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Affordable Shipping From India to USA

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Excellent Customer Service

“Universal emailed us at every stage. We always knew where our boxes were.
They are very careful and thorough. Their customer service is most
polite and precise in answering questions. Thank you SO much!”

Why Choose Universal Relocations

Universal Relocations has shipped household goods, baggage, and full home contents from India to the USA since 1998, moving over 5,000 families every year. As a member of the International Movers Association and operator of an FMC-licensed U.S. office, we handle every step: professional export packing, ocean freight, U.S. customs clearance, and timely door delivery — whether you’re sending a few boxes or an entire household.

Our credentials:

  • Empanelled with the Consulate General of the United States, Chennai
  • Indian Government approved international packers and movers
  • Empanelled with the All India Bank Association
  • Member, International Movers Association
  • FMC-licensed office in the USA

How Shipping From India to USA Works

What’s included at every service tier:

  • Export-grade packing materials and labor, including ISPM-15 compliant wood crating and pallets
  • Ocean freight from major Indian ports Mumbai (Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Vizag, Cochin, Inland Port Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi
  • Customs documentation and clearance on the U.S. side
  • Estimated transit time: 8–12 weeks port to port
  • Online shipment tracking once your container is loaded, through to arrival at the destination port

Shipping from other Indian cities?

We proudly serve and ship from major cities across India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune.

how to send parcel from usa to india

Pricing: Choose the Service That Fits Your Move

Universal Relocations prices shipments differently depending on shipment type — present these as three distinct, clearly labeled pricing paths so customers pick the right one for their move:

A. Per-Box Rates

Small shipments, personal effects — max 25 kg per box
Service Rate
Warehouse to Warehouse $100 per box
Warehouse to Door $125 per box
Door to Door $200 per box

B. Baggage Shipment Rate

The first box is $200. Each additional box is $5 less than the box before it (2nd box $195, 3rd box $190, 4th box $185, and so on), up to a maximum of 10 boxes.

For shipments larger than 10 boxes, our volume (CFT) rate applies instead — see Section C below.

C. Volume (CFT) Rates — for larger household shipments

Rates are based on total shipment volume (CFT — cubic feet), with a minimum shipment size of 70 CFT.

Door-to-Door service starts at $1,200 for the minimum volume; larger shipments are priced per CFT above that.

D. Full Container (FCL) Rate

Door-to-door shipping typically runs:

  • 20ft container: approximately $10,000–$15,000
  • 40ft container: approximately $15,000–$25,000

Exact cost depends on your delivery location in the USA. Contact us for a precise quote based on pickup and delivery addresses.

Additional Charges

Storage: $0.85 per CFT/month, plus a one-time in-and-out handling charge of $0.85 per CFT, if your new home isn’t ready at delivery.

Unpacking on a later date: included free on the day of delivery; scheduling it for a different day incurs an additional city-dependent charge.

Furniture assembly: basic furniture (bed, dining table) is assembled at no extra cost. Flat-pack (e.g. IKEA-style), entertainment centers, wardrobes, pooja mandapams, and wooden swings are not assembled by our crew — a third-party assembly fee applies if requested; let your move consultant know in advance.

Customs exam fees (if selected by CBP): VACIS/X-ray exams typically run $150–$400; intensive exams typically run $1,000–$3,500+. These are not included in our Door-to-Door quote — if CBP selects your shipment for exam, these charges are billed separately to the customer. 

U.S. Customs Guidelines for Used Household Goods & Personal Effects

Transfer of Residence (TR) lets you bring used household and personal effects into the USA duty-free under HTSUS 9804.00.05/9804.00.45, filed via CBP Form 3299.

To qualify: items generally must have been used abroad for at least one year before shipping, must be for your own personal or household use (not for resale), and must be imported within 10 years of your last arrival in the U.S.

Brand-new, unused items typically don’t qualify for the duty exemption.

Eligible movers include returning U.S. residents/permanent residents, immigrants relocating to the U.S., and nonresidents on extended work or study visas.

Prohibited / Restricted Items

  • Tuna
  • Haitian animal hide drums
  • Cuban cigars
  • Blank tapes/CDs from Iran
  • Absinthe
  • Counterfeit/trademark-infringing items
  • Dog/cat fur products
  • Flavored cigarettes (including cloves)

Documents Required for Customs Clearance

To ship your household goods from India, you’ll generally need:

  • A copy of your departure flight ticket
  • A copy of your passport (all pages)
  • Proof of employment abroad (such as an appointment/offer letter)
  • Your U.S. delivery address
  • Your U.S. visa or proof of resident status (e.g., OCI, Green Card, work visa)
  • The original ocean bill of lading
  • A detailed packing/inventory list
  • A completed CBP customs declaration (Form 3299 for unaccompanied personal/household effects)
courier service from india to usa

Customs Exams & Holds: VACIS, Intensive Exams, and Agricultural Holds

VACIS Exam

VACIS Exam: A non-intrusive X-ray/gamma-ray scan CBP uses to screen containers for contraband or security risks without physically unpacking them.

