Commercial Cargo Shipping to India from Canada

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Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to India

Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/bangalore-india/">Bangalore</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/chennai-india/">Chennai</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/cochin-india/">Cochin</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/hyderabad-india/">Hyderabad</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/kolkata-india/">Kolkata</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/new-delhi-india/">New Delhi</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/nhava-sheva-india/">Nhava Sheva</a>, and <a href="/shipping-to/tuticorin-india/">Tuticorin</a>. The rate starts at USD 5 per cubic foot to Chennai, and the carrier estimates 39–73 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.

Transfer of residence. Indian passport holders returning after living abroad for at least two years may import used household goods with duty concessions under the baggage rules. Unaccompanied baggage should arrive within one month before or one year after the passenger, and the owner normally needs passport pages showing the stay abroad. New appliances and televisions are dutiable.

Commercial imports require the consignee's Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and GST registration.

Commercial cargo rates to India

Example: a small commercial shipment from Vancouver to Chennai

• A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 441.60
• One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 582.88
• Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 900.76

The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in India.

Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Chennai

• From Toronto: USD 646.46, about 58 days
• From Montreal: USD 646.46, about 58 days
• From Vancouver: USD 582.88, about 48 days

Vancouver is both the least expensive and the fastest gateway to Chennai. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.

One pallet to different cities in India

• Chennai: USD 582.88 from Vancouver, about 48 days
• Nhava Sheva: USD 582.88 from Vancouver, about 53 days
• Cochin: USD 646.46 from Toronto, about 49 days
• Kolkata: USD 646.46 from Vancouver, about 48 days
• Bangalore: USD 710.03 from Montreal, about 47 days
• Hyderabad: USD 710.03 from Vancouver, about 55 days

The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 127.15. The other 2 destinations are in the calculator.

Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 441.60 to Chennai, against USD 441.60 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.

Documents for commercial cargo

• Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in India classify the goods.
• Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
• Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.

The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.

Pallets and crates

Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in India. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.

Carrier conditions for India

• Freight Prepaid Only
• Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
• GSTIN / IEC / E-Mail ID Of Importer Required
• Importer Exporter Code no. of the Importer to be indicated on HBL (IEC no. is a registration number allotted to all Indian traders / manufacturers who are in the IMP/EXP business)
• Personal Effects On Approval Only, Except Prohibited to Chennai
• Hyderabad Cargo Customs Clearance in Chennai
• Liquid items, food stuff, medicines, alcohol, electronic items and batteries are subject to commodity restrictions.
• Final confirmation of acceptance can only be advised by consignee custom broker at destination.

How to book

Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to India.

Shipping to India by service

• All shipping to India: rates and destinations
• Personal effects shipping to India from Canada

By city: Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi, Nhava Sheva, Tuticorin.

Questions and answers

Rates valid October 1–31, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.