Shipping from Dubai to DelhiShipping from Dubai to Delhi, by air and rail.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Delhi for businesses. We book air freight from DXB into Delhi airport. Sea cargo goes from Jebel Ali to Mundra or Nhava Sheva, then by rail to an inland depot such as ICD Tughlakabad or Patparganj. 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 Delhi at a glance
Delhi has no seaport, so sea cargo reaches it by rail from the west coast. Air cargo flies direct. The inland depots in Delhi are where containers clear.
- Flights
- Direct DXB to DEL
- Sea and rail
- Mundra or Nhava Sheva, then rail to Delhi ICDs
- Rail time
- Dadri to Mundra under 30 h on the Western DFC
- Inland depots
- Tughlakabad and Patparganj
Delhi airport and inland depots
Delhi buyers receive air cargo at the airport and sea cargo at an inland container depot. The port is only the first stop.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | DEL | Indira Gandhi International Airport; cargo terminals now run by GMR Airports after Celebi | |
| Inland depot | Delhi | CONCOR's large inland dry port for north India | |
| Inland depot | Delhi | Smaller depot in east Delhi | |
| Seaport | INMUN | The port most Delhi-bound containers are railed from | |
| Seaport | INNSA | The alternative port, with a newer rail link to the north |
Air, or sea and rail to Delhi
Air is direct. Sea cargo needs a port, a rail leg and an inland clearance point.
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to DEL, Delhi airport cargo terminals | Next day to 2 days, plus clearance | Urgent and high-value stock | |
| Sea and rail FCL | Jebel Ali to Mundra or Nhava Sheva, then rail to ICD Tughlakabad or Patparganj | Sea plus rail; ask for current schedules | Full containers for Delhi and NCR |
| Sea and road | Jebel Ali to Mundra, then trailer to Delhi | Varies; road is slower and costlier than rail for full boxes | Time-critical or oversized boxes |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Delhi
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Air India
- IndiGo
Timings are typical ranges, not promises. Rail and port times change with schedules. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Clearance at Delhi airport and ICD
Delhi has separate Customs commissionerates for air cargo import, air cargo export and inland depots. The Indian importer or their customs broker files the declaration.
| Item | In Delhi |
|---|---|
| Air clearance | Customs at the Delhi Air Cargo Complex (import commissionerate) |
| Inland clearance | Customs at ICD Tughlakabad or ICD Patparganj; Tughlakabad has online exam scheduling and works on Sundays and holidays |
| Rail leg | Containers move in bond from the port to the depot under customs control, usually on CONCOR trains |
| Local delivery | Delhi and Haryana e-way bill rules apply for most consignments above Rs 50,000 |
| National rules | India import rules and duty |
Delhi airport cargo changed hands in 2025 when Celebi lost its security clearance and GMR took over operations. Ask your broker about current gate arrangements.
Delhi delivery points to plan for
Local points for Delhi and NCR deliveries, apart from national approvals on the India page.
- 01
Delhi airport cargo operations moved to GMR in 2025 and the main terminal has been awarded for upgrade. Confirm current gate hours with the broker.
- 02
Containers wait at the port for a train. Confirm with the line which depot your box is routed to.
- 03
Tughlakabad suits south and central Delhi. Patparganj is on the east side. Pick the one closer to the consignee.
- 04
Last mile in NCR
Heavy trucks have time restrictions in Delhi. Plan deliveries for allowed hours.
- 05
Free time at the depot
Storage starts after the free period. Ask CONCOR or the line for free days at your depot.
- 06
Gurugram and Noida buyers
Many NCR buyers sit outside Delhi limits. Check which depot, or direct delivery from Dadri, suits them.
Paperwork for Delhi consignees
Send these with the booking so the Delhi broker can file without questions.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Customs value, matched to the buyer's GST records | |
| Air waybill or bill of lading | Release of cargo from terminal or line |
| Issued by the line or airline; needed for gate release | |
| Shows the container is moving in bond from port to depot | |
| Packing list | Counts and marks at examination |
Restricted or banned in Delhi
- Personal effects and unaccompanied baggage (business cargo only)
- Goods without the importer's IEC and GST details
- Dangerous goods without declaration
- Cargo needing an Indian approval the buyer lacks
- Unmarked pieces at the depot
Airlift handles business cargo, not personal boxes or household goods.
Cargo Delhi buyers order from Dubai
Delhi and NCR importers use this route for three groups of cargo.
- 01
Electronics and IT hardware
Devices and components, usually air-freighted to DEL.
- 02
Industrial machinery and spares
Equipment and parts for plants in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
- 03
Retail and consumer goods
Fittings, lighting and consumer goods for NCR distributors.
Dubai to Delhi shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneDelhi has no seaport. Sea cargo goes from Jebel Ali to Mundra or Nhava Sheva, then by rail to an inland depot such as ICD Tughlakabad. Customs clears it there. Ask for the depot name before booking, because it decides the final truck leg.
- Containers move in bond on the train.
- Mundra is the usual rail origin.
Celebi lost its Indian security clearance in May 2025. Delhi airport then ended the cargo concession and GMR took over operations. GMR was later awarded Cargo Terminal 1 for upgrade. Gate rules may have changed, so ask your broker before the flight lands.
- Check terminal hours.
- Keep the handler's receipts.
Choose the one nearest the consignee. Tughlakabad is the larger depot, with online examination booking and Sunday clearance. Patparganj is in east Delhi. Both clear containers under Delhi Customs, and your line or broker should name the depot at booking.
- Ask about free days at each.
- Distance to the warehouse drives cost.
No. Airlift Logistics handles business cargo only. We do not move personal effects, gifts or household goods. If you import goods into Delhi or NCR, send the invoice, packing list and your broker's details and we will quote the air or sea-and-rail route.
- We quote commercial cargo only.
- Share cargo size and pickup point.