Shipping from Europe to Kandla
Import lane · about 42 days
How long does shipping from Europe to Kandla take?
Shipping from Europe to Kandla typically takes about 42 days from gateways such as Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp, often with transhipment. The lane carries machinery, chemicals, metal scrap and project equipment. Scrap needs a pre-shipment inspection certificate, so compliance is checked before loading, not after arrival.
Kandla is 15 km from our Gandhidham office, so European imports are cleared by the team that is already at the port. Our European partner handles pickup and documents at origin; we file the Bill of Entry before the vessel berths.
- Direction
- Import into India
- Transit
- About 42 days, typical
- Origin gateways
- Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp
- Watch
- Scrap inspection, BIS for covered products
Commodities
What moves from Europe to Kandla?
The cargo we handle most on this lane. Each has its own documents and packing.
Machinery and equipment
Plant and spares for Indian industry.
Engineering & Auto guideChemicals
Speciality chemicals, with MSDS and hazard checks.
Chemicals & Petrochemicals guideMetal scrap
Ferrous and non-ferrous scrap for Indian mills.
Metals & Scrap guideProject equipment
Components for energy and industrial projects.
Project & Renewables guidePort pairs
Which ports does the Europe to Kandla lane connect?
The port pairs we book most. Direct and transhipment services vary by line.
| From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam, Netherlands | Kandla (Deendayal) | Major European gateway |
| Hamburg, Germany | Kandla (Deendayal) | Northern Europe gateway |
| Antwerp, Belgium | Kandla (Deendayal) | Also for breakbulk and project cargo |
| European ports | Mundra | Alternative container services |
Documents
What documents does the Europe to Kandla lane need?
Both ends matter: India’s customs and the destination’s. We check the far-end requirements with our partner before loading.
Not sure what you have? Send photos of your documents on WhatsApp for a first check.
Send on WhatsApp| Document | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of lading | Yes | Original, telex release or seaway bill |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Yes | From the European supplier |
| Bill of Entry | Yes | Filed by us on ICEGATE before arrival |
| IEC and GSTIN | Yes | Importer registration |
| Pre-shipment inspection certificate | Metal scrap | Issued before loading by an approved agency |
| BIS certification | Covered products | For products under quality control orders |
| Proof of origin | If claiming a preference | For example under India's trade agreement with the EFTA states |
Destination rules change, so we confirm the requirements for your cargo with every quote.
Seasons
When is the Europe to Kandla lane busiest?
Holidays and peak seasons move rates and space. Booking around them keeps cargo on schedule.
Winter weather
Storms in the North Sea and European ports can delay sailings in winter.
Summer holidays
August holidays slow European suppliers and forwarders.
Christmas and New Year
Year-end closures at origin; plan cargo ready dates around them.
Far-end network
Who handles your cargo in Europe?
Our European partner collects from the supplier, checks the export documents and any inspection certificate, and hands over to us for the Kandla end.
- Supplier pickupCargo collected and delivered to the gateway port.
- Compliance before loadingScrap inspection and origin documents checked before sailing.
- Kandla clearanceBill of Entry filed early and cleared 15 km from our office.
Freight
What goes into a Europe to Kandla freight quote?
Ocean rates move with fuel, season and capacity, often weekly, so we quote the rate for your sailing and show every part separately.
| Charge | Usually paid by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight | As per incoterm | The carrier's base rate for the lane, per container or per CBM |
| Surcharges | As per incoterm | Bunker (fuel), peak season and other carrier surcharges |
| Origin charges | Exporter abroad | Terminal handling and documentation at the loading port |
| Destination charges in India | Importer | Terminal handling, CFS and delivery order charges |
| Import clearance | Importer | Bill of Entry filing, assessment and attendance |
| Customs duty and IGST | Importer | Depends on the HS code, value and origin |
Who pays each part depends on the incoterm agreed between buyer and seller.
Process
How does a shipment move on the Europe to Kandla lane?
From booking to the arrival notice, with our partner taking over at the far end.
- One team from booking to sailing
- Partner agent at the destination
- Clearance desk open 24 hours
-
01
Europe to Kandla
Supplier details and booking
Pickup and sailing booked with our European partner.
-
02
Europe to Kandla
Compliance checked
Inspection certificate, BIS and origin confirmed before loading.
-
03
Europe to Kandla
Pickup and loading
Collected and loaded at Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp.
-
04
Europe to Kandla
Bill of Entry filed
On ICEGATE before the vessel berths.
-
05
Europe to Kandla
Assessment and duty
Assessed; duty and IGST paid online.
-
06
Europe to Kandla
Out-of-charge and delivery
Released at Kandla and delivered to your door.
Quote
Get a lane quote: Europe to Kandla
Rates and the document list for your consignment, back within 24 hours.
- A team at the port, in Gandhidham
- Clearance desk open 24 hours
- Document list with every quote
How long does shipping from Europe to Kandla take?
Typical transit is about 42 days from gateways such as Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp, often with transhipment. It is a typical figure, not a guarantee; we confirm it for each sailing.
Which European ports ship to Kandla?
Mainly Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp, with other ports through transhipment. Some container services go to Mundra instead, which we compare for each order.
Does metal scrap from Europe need an inspection certificate?
Yes. Metal scrap imports into India need a pre-shipment inspection certificate from an approved agency, confirming the cargo is free of explosives and radioactive material. It must be issued before loading.
Do European machinery imports need BIS certification?
Some products fall under quality control orders requiring BIS certification. Most industrial machinery does not, but components and some equipment can. We check before shipment.
Can I get a lower duty on goods from Europe?
India's trade agreement with the EFTA states (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) can lower duty on eligible goods with proof of origin. We check whether your goods qualify.
Why clear European imports at Kandla?
Kandla handles containers, breakbulk and bulk cargo and is 15 km from our office, so the team filing your Bill of Entry can attend any examination the same day.
When should I avoid shipping from Europe?
Around Christmas and New Year and in August, when suppliers and forwarders slow down, and in winter when North Sea storms can delay sailings.
Do you have partners in Europe?
Yes. Our European partner collects from the supplier, checks the documents at origin and hands the shipment over to us for the Kandla end.