Moving from India
Moving abroad from India by sea costs roughly ₹1.3–5 lakh for a 2–3 BHK, and takes 7–12 days to the Gulf or 30–45 days to the West (door-to-door). India charges no export duty on your own used household goods — the duty and customs concern is the country you are moving to.
Moving from your city in India
Find your city, then your destination — indicative door-to-door costs and verified movers for each route.
Mumbai
Chennai
Moving abroad from India by sea costs roughly ₹1.3–5 lakh for a 2–3 BHK and takes 7–12 days to the Gulf or 30–45 days to the West, door-to-door. India charges no export duty on your own used household goods — the duty and customs concern is the country you are moving to.
This guide covers real costs to every destination, what you can ship, sell or bin, sea vs air vs shared container, India export and currency rules, how to pick a verified mover and avoid fraud, insurance, a realistic timeline and the documents you need — so you can plan a move from India with confidence.
By sea, a 2–3 BHK move abroad from India is ~₹1.3–5 lakh door-to-door; 7–12 days to the Gulf, 30–45 days to the West. There is no Indian export duty on your own used household goods — the duty concern is the destination country.
How much does it cost to move abroad from India?
~22% below market · indicative, Jun 2026 · 2 BHK door-to-door sea freight
| Move | Our price | Market | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | ₹1,33,000 – ₹2,07,000 | 7–12 days |
Ship it, sell it, or bin it?
Ship it
- High-value electronics & premium appliances
- Hard-to-replace or imported items
- Sentimental & heirloom pieces
- Custom / solid-wood furniture, instruments
- Good-quality clothing & linens
Sell it
- Bulky furniture cheaper to rebuy locally
- Large appliances (fridge, washer, AC)
- Electronics with a voltage / standard mismatch
- Anything you've outgrown or rarely use
Bin / donate
- Worn-out or broken items
- Perishables, opened food, plants
- Hazardous: aerosols, batteries, paint, gas
- Low-value bulky goods not worth the freight
Sea vs air vs shared container
Air freight
- Speed
- 3–7 days
- Cost
- 4–6× sea
- Best for
- Small / urgent essentials
Sea — full container (FCL)
- Speed
- By route
- Cost
- Per container
- Best for
- Whole-home, 2 BHK+
Sea — shared (LCL / groupage)
- Speed
- + consolidation
- Cost
- Per CBM
- Best for
- ≤1 BHK / part-home
The "port-to-port" trap: a port-to-port quote looks cheaper, but leaves you to handle customs clearance, terminal handling charges and final trucking at the other end — surprise costs that often exceed the saving. Door-to-door bundles pickup, freight, both-end customs and delivery into one predictable price. All our quotes are door-to-door.
What you can & can't ship out of India
Ship freely
- Used furniture, clothing, kitchenware, books
- Used electronics & appliances you own
- Personal jewellery (carry it — see tip)
Restricted (need a permit)
- Live plants (phytosanitary cert) & seeds
- Red sandalwood / certain timber
- Hazardous: gas, paint, aerosols, flammables
Prohibited (cannot export)
- Antiquities & art >100 years (need ASI clearance)
- Wildlife products: ivory, skins, shahtoosh
- Narcotics; Indian currency over the limit
TR is an import rule for moving back into India (duty relief on used goods after 2 years abroad). When you leave India there is no export duty on your own used effects — the duty / TR concern is the country you are moving to.
Carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian notes; foreign cash up to ~US$3,000 per trip; total forex (cash + cards + travellers cheques) up to US$10,000. Declare per your destination’s rules on arrival, and confirm current RBI / FEMA figures before you travel.
There is no India limit on taking your own gold out — but get a free Export Certificate from airport customs so you can re-import it duty-free later. Carry jewellery on your person, never in the shipping container. Note: emigrating changes your status to NRI under FEMA — re-designate your bank accounts (resident → NRO/NRE) before you move.
How to choose a verified mover (and avoid fraud)
- Quote far below all others
- No in-home / video survey
- No written, itemised estimate
- Demands large / 100% cash advance
- No verifiable physical office
- Can't show a real insurance policy
- Pressure to decide now
- New domain, stock photos only
Get 3 quotes and insist on an in-home or video survey.
Verify GST, IBA & FIDI in the official directories — not on the mover's own site.
Demand a written, itemised, door-to-door contract and the actual insurance policy (number + insurer).
Pay digitally — a small advance (~10–25%), balance on delivery. Never 100% cash upfront.
If you are cheated: document everything with photos & screenshots. Report to the National Consumer Helpline (consumerhelpline.gov.in · 1800-11-4000), payment fraud at cybercrime.gov.in, file an FIR, and approach the District Consumer Commission (no lawyer needed under ₹50 lakh).
The shipping line does not reimburse full value — its liability is capped and excludes "acts of God". Without your own cover, a lost or damaged shipment is largely on you. Budget ~1.5–3% of declared value (commonly 3%) for an all-risk policy on a valued inventory, and keep the actual policy document — understand the deductible and exclusions before signing.
When to book
Plan & get quotes
International moves need 8–16 weeks of lead time. Start early for choice and the best rates.
Book & declutter
Confirm mover and sailing once dates are firm; decide ship / sell / bin.
Time it right
April–June and month-end cost 20–30% more. Aim for mid-month.
Documents you'll need
- Passport + destination visa / work permit
- PAN card
- Valued inventory + detailed packing list
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- Customs declaration (mover prepares)
Moving abroad from India — FAQ
Is it worth shipping my household goods abroad, or should I sell and rebuy?
How much does it cost to move abroad from India?
How long does international shipping from India take?
How do I know a mover is genuine and not a scam?
What can't I ship out of India?
How much cash and gold can I take out of India?
Do I need transit insurance?
When should I book my international move?
Services & guides
Get matched with verified movers
Free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers from India.