Jonathan Francis
Fantastic service, everything went quickly and smoothly. We chose Total Moving Solutions because of the positive reviews and they did not disappoint!
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 removalHow 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.
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.
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.
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.
Documents you need for customs in India
What you cannot send to India
Indian customs is strict, and some items cause more trouble than they are worth.
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.
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.
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
Our guide to moving overseas from the UK covers the wider checklist.
EXCELLENTBased on 480 reviews
- Alan Gavin
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
- Fanahan Barry
Moved from Ireland to Germany. Was very pleased with the experience. Items were delivered with care.
- Tara Ivanovic
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! :)
- Sam Nash
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.
- Mary Whyte
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
- Valerie Kuan
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.
- Rachel Joy
Excellent service ,lovely lads and looked after all my furniture.
Verified by Trustindex · Trustindex verified that these reviews were published on Total Moving Solutions Ltd's Google Business Profile. Learn more
See all reviews on Google ↗Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move to India from the UK?
Guide prices to Mumbai run from about £1,292 for a 1-bed home to £7,192 for a 5-bed home, door to door. Inland cities cost a little more for the road or rail leg. We give you an all-inclusive quote after a free survey.
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 longer for a shared container or an inland city. Air freight takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Do I pay customs duty on household goods in India?
Not if you qualify for Transfer of Residence and stay within your allowance. Goods above the limit, and items such as flat-screen TVs, pay the baggage rate of 38.5%.
Can OCI cardholders use Transfer of Residence?
Yes. People of Indian origin, including OCI cardholders, can usually claim it when they move to India for good, as long as they meet the time-abroad rules. We confirm your eligibility before you book.
Do I need to be in India when my goods arrive?
Yes. Clearance needs your original passport and declaration, so plan for your shipment to land after you arrive, or no more than two months before.
Which port will my shipment arrive at?
Usually Nhava Sheva for Mumbai, Pune and the north, Mundra for Gujarat, Chennai for the south and Kolkata for the east. Inland cities are reached by road or rail.
Can I ship my car to India?
Only if it is under three years old and right-hand drive, and duty runs to well over 100% of its value. Almost everyone sells in the UK and buys in India.
What is the cheapest way to send furniture to India?
A shared container is cheapest for smaller moves of up to around 15 cubic metres. For a whole house, a dedicated container usually works out cheaper per item and is faster.