If you need to move household goods from India to USA, UK, Australia or the Middle East, you need to hire a FIDI-approved international mover, fill out customs paperwork, plan for 4–8 weeks, and more. Here's the complete guide. This guide is designed for the Indian customer who is moving from one place to another like a house, office or a car for a household move in 2026. We've maintained the language to be simple and the advice to be practical, and is modeled on actual moves coordinated by PackersBazaar.in in 800+ cities.
Select your transportation method — Sea Shipping vs Air Shipping Sea freight (FCL/LCL): 25–45 days transit, costs ₹1.5–₹5 lakh for a 2 BHK. Air freight: 3–7 days, costs ₹3–₹10 lakh. Sea = standard. Air = Urgent or small/high value only. Container choices 20ft container (FCL): fits up to 1 BHK, small 2 BHK. 40 ft container: 3 BHK+. LCL (shared container): pay only for actual cubic feet used, ideal for studio / 1BHK. Document checklist Packing list, bill of lading, insurance certificate, commercial invoice, passport, work visa/permit, Transfer of Residence (ToR) certificate. Government issued: I-94 (USA), proof of UK residence, etc. Customs and duty Most countries consider used household effects exported under "Transfer of Residence" policies as duty-free imports (after 1+ year stay abroad). Duty may be due on new items, alcohol, electronics exceeding limits. Travel duration along routes by destination. India to USA East Coast: 32–40 days · USA West Coast: 28–35 days · UK: 25–32 days · Australia: 22–28 days · UAE/Saudi: 7–12 days · Singapore: 8–14 days. Insurance — non-negotiable Marine all risk insurance is a must. Expenses 1-2% of the value of the goods declared. Avoid cheaper “named perils” policies — don't cover the partial loss. FIDI / IAM accreditation Only hire international movers that are certified by FIDI-FAIM. They do door to door including overseas agent. Stay away from the unaccredited movers—International claims become nightmare situation. The removal of pets and vehicles.Pet and vehicle removal. Except for the few exclusive companies that do, most international movers arrange (do not perform) pet and car moving. Budget ₹50,000–₹2 lakh for pet, ₹2–₹6 lakh for car. Conclusion The key to having a successful move is to plan beforehand, ensure that you hire movers which are verified, and ask questions before you sign all the paperwork. This is a starting point and you can get free, personalised quotes from our team.
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