Cargo from Dubai to MumbaiCargo from Dubai to Mumbai, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, ships cargo from Dubai to Mumbai for businesses. We book air freight from DXB into Mumbai airport and FCL or LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali into Nhava Sheva, then plan the last leg to your warehouse, a container freight station or an inland depot. We handle business cargo only, not personal boxes.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Mumbai at a glance
Mumbai has two very different entry points: the air cargo terminals at Sahar and the container terminals at Nhava Sheva across the harbour. Which one you use depends on weight, urgency and where the consignee sits.
- Flight time
- About 3 h DXB to Mumbai
- Sea gateway
- Nhava Sheva (INNSA), Raigad district
- Air cargo
- International terminal run by SATS-CSC JV
- Inland option
- ICDs and CFSs around Mumbai
Mumbai airport, Nhava Sheva and inland depots
Air cargo goes to Sahar; containers go to Nhava Sheva and onward by road or rail. Choose the depot or CFS with the consignee's warehouse in mind.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | BOM | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport; separate international and domestic cargo terminals | |
| Seaport | INNSA | Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Raigad, with several container terminals | |
| Terminals | NSICT · GTI · BMCT | Private container terminals inside the port, each with its own gate and cut-off | |
| Inland depot | Mumbai | Inland container depot in the Mumbai Customs Zone I area | |
| Container freight stations | Uran · Panvel | Private warehouses where LCL and some FCL boxes are stripped and examined |
Air or sea into Mumbai
The harbour separates the airport from Nhava Sheva, so the two modes have different truck legs.
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to BOM, international cargo terminal | Next day to 2 days, plus clearance | Urgent and high-value stock | |
| Sea FCL | Jebel Ali to a Nhava Sheva terminal | Port to port varies by service | Full containers for warehouses in Mumbai and Pune |
| Sea LCL | Consolidated at Jebel Ali, stripped at a CFS near Nhava Sheva | Longer; depends on consolidation | Smaller loads from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Mumbai
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Air India
- IndiGo
Timings are typical ranges from published schedules, not promises. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Clearance at Sahar and Nhava Sheva
Cargo is cleared by the importer or their customs broker at the place of arrival. Mumbai Customs works through separate zones for the port, the air cargo complex and inland depots.
| Item | In Mumbai |
|---|---|
| Air clearance | Mumbai Customs at the Sahar air cargo complex |
| Sea clearance | Customs at Nhava Sheva; examination can take place at a CFS or in the terminal |
| International air terminal | Mumbai Cargo Service Center Airport Pvt Ltd, a CSC and SATS joint venture (51 and 49 per cent), concession April 2018 to 2036 |
| Local delivery | Truck from Sahar or Nhava Sheva; Maharashtra e-way bill for most consignments above Rs 50,000 |
| National rules | India import rules and duty |
Ground handling at Mumbai changed in 2025, when the Turkish handler Celebi lost its clearance and Indo Thai Airport Services took over as interim provider. Ask your buyer's broker for current gate arrangements.
Mumbai delivery points to plan for
Local planning points for Mumbai, apart from the national approvals on the India page.
- 01
Import cargo must be cleared and collected within the terminal's free period. Book the truck so it arrives the day clearance is expected.
- 02
The port has several terminals, each with its own gate hours and fees. Ask the shipping line which one your container is booked on.
- 03
Some containers are moved to a CFS for examination or stripping. Ask the broker whether direct port delivery is allowed for your cargo.
- 04
Road across Navi Mumbai
Trucks from Nhava Sheva to Mumbai and Pune use the same roads as port traffic. Plan for daytime restrictions on heavy vehicles.
- 05
Rail-linked depots such as ICD Tumb receive containers by train from Nhava Sheva. Use them when the buyer is far from the coast.
- 06
Heavy equipment
Large pieces need a trailer and a route survey. Send dimensions early so we can plan the lift.
Paperwork for Mumbai consignees
Send these with the booking so the Mumbai broker can file the same day.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Customs value, matched to the buyer's GST invoice | |
| Air waybill or bill of lading | Release of cargo from the terminal or shipping line |
| Issued by the line or airline; needed for gate release | |
| Lets the truck enter the airport or port terminal | |
| Packing list | Counts and marks used at examination |
Restricted or banned in Mumbai
- Personal effects and unaccompanied baggage (business cargo only)
- Goods without the importer's IEC and GST details
- Dangerous goods without declaration
- Cargo that needs a product approval the buyer has not obtained
- Unmarked pieces at the CFS
Airlift handles business cargo, not personal boxes or household goods.
Cargo Mumbai buyers order from Dubai
Mumbai's importers and Maharashtra manufacturers use this route for three main groups.
- 01
Electronics and components
Parts, devices and IT hardware, usually air-freighted to BOM.
- 02
Industrial machinery and spares
Equipment for Maharashtra plants, often into Nhava Sheva.
- 03
Chemicals and packaging
Containerised inputs for the Raigad and Thane industrial belts.
Dubai to Mumbai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneAir cargo goes to BOM at Sahar, and containers go to Nhava Sheva. Choose air when speed or value matters, and sea for full or part containers. The two are across the harbour from each other, so the truck leg is different for each.
- BOM suits small, urgent, high-value goods.
- Nhava Sheva suits bulk and heavy stock.
Celebi lost its Indian security clearance in May 2025. Mumbai airport then appointed Indo Thai Airport Services as interim ground handler. International cargo is separate and sits with the CSC and SATS joint venture, so ask your broker which terminal your flight uses.
- Arrangements may have changed since.
- Confirm gate details before the flight lands.
The shipping line decides, and it is shown on the booking. The port has several container terminals, run by DP World, PSA, APM Terminals with CONCOR and others. Each has its own gate hours, so tell your trucker the terminal name before the vessel arrives.
- Check the line's notice of arrival.
- Terminal charges differ by operator.
No. Airlift Logistics handles business cargo only. We do not carry personal effects, gifts or household goods. If you are a Mumbai importer, send the invoice, packing list and your broker's details and we will quote the air or sea route that fits.
- We quote commercial cargo only.
- Share cargo size and pickup point.