FREIGHT FORWARDING · SEA FREIGHT
Sea Freight Services in India
Cost-efficient ocean freight — full-container (FCL) and shared (LCL) — with the customs clearance and trade registrations handled by the same team.
FMC · FIATA · AEO · MTO ACCREDITED · FCL & LCL · DOOR-TO-DOOR
- TYPICAL TRANSIT
- 20–40 days · FCL & LCL
Quick facts
OCEAN FREIGHT ACCREDITATIONS
- FMC
- FIATA
- AEO
- MTO
- WCA
- DGFT
03 · THE BASICS
What is sea freight — and should you ship FCL or LCL?
Sea freight moves your cargo by ocean vessel — the most cost-efficient way to ship volume internationally. The first decision every shipper faces: a full container, or shared space?
FCL vs LCL
- FCL (Full Container Load) — a whole container booked for your cargo alone; best for volume. LCL (Less than Container Load) — you share a container and pay only for the space you use; best for smaller loads.
- RULE OF THUMB: ≳ 15 CBM → FCL · ≲ 15 CBM → LCL
When sea freight makes sense
Large or heavy volume
The cheapest way to move a lot at once.
Cost over speed
When your lead time comfortably allows weeks.
Bulky, low-value goods
Where air freight would be uneconomic.
Planned, regular shipments
Steady replenishment on ocean schedules.
04 · THE DECISION
Sea freight vs air freight — which should you use?
The honest comparison. For most volume shipments, sea wins on cost; air wins when time matters.
| Text | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | 20–40 days | 3–8 days |
| Cost | Lower — per container / CBM | Higher — per kg |
| Best for | Bulk, heavy, non-urgent | Urgent, high-value, perishable |
| Cargo size | Large volume / FCL | Small to medium |
| Charged on | Container or CBM | Chargeable (volumetric) weight |
Rule of thumb: sea for volume & cost, air for speed.Compare air freight
05 · STRAIGHT TALK
How much does sea freight cost from India?
Sea freight is priced per container (FCL) or per cubic metre (LCL), plus surcharges and destination charges. Here’s what moves the number.
FCL or LCL
A full container vs shared space — the biggest cost lever.
Container size
20ft, 40ft or high-cube — you pay per container on FCL.
Lane & port pair
Your origin and destination ports set the base ocean rate.
Surcharges
BAF, CAF and terminal handling (THC) — flagged upfront.
Customs duty & taxes
Based on your product’s HS code and destination.
Demurrage & detention
Free days at port, then daily charges — we plan to avoid them.
We quote all-in — ocean freight, surcharges, customs and estimated duties in one number — and we plan your free days to dodge demurrage. Get a sea rate
06 · TRANSIT TIMES
Sea freight transit times from India
Realistic port-to-port ranges from Nhava Sheva / Mumbai. LCL adds a few days for consolidation and de-consolidation.
| Destination | FCL | LCL |
|---|---|---|
| United States (E. Coast) | 28–35 days | 32–40 days |
| Europe (North) | 22–28 days | 26–32 days |
| United Kingdom | 24–30 days | 28–34 days |
| Middle East (GCC) | 7–12 days | 10–16 days |
| South-East Asia | 10–15 days | 13–19 days |
| Africa (East) | 18–24 days | 22–28 days |
Want your exact sailing and port-to-port time?We’ll confirm the next available FCL or LCL sailing and an all-in rate for your lane.
07 · THE PROCESS
How your sea shipment moves
No black box. Here’s every step from booking to your buyer’s door.
Quote & booking
All-in FCL/LCL rate, and space booked on the sailing.
Stuffing & documents
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Customs & port
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Sail & transit
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Destination & delivery
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
08 · WHAT SHIPS
Container types & what you can ship by sea
From a shared pallet to a full vessel charter — every load type, handled and cross-linked to the right specialist.
WE SHIP BY SEA
- Standard dry cargoBoxed, palletised, general commercial goods.
- Reefer (temperature-controlled)Refrigerated containers for perishables & pharma.
- Dangerous goods (IMDG)Certified hazardous-cargo handling and docs.
- Out-of-gauge & heavy-liftOpen-top and flat-rack for oversized loads.
- LCL consolidationShare a container and pay only for your space.
CONTAINER OPTIONS
- 20ft standard~28 CBM — smaller full loads.
- 40ft standard~58 CBM — the workhorse box.
- 40ft high-cubeExtra height for light, bulky cargo.
- ReeferTemperature-controlled 20ft & 40ft.
- Open-top / flat-rackFor over-height and out-of-gauge cargo.
09 · THE DIFFERENCE
One partner — and every document a container needs
Ocean freight is only half the job. Miss a document and your container racks up demurrage at the port. We set up your registrations and file every doc.
Import Export Code (IEC)
Mandatory to export from India — set up in onboarding.
AD Code
Registered at your port of export. No clearance without it.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The carrier’s title document for your ocean cargo.
Shipping Bill
The export declaration we file with customs.
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
What’s in the container, and its declared value.
Certificate of Origin / LC docs
Where your buyer or their bank requires them.
We register what’s missing and file every document — so your container clears fast and never bleeds demurrage. Explore trade registrations
10 · WHY US
Why exporters choose Masa Gaia for sea freight
The reasons first-time and growing exporters trust their containers — and their paperwork — to us:
Direct carrier contracts
Space and rates with the major shipping lines.
Transparent FCL/LCL pricing
All-in rates, surcharges explained, no surprises.
One partner, end to end
Sea freight, customs and registrations — one team.
Demurrage-smart planning
We plan free days so you don’t bleed detention charges.
“They booked our first FCL, cleared it, and warned us about the free-day limit before we ever hit a demurrage charge.”
11 · FREE TOOL
Not sure what your ocean shipment needs? Check your readiness.
Answer four quick questions and get a personalised checklist of the registrations and documents your container needs — free, in two minutes.
Check your readinessThis is an example report shown for illustration. Your own result is produced by the tool.
60% readyfor your first FCL
- Import Export Code (IEC)— already held
- AD Code (port)— still neededneeded
- Bill of Lading / LC docs— still neededneeded
12 · FREIGHT FORWARDING
Not shipping by sea? Explore the other modes
Sea freight is one of several modes we run. Mix and match — or let us recommend the right one for your cargo, budget and deadline.
Road Freight
Cross-border trucking and domestic first/last-mile across the region.
Explore road freight
13 · FAQ
Sea freight FAQs
What’s the difference between FCL and LCL — and which is cheaper?
FCL is a full container that’s yours alone; LCL means you share a container and pay only for the space you use. Under ~15 CBM, LCL is usually cheaper; above it, FCL wins on cost per unit and handling.
How long does sea freight from India take?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
What are demurrage and detention — and how do I avoid them?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Do you handle customs clearance and the Bill of Lading too?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Can you ship reefer or dangerous goods by sea?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
Do I need an IEC and AD Code to ship by sea?
TODO — collapsed in the Figma design; needs real copy.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Get an all-in sea freight rate from India