Shipping a car from the UK to India typically takes 24-36 days by container ship. Costs range from £1,500-£3,000 depending on vehicle size and specific port of arrival in India. Cars must clear Indian customs and pay import duties upon arrival.
Transporting a vehicle from the United Kingdom to India is a complex process that requires careful planning and professional car shipping services to ensure a smooth, stress-free move. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully ship your car from the UK to India.
What are the options for shipping a car to India from the UK?
When it comes to shipping a car from the UK to India, the primary method is container shipping. With container shipping, your vehicle is securely loaded into a private 20ft or shared 40ft shipping container and transported via cargo ship.
Typical transit time: 24-36 days
Estimated cost: £1,500-£3,000
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping, where vehicles are driven directly onto and off a ferry, is generally not available for UK to India car shipping due to the route and distance.
What is the process for shipping a car from the UK to India?
- Get a quote from a reputable international car transport company like ShipCars. Provide your vehicle details, desired shipping timeframe, and specific port of arrival in India.
- Prepare your vehicle for shipping. This includes cleaning, documenting any existing damage, servicing, and removing personal belongings.
- Arrange transport of your vehicle to the port of departure (usually Southampton or Felixstowe in the UK).
- Your shipping provider will handle customs clearance and loading of your vehicle into the shipping container.
- Upon arrival in India, your vehicle will need to clear customs and pay import duties (see below). Your car shipping company will guide you through this process.
- Once customs clearance is complete, you can collect your vehicle or arrange onward transport to your final destination in India.
What documents do I need to ship a car from the UK to India?
To ship a car from the UK to India, you will need:
- Passport
- Original vehicle title (V5C logbook)
- Bill of lading
- Insurance certificate
- Permanent Account Number (PAN) card
- Aadhar card (for Indian citizens) or passport (for NRIs)
- Import Export Code (IEC)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian embassy
- Form 29 from the RTO (Regional Transport Office)
Gathering the necessary paperwork is a crucial step in the car shipping process. Work closely with your vehicle transport provider to ensure you have all the required documents to avoid delays or issues with Indian customs.
What are the customs duties and taxes for importing a car to India?
When importing a vehicle into India, you will need to pay:
- Customs duty: 100% of the CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) value
- IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax): 28% on the total of CIF value and customs duty
For vehicles with a CIF value over Rs. 30 lakhs (approximately £30,000), an additional customs duty of 2.5% is applicable.
Import duties and taxes are calculated based on the vehicle’s CIF value, engine size, and fuel type. Consult Indian Customs for the most current rates prior to shipping your car.
Are there any restrictions on importing vehicles into India?
India has specific regulations for importing vehicles:
- Vehicles must be right-hand drive
- Vehicles must meet Bharat Stage emission standards
- Vehicles older than 3 years are not allowed for import
- Vehicles imported by NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) must have been owned for at least 1 year prior to shipping
Check with your vehicle shipping provider and Indian Customs for any additional restrictions or requirements before transporting your car.
How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to India?
Transit times for shipping a vehicle from the UK to India by container are typically 24-36 days. However, this can vary based on the specific port of arrival in India and any potential delays at customs.
Please note that these are port-to-port transit times. Allow additional time for UK transport, customs clearance, and onward transport to your final destination in India.
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to India?
Costs for shipping a car from the UK to India range from £1,500-£3,000 depending on factors such as:
- Vehicle size and weight
- Specific port of arrival in India
- Time of year
- Insurance
For the most accurate pricing, request a custom quote from ShipCars based on your specific vehicle and requirements.
Why choose ShipCars for UK to India car shipping?
Ship Cars Ltd are the UK’s leading vehicle shipping experts. We provide reliable, door-to-door car transport services from the UK to India. With over [XX] years’ experience and [XX]+ vehicles moved, we deliver a hassle-free shipping experience:
- Competitive rates
- Marine insurance included
- Expert customs support
- Door-to-door service
- UK collection from any address
- Dedicated account manager
Get a free online quote for shipping your car to India in seconds. Or call [ 07513 898320 ] to speak to an Indian vehicle shipping specialist.
