi is landlocked, so household goods are stuffed and customs-cleared inland at ICD Tughlakabad — India’s largest inland container depot — then railed to Nhava Sheva (JNPT) or Mundra on the west coast for shipping. The transpacific route crosses the Pacific Ocean, typically via a transhipment hub (Singapore, Busan or Port Klang), arriving at the Port of Oakland, CA — the Bay Area’s container gateway. Total sea transit is comparable to the US East-Coast route.

Yes. In addition to federal CBP inspection, California’s CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture) operates its own agricultural inspection layer, which is stricter than the US national baseline. Key concerns for India-origin household shipments: soil (including backyard or garden soil on potted plants or garden tools) is a key risk — remove all soil before packing; wood furniture and packaging must meet ISPM-15 heat-treatment standards; and a fumigation certificate is standard practice for containers from India. Your mover arranges the fumigation certificate at origin — confirm it is included in your moving contract. Regulations can change; verify current CDFA requirements with your mover and licensed customs broker before packing.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seeds, plants and soil are generally prohibited or restricted — declare all food items and have them inspected by CBP agriculture specialists. Ivory (including carvings and antique furniture inlays common in Indian households) is severely restricted: a narrow antique exception exists but in practice requires entry via a designated antique port, proof the item is pre-1973 and unmodified, AND a valid CITES export permit from India — rarely obtainable for existing household items. Assume ivory cannot be shipped and identify every ivory item to your broker before packing, or it may be seized. Certain CITES-listed timber species are also restricted. Alcohol in mover-shipped (unaccompanied) containers is generally NOT covered by the duty-free household-goods exemption (19 CFR §148.52) and may be subject to federal duty + excise tax; California State import rules apply independently — verify with your customs broker before packing any alcohol, as many movers advise excluding it entirely. See the full guide at /guides/us-customs-cbp-3299-household-goods/

Air freight from Delhi to the San Francisco Bay Area routes via Indira Gandhi International (DEL) — India’s largest cargo airport and arrives at San Francisco International (SFO). Your mover’s freight forwarder will advise the exact routing based on airline and schedule. Door-to-door transit is roughly 7–14 days (indicative).