Moving to India

Planning on moving to India from Canada? Whether you’re relocating to India for family, retirement, work, or simply starting a new chapter, Orbit International Moving Logistics is here to make the journey smooth and stress-free. We understand that moving to India — especially when you’re shipping your household goods across continents — can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer personalized support, expert coordination, and decades of experience in overseas moving.

Whether you’re moving back to India after years abroad or moving to India permanently, our team provides valuable insights, clear planning, and reliable door-to-door shipping options. From choosing the right container size to navigating customs, we’ve helped hundreds of families and individuals take this important step with confidence.

Orbit International Moving is one of Canada’s top-rated international moving companies. If you’re thinking about moving to India, skip the guesswork and let us help you get started today.

Whether you’re moving to India from Canada, relocating to India for work, or moving back to India permanently, it’s important to understand the customs regulations. India enforces strict laws regarding what can and cannot be brought into the country during your overseas relocation.

Prohibited items include firearms, ammunition, and weapons (unless pre-approved by the appropriate authorities), narcotics of any kind, and any form of obscene or politically sensitive literature, films, or photographs. These items are not allowed under Indian law and may result in severe penalties if included in your shipment.

If you’re planning on moving to India permanently or returning with household goods, we recommend contacting Orbit International Moving to ensure that all your items comply with Indian customs requirements. Our experienced team can guide you through the process and help avoid delays or complications at the border.

Have questions about what you can or cannot ship? Speak with one of our international relocation experts today. Call (416) 661-4228 or send an email to info@orbitmoving.com

Foreign nationals planning on moving to India must carefully follow customs and visa regulations to avoid delays or complications. Individuals entering India on a business visa, supported by a sponsoring corporation, are initially granted a stay of four months. This can be extended up to six months. For longer stays beyond this period, a minimum one-year work permit is required, again sponsored by an employer within India. Applicants should allow at least three months for the work permit approval process.

A valid work permit is essential prior to the arrival of household goods into India. Whether you are relocating to India for business, moving to India permanently, or moving to India from Canada for a long-term assignment, it is critical to ensure that all immigration and customs requirements are completed in advance.

In order to benefit from duty concessions under the transfer of residence rule, foreign nationals must possess a visa that is valid for at least one year from the date of their last entry into India.

For Indian nationals moving back to India, it is important to meet specific customs conditions. The owner must have resided outside of India for a minimum of two consecutive years prior to their transfer and must intend to reside in India for at least one year following their return. Short visits to India during the two-year period are permitted, provided the total stay does not exceed six months.

The owner must be physically present in India before customs clearance can begin. For air shipments, goods must arrive within 15 days of the owner’s arrival. For surface or sea shipments, goods must arrive within one month. All shipments are subject to full customs examination, and duties will be assessed based on the customs evaluation.

Under the Transfer of Residence rule, Indian nationals relocating to India or moving to India permanently can import the following household goods at a concessional duty rate of 35% of the assessed value: one television, one VCR, one washing machine, one cooking range, one dishwasher, one music system, one personal computer, one air conditioner, one refrigerator, one deep freezer, one microwave oven, one video camera, one word processing machine, and one telefax machine.

The conditions for concessional duty are:

1. The combined value of these specified items must not exceed ₹150,000 (approximately C$2,500 at 2025 exchange rates)
2. Only one unit of each item is permitted in the shipment

If the total value exceeds ₹150,000 or if duplicate items are included, customs will apply a higher duty rate of 61% on the excess amount.

All other household goods, provided they have been in the owner’s possession and use for at least one year, are allowed free entry without duty.

If you are moving to India from Canada, moving back to India, or relocating to India for work or family reasons, it is essential to prepare the correct documentation for a smooth customs clearance process.

