1. WHICH ARE THE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN INDIA FOR AIR CARGO?

The major airports in India for cargo are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Thiruvanathapuram and Kolkata.

Airports such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad take up most of the major air traffic movement (both imports and exports).

2. CAN WE MOVE INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT BETWEEN TWO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN INDIA? FOR EXAMPLE: CAN WE IMPORT FREIGHT INTO DELHI AND TRUCK IT TO BANGALORE?

Technically yes, one can do it, but the time involved in doing so is very high. Hence it is advisable that any freight for north of India be moved to Delhi, where it can be cleared and trucked. Similarly, freight for western India, should be brought into Mumbai airport, cleared there and trucked.

For East of India, it should be Kolkata.

In South India, there are 4 international airports – Bangalore which caters to the state of Karnataka, Chennai which largely caters to Tamilnadu and also to parts of neighbouring states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad dominantly caters to traffic into Andhra Pradesh. Thiruvanathapuram largely caters to state of Kerala. Some freight for Thiruvanathapuram is also routed via Mumbai. Please contact a Sherif Cargo executive regard to specific routing who are well equipped to assist you.

3. WHICH ARE THE KEY INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES WHICH FLY IN AND OUT OF INDIA?

From/to Delhi -BA, SQ, LH, EK, EY, CX, TG, UL, MH, AI

From/to Mumbai -BA, SQ, LH, EK, EY, CX, TG, UL, MH, AI, SA

From/to Bangalore -BA, SQ, LH, EK, EY, CX, TG, UL, MH, AI

From/to Chennai -BA, SQ, LH, EK, EY, CX, TG, UL, MH, AI

From/to Hyderabad -BA, SQ, LH, EK, EY, CX, TG, UL, MH, AI

BA- British Airways CX- Cathay Pacific

SQ- Singapore Airlines TG- Thai Airways

LH- Lufthansa MH- Malaysia Airlines

EK- Emirates AI – Air India

EY- Etihad Airways SA- South African Airlines

4. WHICH ARE THE KEY PORTS IN INDIA FOR CONTAINERS CARGO AND BULK CARGO?

The key ports for containerized freight handling are Mumbai port – Nava Sheva, Chennai port and Tuticorin port.

5. HOW DOES ONE MOVE OCEAN FREIGHT TO THE INTERIOR PARTS OF INDIA?

Besides containerised ports in India, there are many dry ports which are called ICD (inland container depot). These ICDs are located in various parts of India.

To go to these ICDs, the freight must go through their gateway ports. For South India, the gateway port is Chennai and for West and North of India, the gateway port is Nava Sheva. For East India, it is Kolkata.

To carry out the shipments to interior ICDs, 'Master Bills of Lading' must say 'port of discharge as gateway port' and place of delivery should be ICD, eg: if shipment is meant for ICD Bangalore, MBL will show 'port of discharge is Chennai' and place of delivery as 'ICD Bangalore'.

For more clarity, contact a Sherif Cargo executive.

For more clarity, contact a Sherif Cargo executive.

6. WHAT IS THE COMMUTING TIME BETWEEN MAJOR INDIAN CITIES?

The commuting time is broken down into two categories i.e., by air and road.

Please refer to enclosed matrix for better understanding. Travel time between major cities of India:

7. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT SHIPMENTS OUT OF INDIA?

Documents required for normal import shipment are:

1. Cargo arrival notice;
2. Air waybill copy;
3. Invoice;
4. Packing list;
5. Certificate of origin

Documents required for normal export shipment:

1. Invoice;
2. Packing list;
3. Air waybill / Bill of Lading;
4. Purchase order copy;
5. Certificate of origin (of concerned country);
6. Inspection or quality credential (if buyer requires any examination of goods prior to shipment).

In certain cases, there are very specific documents required and some also require approval of government agencies.

Please contact a Sherif Cargo executive to guide you. The above listing is forgeneral cargo.

8. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME TAKEN TO CLEAR IMPORT SHIPMENTS AT INDIAN AIRPORTS AND PORTS?

Clearance of freight at both Indian airports and ports is directly linked to nature of items, compliance and accuracy of paper work, availability of payable duty amount and other charges of airport and port authorities.

If all these are in order, air shipments can be cleared within 24-48 hours.

At the port, minimum time required is 3-4 days.

Please contact a Sherif Cargo executive to assist you with specifics as the above information is generic in nature.