UK → India · Prices
Cost to send a parcel to India from the UK
Clear per-kg prices for sea and air cargo to India, worked examples by weight and simple ways to pay less.
The cost to send a parcel to India from the UK depends on three things: how much it weighs, how fast you need it and what’s inside. Cargo to India is priced per kilogram, so once you know the weight you can work out your price in seconds.
This guide sets out our current rates, shows real examples by weight and explains how to keep your bill down. For the full service, see our UK to India cargo page.
Key takeaways
- ✔ Sea cargo to India: from £2.50/kg, 20kg minimum, around 12–16 weeks.
- ✔ Air cargo to India: from £5.50/kg + £20 handling, 10kg minimum, around 10–14 working days.
- ✔ Boxed / fragile items are £3.50/kg; electric items are £4.50/kg.
- ✔ Customs clearance is handled for you as part of the service.
- ✔ Collection from anywhere in the UK.
Cost to send a parcel to India: sea vs air
| Sea cargo | Air cargo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2.50/kg | £5.50/kg + £20 handling |
| Minimum weight | 20kg | 10kg |
| Door-to-door time | 12–16 weeks | 10–14 working days |
| Best for | Household goods, barrels, bulk boxes | Gifts, documents, urgent items |
Boxed or fragile items are charged at £3.50/kg and electric items at £4.50/kg. Rates updated October 2026.
Example prices by weight
| Parcel weight | Sea cargo | Air cargo |
|---|---|---|
| 10kg | £50 (20kg minimum applies) | £75 (10kg × £5.50 + £20) |
| 20kg | £50 | £130 |
| 30kg | £75 | £185 |
| 50kg | £125 | £295 |
| 100kg | £250 | £570 |
These examples use our standard per-kg rates for general goods. Fragile items and electricals are charged at their own rates, so we’ll confirm an exact price once we know what you’re sending.
💡 Tip: a 10kg parcel costs the same by sea as a 20kg one, because of the 20kg minimum. If you’re sending by sea, fill the box to 20kg and get double the goods for the same price.
What pushes the price up
- Speed: air cargo costs more than twice as much per kg as sea.
- Fragile items: crockery, glassware and delicate items are £3.50/kg.
- Electricals: appliances, TVs and electronics are £4.50/kg.
- Very small air parcels: the £20 handling charge makes up a bigger share of the cost on small shipments.
Is customs clearance included in the cost?
Yes. Customs clearance is handled for you as part of our service, so there’s no separate paperwork for you to arrange. All shipments remain subject to Indian customs regulations, and some items are restricted, so check with us if you’re unsure about anything.
7 ways to lower the cost to send a parcel to India
- Choose sea over air for anything that can wait 12–16 weeks.
- Fill to the 20kg sea minimum so you don’t pay for weight you aren’t using.
- Combine shipments with family into one larger consignment.
- Pack tightly so nothing moves and no space is wasted.
- Keep electricals separate from general goods, as they’re charged at a different rate.
- Skip items that are cheap in India and send what’s hard to get there instead.
- Get a quote before you pack so there are no surprises.
How long will it take?
Sea cargo takes around 12–16 weeks door to door and air cargo around 10–14 working days. For the full breakdown, read how long sea cargo takes from the UK to India and our guide to air freight to India.
Get an exact price
Tell us the weight, what’s inside and the delivery city in India, and we’ll give you an exact price with collection, customs clearance and delivery included. Sending to Punjab or Gujarat? See our guides to cargo to Punjab and cargo to Gujarat.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to send a parcel to India from the UK?
Sea cargo starts from £2.50/kg with a 20kg minimum, and air cargo from £5.50/kg plus a £20 handling charge with a 10kg minimum. Boxed or fragile items are £3.50/kg and electric items £4.50/kg.
How much does it cost to send 20kg to India?
A 20kg parcel costs about £50 by sea or £130 by air, using our standard rates for general goods.
What is the cheapest way to send a parcel to India?
Sea cargo is the cheapest option, from £2.50/kg. It takes around 12–16 weeks, so it suits anything that isn’t urgent.
Is there a minimum weight?
Yes. The minimum is 20kg for sea cargo and 10kg for air cargo.
Is customs clearance included in the price?
Yes. Customs clearance is handled for you as part of our service.
Do you collect from my home?
Yes. We collect from anywhere in the UK, or you can drop off at our branches in Derby, Manchester, London or Birmingham.
Get your India cargo quote
Tell us the weight and delivery city in India, and we’ll give you an exact price with customs clearance included.
[…] Boxed or fragile items are £3.50/kg and electric items £4.50/kg. For more examples by weight, see our guide to the cost to send a parcel to India. […]