Unlike traditional relocation companies, Sea Air Cargo Systems holds CHA Licence No. 11/1999 — we handle customs clearance in-house, not through a subcontractor. One point of contact from your Bengaluru door to your overseas address. Relocating from Bengaluru to the USA is one of the most common international moves in India — driven by H-1B transfers, L-1 relocations, and student departures to universities across the US. The freight logistics are straightforward; the customs paperwork is where most movers get it wrong. Sea Air Cargo Systems manages the entire chain from your Bengaluru door — export customs clearance (in-house, CHA Licence 11/1999), ocean or air freight, and US customs coordination through our vetted American agents. Sea Air is NOT a traditional packing company that outsources customs. We are the customs authority on your shipment.
Shipping household goods Bangalore to USA: Sea freight via Chennai Port or JNPT → USA East Coast (JFK/Baltimore): 38–50 days. West Coast (LA/Seattle): 42–52 days. Cost: ₹5,500–₹7,500/CBM LCL. Air freight BLR → JFK/LAX: 7–10 days, ₹500–700/kg. US customs for personal household goods: generally duty-free for genuine residents with a CBP Form 3299.
Most Bengaluru-to-USA moves are a volume decision. If you are a single professional with one bedroom of goods, LCL sea freight is almost always the right choice. If you are a family of four with a full house, a 20-foot or 40-foot FCL container gives you the best cost per CBM.
| Mode | Volume/weight | Transit (door-door) | Approx cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCL sea | 1–10 CBM | 45–60 days | ₹5,500–7,500/CBM | 1-bedroom apartment, cost-sensitive |
| FCL 20ft | 15–25 CBM | 45–60 days | USD 4,500–6,500 | Full household, best ₹/CBM |
| FCL 40ft | 25–40 CBM | 45–60 days | USD 6,500–8,500 | Large household |
| Air freight | 50–300 kg | 7–12 days | ₹500–700/kg | Urgent items, electronics, students |
West Coast (LA/Seattle) is 3–5 days longer via Suez. East Coast (NY/Baltimore/Savannah) is the standard Bengaluru routing via Chennai + Suez + Atlantic. For most Bengaluru shippers, East Coast delivery is the default unless you specifically need West Coast arrival.
For a broader comparison of international moving options, see international movers in Bangalore — full service comparison.
There is no export duty on personal effects exported from India for genuine movers. Your CHA files a Shipping Bill on ICEGATE with "Personal Effects" declared as the goods description. This is a standard export declaration, not a commercial export.
For sea freight, ICD Whitefield (INWFD6) is the main export customs station for Bengaluru. Goods are collected from your address, trucked to ICD Whitefield, and customs verifies the shipment matches the packing list. For air freight, export clearance happens at BLR airport customs.
Required documents: passport copy, US visa (H-1B, L-1, F-1, or green card), detailed packing list, and proof of your move (employment letter or university admission letter). Customs may physically inspect goods to confirm they are used personal items, not new commercial stock.
Technically possible but Indian right-hand drive cars cannot be road-registered in the USA. The cost of conversion, homologation, and compliance with EPA/DOT standards makes it economically unviable. Our advice: sell your car in India and buy in the USA.
For a complete guide on the export process, read complete export process when moving abroad from Bangalore. For air cargo specifics, see air cargo from BLR airport to USA.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processes personal household goods under CBP Form 3299 — the Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. For most genuine residents and incoming immigrants, US import duty on used personal household goods is zero.
The key condition: items must have been owned and used for at least 1 year. New items (still in original packaging, or purchased within the last 12 months) may attract US import duty at the applicable Harmonized Tariff Schedule rate.
Restricted items at US customs: fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seeds, and plants are restricted by USDA. Narcotics are prohibited by DEA. Certain firearms and weapons require ATF clearance. Electronics in original packaging may be questioned by CBP — carry purchase receipts in your hand luggage to prove personal use.
Sea Air's US partner agents file CBP Form 3299 on your behalf and coordinate with CBP at the port of entry. Once cleared, delivery to your US address takes 3–5 days.
Students departing for US universities on an F-1 visa have specific needs: they typically have less volume than working professionals, but they still need books, winter clothing, and kitchen essentials.
Our recommended approach: ship the heavy items by sea 6 weeks before your flight — books, winter clothes, kitchenware, bedding. Carry electronics and documents in airline baggage — laptop, phone, passport, I-20 form, admission letter. This split strategy keeps your immediate luggage light while ensuring your bulk items arrive 1–2 weeks after you land.
US universities do not provide customs exemptions for student personal effects beyond the standard CBP Form 3299 process. However, most student shipments are small enough to clear quickly.
Food items: packaged Indian food in factory-sealed commercial packaging is generally allowed. Fresh items, seeds, and meat are prohibited by USDA. Check the USDA APHIS website if you are unsure about any specific item.
If you are returning to India after your studies, read our Transfer of Residence when returning to India later guide. For importing goods back from the USA, see if you're returning from USA and importing goods back.
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Door-to-door, sea freight from Bengaluru to USA East Coast (New York, Baltimore, Savannah) takes 45–60 days including: 3–5 days export customs at ICD Whitefield, 2–3 days trucking to Chennai, 28–35 days ocean transit, 5–7 days US port processing and customs, 2–5 days US domestic delivery.
LCL sea freight: ₹5,500–₹7,500/CBM including export documentation. A 2-bedroom apartment (10–15 CBM) costs approximately ₹55,000–₹1,12,500 in freight. Air freight: ₹500–700/kg door-to-door. These are freight-only rates; US-end customs brokerage and last-mile delivery are additional.
Most personal household goods shipped by a genuine US resident or incoming immigrant are eligible for duty-free entry under CBP Form 3299. Items must be owned and used for ≥1 year. New items (still in original packaging) may attract duty. Your US customs broker files the form on arrival.
Commercially packaged, factory-sealed food products (Haldiram's snacks, MDH spices, packaged rice/dal) are generally allowed. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seeds, and dairy are prohibited by USDA. When in doubt, check the USDA APHIS website before packing.
Contact Sea Air Cargo Systems at +91 90085 21186 or via WhatsApp. Share: your Bengaluru pickup address, US delivery address (city/state), approximate volume (number of rooms or CBM estimate), and preferred ship date. We send a door-to-door quote within 2 hours.
Sea Air is a licensed CHA (Customs House Agent) — most relocation companies are not. This means your customs clearance is handled by the same company managing your freight, not outsourced to a third party at the port. This reduces delays, avoids communication gaps, and gives you one accountable contact for the entire move.
Speak with our licensed CHA team and get your door-to-door quote within 2 hours.