Freight Forwarding from Iran to India
Bandar Abbas sailings to Kandla and Nhava Sheva on one of the shortest sea lanes India trades on, with documentation and Indian customs clearance handled by Apextar.
Selling into Iran instead? See our India to Iran export guide →
Trade Lane Overview
Iran → India at a Glance
Bandar Abbas, on the Strait of Hormuz, is Iran's principal container port and one of the closest major gateways to India's west coast — the short Arabian Sea crossing keeps transit times on this lane well below most other international routes.
Trade between Iran and India historically covers dried fruits and agricultural produce, minerals and mineral products, and select industrial goods, with all shipments handled in accordance with the compliance requirements and permitted-goods lists applicable at the time of booking.
Because international sanctions frameworks affect banking, insurance and permitted commodity categories on this lane, Apextar's documentation team confirms compliance status and payment routing for each shipment before booking rather than after — this is the step that most often determines whether a shipment can move at all.
Region
Middle East
Transit
6–9 days
Distance
1,478 km
Primary Gateway
Kandla (Deendayal Port)
Typical Cargo
Dried fruits and agricultural produce, minerals and permitted industrial goods
Why This Lane
Why Ship Iran → India With Apextar
Bandar Abbas to Kandla is one of the shortest sea crossings India trades on.
Compliance and permitted-goods status checked before booking, not after.
Documentation and payment-routing guidance provided alongside the freight quote.
One Apextar team manages booking, ocean freight and Indian customs clearance.
Paperwork
Documents You'll Need
What we collect and file for a Iran → India shipment.
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
Itemised value, HS codes and package weights/measures for export declaration and Indian customs assessment.
Bill of Lading
Issued on loading at Bandar Abbas — original or telex release.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Iranian origin for Indian duty calculation.
Compliance & Permitted-Goods Declaration
Confirms the commodity falls within the currently permitted trade categories before we commit space on a sailing.
Bill of Entry
Filed by Apextar's customs house agents to assess duty and secure release at Kandla or Nhava Sheva.
Customs & Compliance
Clearing Cargo in India
Given the sanctions-sensitive nature of Iran trade, our documentation team verifies commodity eligibility and banking/payment routing before confirming a booking, then handles the Bill of Entry and duty assessment on arrival through our in-house customs brokerage.
Timing It Right
Seasonal Considerations
Summer months (June to August) bring extreme heat at Bandar Abbas that can slow port operations and trucking; plan a short buffer during that window. On the Indian side, the June–September monsoon can affect Kandla and other Gujarat-coast operations, and both factors together make Q2/Q3 the period most worth planning ahead for.
Good to Know
Iran to India — FAQs
How long does shipping from Iran to India take?
Around 6–9 days from Bandar Abbas to Kandla — one of the shortest international sea lanes India trades on.
Can you ship any commodity from Iran?
No — trade is subject to prevailing compliance requirements and permitted-goods lists. We verify eligibility for your specific commodity before booking.
How does payment work on sanctions-affected trade?
We guide you through compliant payment and banking routing as part of the booking process — this is confirmed before, not after, we commit space.
Which Indian port do you use for Iran cargo?
Kandla is the primary gateway given its proximity to Bandar Abbas; Nhava Sheva is available as an alternative.
Who clears customs on the Indian side?
Apextar's in-house brokerage team files the Bill of Entry and manages duty assessment and release.
How do I check if my shipment is eligible?
Contact us with the commodity and HS code before finalising your order — we'll confirm compliance status and provide a rate together.
Keep Exploring
Other Trade Lanes We Run
Ready to Ship Iran → India?
Share your cargo details and our team will come back with current rates and routing options.