Intensive Exam

Intensive Exam: A more thorough physical inspection CBP conducts when a shipment is flagged for closer review — may involve offloading the container at a Centralized Examination Station and can add several days to clearance.

Agricultural Hold

Agricultural Hold: Placed by CBP/USDA APHIS when a shipment is suspected of carrying a plant pest, disease, or other risk to U.S. agriculture — commonly triggered by wooden furniture, wood packaging, plant-based decor, soil residue, or undeclared food. Declaring all wood and plant items accurately upfront is the best way to avoid one.

Why our wood packaging is heat-treated

Raw wood can carry pests like the Asian longhorned beetle or emerald ash borer, which can devastate U.S. forests and agriculture. International rules (ISPM-15) require wood packaging over 6mm thick to be heat-treated (56°C for 30 minutes) or fumigated and stamped with the IPPC mark. Universal Relocations uses ISPM-15 compliant crating and packing materials for every shipment.

Container fumigation

For shipments from India to the USA, we generally fumigate the full container after loading as a precaution against agricultural holds at U.S. customs. Only a small percentage of shipments are selected for exam or hold, and CBP — not Universal Relocations — makes the selection. If your shipment is selected, it can add anywhere from 1 to 15 days to clearance depending on the type of exam. Exam fees are not included in our Door-to-Door quote and are billed separately if your shipment is selected (see pricing note in Section 7).
  • Helpful answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing & Rates

Our rates are based on shipment volume (CFT — cubic feet). The minimum shipment size is 70 CFT, with Door-to-Door service starting at $1,200. Larger shipments are priced per CFT above the minimum. Contact us for a free quote based on your exact volume.
The first box is $200, and each additional box is $5 less than the one before it (2nd box $195, 3rd box $190, and so on), up to a maximum of 10 boxes. Shipments larger than 10 boxes are priced using our volume (CFT) rate instead.
A 20ft container typically runs approximately $10,000–$15,000, and a 40ft container approximately $15,000–$25,000, depending on your delivery location in the USA. Contact us for an exact quote based on your specific pickup and delivery addresses.
Storage is $0.85 per CFT per month, plus a one-time in-and-out handling charge of $0.85 per CFT. Let your move consultant know as early as possible if you anticipate needing storage.

Documents & Customs Rules

A copy of your departure flight ticket, a copy of your passport (all pages), proof of employment abroad (such as an appointment/offer letter), and your U.S. delivery address. Our team will guide you through any additional paperwork once your shipment is booked.
A valid passport, your U.S. visa or proof of resident status (e.g., OCI, Green Card, work visa), the original ocean bill of lading, a detailed packing/inventory list, proof of your new U.S. address, and a completed CBP customs declaration (Form 3299 for unaccompanied personal/household effects). Our team reviews your documents before shipping to catch any gaps early.
Transfer of Residence lets you bring used household and personal effects into the USA duty-free under HTSUS 9804.00.05/9804.00.45, using CBP Form 3299. Items generally must have been used abroad for at least one year, be for personal/household use (not resale), and be imported within 10 years of your last U.S. arrival. New, unused items typically don’t qualify.
Most sealed, commercially packaged, non-perishable food (dry goods, spices, snacks) is generally allowed, but must be declared. Meat, dairy, fresh fruits, and vegetables are typically restricted or prohibited and can be seized at the port.
Yes. Used furniture generally qualifies as duty-free household goods under TR. Brand-new, unused furniture may not qualify and could be assessed customs duty. Let your coordinator know if any pieces are new.
Yes, personal electronics (laptops, TVs, cameras, kitchen appliances) can generally be shipped under TR. One of each item type for personal use is typically duty-free; multiple identical new units may be treated as commercial goods and assessed duty.

Packing, Delivery & Assembly

Our trained packing team arrives with export-grade boxes, wrapping materials, and padding. Every item is inventoried, wrapped, boxed, and labeled, and fragile or high-value items are photographed for insurance records. You’ll receive an itemized packing list, which you should keep for customs clearance.
Generally, no — the furniture and household items themselves don’t need individual fumigation. What does need treatment is the wood packaging (crates, pallets, dunnage), which must be heat-treated or fumigated per the ISPM-15 standard and stamped with the IPPC mark; Universal Relocations uses ISPM-15 compliant crating for every shipment. Additionally, for shipments from India to the USA, we generally fumigate the full container after it’s loaded, as a precaution to avoid any customs issues related to agricultural holds.
Raw wood can carry pests like the Asian longhorned beetle or emerald ash borer, which can seriously damage U.S. forests and agriculture. ISPM-15 requires wood packaging over 6mm thick to be heat-treated (56°C for 30 minutes) or fumigated and marked with the IPPC stamp. Skipping this risks the packaging being held, fumigated at your cost, or destroyed at the U.S. port.
Our crew will come to your residence, unpack all your items, and place them on a flat surface — we don’t put items inside shelves, cabinets, or decor units. Basic furniture such as beds and dining tables is assembled as part of standard delivery. We do not assemble IKEA-type flat-pack furniture, entertainment centers, or wardrobes; a third-party assembly fee applies if requested — let your move consultant know in advance. Pooja mandapams and wooden swings are also not assembled by our crew.

