Freight Forwarding from Thailand to India
Laem Chabang and Bangkok Port sailings to Chennai and the west coast, with export documentation, ocean freight and Indian customs handled by one team.
Selling into Thailand instead? See our India to Thailand export guide →
Trade Lane Overview
Thailand → India at a Glance
Thailand ships to India mainly through Laem Chabang, Southeast Asia's largest deep-sea terminal east of Bangkok, with Bangkok Port (Khlong Toei) handling additional volume for Bangkok-area exporters. Both ports run regular India-bound strings, giving importers weekly sailing choices rather than waiting on a single carrier.
As an ASEAN economy with a free trade agreement framework with India, Thailand is a well-established sourcing base for auto parts and components, processed rubber, plastics, electronics sub-assemblies and agricultural products including rice and processed foods.
Chennai is the natural gateway for Thailand-origin cargo — it's the shortest sea crossing from the Gulf of Thailand — though Nhava Sheva and Kandla are equally bookable for shipments continuing to west or north India.
Region
Southeast Asia
Transit
9–14 days
Distance
2,229 km
Primary Gateway
Chennai Port
Typical Cargo
Auto parts, rubber products, plastics, electronics components and processed foods
Why This Lane
Why Ship Thailand → India With Apextar
Weekly sailings from Laem Chabang keep space available without long lead times.
FCL and consolidated LCL both run on this lane for small and large shipments alike.
Chennai gateway keeps transit short compared with west-coast routings from Southeast Asia.
One Apextar team handles Thai export documentation, ocean freight and Indian customs clearance.
Paperwork
Documents You'll Need
What we collect and file for a Thailand → India shipment.
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
Itemised value, HS codes and package weights/measures for Thai export declaration and Indian customs assessment.
Bill of Lading
Issued on loading at Laem Chabang or Bangkok Port — negotiable original or telex release, as you prefer.
Certificate of Origin (Form AI / ASEAN-India FTA)
Supports preferential duty treatment under the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement where the product qualifies.
Importer's IEC & GST Registration
Required before our brokerage team can file the Bill of Entry on arrival in India.
Bill of Entry
Filed by Apextar's in-house customs house agents to assess duty and secure release at the Indian gateway.
Customs & Compliance
Clearing Cargo in India
Apextar's licensed customs brokerage files the Bill of Entry, coordinates duty payment and manages any examination at the Indian gateway port, including claiming ASEAN-India FTA preferential rates where your product's origin criteria are met.
Timing It Right
Seasonal Considerations
Thailand's monsoon (roughly June to October) and year-end floods in some years can affect inland trucking to Laem Chabang, so cargo booked during that window benefits from a few extra planning days. On the Indian side, the same June–September monsoon can slow Chennai port operations. Demand also firms up ahead of the Indian festive season from August to October.
Good to Know
Thailand to India — FAQs
How long does sea freight from Thailand to India take?
Typically 9–14 days port to port depending on the Indian gateway — Chennai is fastest, Nhava Sheva and Kandla add a few days for the longer routing around the Indian peninsula.
Do you handle FCL and LCL from Thailand?
Yes — full containers from Laem Chabang or Bangkok Port on the next available sailing, plus consolidated LCL for smaller shipments on a regular schedule.
Can I claim reduced duty under the ASEAN-India FTA?
If your cargo meets the origin criteria, a Form AI Certificate of Origin lets our brokerage team claim preferential tariff treatment on filing — we confirm eligibility during booking.
Which Indian port should I use for Thailand cargo?
Chennai gives the shortest transit for most shipments. Nhava Sheva or Kandla make more sense if your final delivery point is in west or north India — we'll route based on your total landed cost, not just sailing time.
Who clears customs on arrival in India?
Apextar's in-house brokerage team files and clears the shipment, handling duty assessment, examinations and delivery order so you don't need a separate customs agent.
How do I get a rate for my Thailand shipment?
Share the commodity, volume or container count and readiness date via our quote form and we'll respond with current rates and sailing options.
Keep Exploring
Other Trade Lanes We Run
Ready to Ship Thailand → India?
Share your cargo details and our team will come back with current rates and routing options.