The following documents are required:

• Owner’s original passport: The owner must be physically present in India at the time of customs clearance. The passport will be temporarily surrendered to the clearing agent and will be returned at the time of delivery of the household goods.
• Inventory list: A detailed list of articles, including their individual values and dates of purchase, must be provided. This inventory should be prepared by the international moving company assisting with your relocation.
• Customs Declaration Form: This must be signed by the owner.
• Original ocean freight bill of lading: This document is necessary to prove shipment and transit details.
• Diplomatic shipments: For diplomatic consignments, a duty-free exemption certificate issued by the Diplomatic Mission in India is required.

Whether you are moving to India permanently or simply transferring your residence temporarily, having the correct paperwork is crucial to avoid delays or additional customs fees.

If you are moving to India from Canada, relocating to India, or moving back to India permanently, it is important to understand the customs duties that apply to major appliances and electronic goods.

When moving to India, one unit of each type of major electrical appliance or electronic item, whether new or used, is allowed at a concessional customs duty rate of 15%, provided that the total customs-assessed value does not exceed ₹500,000. Items covered under this rule include:

• Television, Music system, Home theater system
• Dishwasher
• Washing machine
• Air conditioner
• Domestic refrigerator (capacity above 300 litres or equivalent), Deep freezer
• Microwave oven
• Video camera
• Desktop computer or laptop
• Fax machine
• Portable photocopier
• Treadmill, exercise bike (for personal use)

If the owner imports more than one unit of the same item, or if the total assessed value exceeds ₹500,000, the second item and the excess value will be subject to the higher standard customs duty rate of 38%.

When moving to India, one set of used golf clubs (with an additional set of ladies’ golf clubs allowed for a spouse) and used exercise equipment such as weights, treadmills, or exercise bikes may be imported duty-free. However, if the equipment is new, it will attract a duty of 38% of the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value. These items are not covered under the special rules for the import of sporting goods for personal use.

Understanding these regulations is crucial when moving to India permanently to avoid unexpected costs. Orbit International Moving Logistics can assist you with customs documentation and duty clarification to make your move as smooth and cost-effective as possible.

Foreign nationals and persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports are permitted duty-free import of foodstuffs up to a maximum value of ₹100,000 per calendar year (effective since February 28, 2002). If you are moving to India from Canada, moving to India permanently, or relocating to India, it is important to note that this duty-free allowance only covers non-alcoholic food products.

Alcohol, liquor, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are not considered part of duty-free household effects when moving to India. Customs duties on alcohol are extremely high, typically around 135%~150% of the assessed value. Additionally, alcoholic beverages are subject to possible confiscation, and heavy fines may be imposed.

Whether you are moving to India permanently or relocating to India for business or family, we strongly recommend that alcohol not be included in your household goods shipment. Doing so can cause serious clearance delays, increased duties, and financial penalties.

For tobacco products, similar restrictions and high duties apply.

This information is intended for general guidance only. Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, or consequences resulting from the use of this information. We strongly advise contacting the nearest Indian customs office for the most current regulations and duty rates before you ship your household goods.

Consulate-General of India in Toronto, Canada
Suite # 700
365 Bloor Street East, 7th Floor
Toronto, ON M4W 3L4
City: Toronto
Phone: (416) 960-0751 ext. 52
Fax: (416) 960-9812
Website: cgitoronto.gov.in
Email: cgindia@cgitoronto.ca
Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 9.00 AM to 11.00 AM : – Receipt of applications (Visa applicants: Please see details under Visa Services regarding eligibility) 3.00 PM to 4.00 PM: Delivery of documents on specified date

High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada
10 Springfield Road
K1M 1C9
City: Ontario
Phone: 00-613-7443751-53
Fax: 00-613-7440913
Website: hciottawa.gov.in
Email: hicomind@hciottawa.ca
Office Hours: Monday to Friday
9.30 AM to 11.00 AM: Receipt of applications
3.00 PM to 4 PM: Delivery of documents on specified date
4.00 PM to 4.30 PM: For old pick-ups

Consulate General of India in Vancouver, Canada
#201-325 Howe Street 2nd Floor
Vancouver BC V6C1Z7
City: Vancouver
Phone: (604) 662-8811
Fax: (604) 682-3556
Website: cgivancouver.gov.in
Email: indiaadmn@telus.net