Yes. Used furniture generally qualifies as duty-free household goods under TR. Brand-new, unused furniture may not qualify and could be assessed customs duty. Let your coordinator know if any pieces are new.

Our standard rate includes unloading and unpacking on the same day as delivery. Unpacking on a later date can be arranged for an additional charge that varies by city.

Timelines & Tracking

Door-to-door shipments typically take 8–12 weeks from pickup in India to delivery in the USA, depending on the origin port, destination city, and customs processing time. We provide tracking updates at each stage so you always know where your shipment is.
We’re unable to confirm an exact delivery date until U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases the shipment. Once cleared and ready for pickup from the port, we can give a maximum of 2 days’ advance notice before delivery.
Once your shipment is loaded into the container, we’ll provide online tracking details so you can follow its progress until it reaches the destination port.

Customs Exams & Inspections

A more thorough physical inspection CBP conducts when a shipment is flagged for closer review after an initial scan or document check — may involve opening and physically inspecting boxes. Only a small percentage of shipments are selected, and it can add anywhere from 1 to 15 days to clearance. Universal Relocations coordinates with CBP on your behalf.
A hold placed by CBP/USDA APHIS on a shipment suspected of carrying a plant pest, disease, or other agricultural risk — commonly triggered by wooden furniture/crates, plant-based decor, soil residue, or undeclared food. The shipment is set aside for inspection before release, treatment, or (rarely) seizure. Declaring all wood and plant items accurately upfront helps avoid one.
VACIS (X-ray) exams typically run $150–$400; intensive exams typically run $1,000–$3,500+, plus possible drayage and storage. These fees are not included in our Door-to-Door quote — if CBP selects your shipment for exam, they’re billed separately to you, as required under U.S. customs law.

Customer Reviews

Universal Relocations India Pvt Ltd
Universal Relocations India Pvt Ltd
4.8
Based on 222 reviews
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SUMANTA PANJASUMANTA PANJA
12:57 04 Mar 24
Very smooth and well communicated delivery by Universal Relocations.Even if there is any delay no matters for whatever reason they always communicate, which is very important.This is the best part I like about Universal Relocations and special thanks to Sini for co ordination and follow up on the whole delivery from India to my home.
Pravin's CuisinePravin's Cuisine
12:03 04 Mar 24
Great service shipping from US to India.
subhamoy deysubhamoy dey
12:53 29 Feb 24
I used universal relocation for some movement of items from NJ, USA to India, their service is very good, and timely updates very helpful. I would recommend them to others
Hemant KanchanHemant Kanchan
10:28 29 Feb 24
On time received, one fire stick went missing, and rest all fine
Najma TajNajma Taj
12:19 28 Feb 24
Good service provided by the universal team especially thanks to Ramya for her coordination, except high custom charges overall interaction is good.
Ravi SinghRavi Singh
04:49 28 Feb 24
Good experience. Smooth pickup and delivery. Got regular weekly movement updates. Package was well handled and company ensured and communicated all information related to delivery. Real time tracker of delivery vehicle was also helpful to know exact time of delivery.
Prasad NadigPrasad Nadig
11:36 19 Feb 24
I used services of Universal Relocations twice as part of shifting my personal stuff from US to India. Both times the shipment arrived as indicated on time with all stuff intact as packed, with boxes surprisingly better than how I expected them after 2+ months of external handling. They were professional in their communications, very timely and responsive in their engagement. I would surely use their services again if needed.
sailaja vellalasailaja vellala
09:57 31 Jan 24
Universal Relocations shipped our goods from FL,USA to Hyderabad,India. It took 4.5 months to deliver. There are some damages reported and yet to claim insurance, but the best part in whole process is the Deliver team, I thank Sharmila for taking very good care of everything related to delivery and redeliver the missed packet in no time. She cleared all my doubts and always kept in touch until I received the goods. Even the delivery team was very knowledgeable about assembly and did it very quick. I dint have good experiences with (Richard & Shyamala) the front office and account team though. Overall I recommend this company for international shipments.
Vidya ChittaranjanVidya Chittaranjan
11:45 20 Jan 24
These are the best in end to end solutions for transportation of luggage from USA to India. They arrange excellent packaging and the safety of items. Even the computer came intact. They did very good unpacking and assembly also. Very reasonably priced and customer friendly. Constant updates on the shipment status. We will definitely use the same service in future
Sheethal Rao KSheethal Rao K
03:31 30 Nov 23
Universal Relocations India Pvt Ltd has done a good job in helping me move my stuff from US to India. My experience was good. I was little worried on the my products durability since I had some items which were delicate But I have received it without any problems to the shipment. I received the shipment in time and the packaging was very good. I was getting regular updates on the shipment and during the time of delivery I got call from Sini before and after delivering the shipment to crosscheck on the address information and shipment. Thanks for the excellent service provided. Really appreciate it!!
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