Should I ship my belongings to India?

Generally no, unless you have irreplaceable items. Furniture, electronics, clothing, and household goods are 50–80% cheaper in India. Shipping a 20ft container costs $2,000–$5,000 plus customs duty. Most expats arrive with two suitcases and set up locally within a week for a fraction of the shipping cost.

What vaccinations do I need for India?

Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus-Diphtheria, and routine vaccines (MMR, etc.). Yellow Fever certificate is mandatory if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for rural areas and monsoon season. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

How long does it take to settle in?

Most expats report 2–4 weeks to handle logistics (housing, SIM, bank account) and 2–3 months to feel culturally adjusted. The initial culture shock is significant but temporary. Joining expat groups, learning basic Hindi/local language, and embracing local food culture accelerate the process.

Is it easy to find Western comforts in India?

In major cities, yes. Bangalore, Mumbai, and Goa have international restaurants, imported groceries (Nature's Basket, Foodhall), Western-style gyms, and global brands. Goa in particular has a large European expat community with familiar cafés and restaurants. Expect to pay a premium for imported goods (2–3x local prices).

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

✈️

🇮🇳 India

Moving Guide

$2,000–$5,000

Shipping (20ft Container)

From US/Europe; 6–10 weeks

0–40%

Customs Duty

Varies by item; electronics attract duty

₹500–₹2,000

Airport Transfer

$6–$24 by Uber/Ola

$1,500–$3,000

Setup Cost (First Month)

Deposit + furnishing + basics

Hep A/B, Typhoid

Vaccination Recommended

Yellow fever if from endemic area

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏖️Goa 💻Bangalore 🏙️Mumbai

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Moving to India requires planning around visa logistics, shipping, vaccinations, and cultural adjustment. The bureaucracy is real but manageable, and the cost of setting up in India is remarkably low. Most expats find that arriving with two suitcases and buying everything locally is the smartest approach.

Key Takeaways

Apply for e-Visa 2–4 weeks before travel; keep printed copies of your visa approval — some airlines and immigration officers require them
SIM card: Visit a Jio or Airtel store with passport + visa copy; Jio ₹299 plan gives unlimited calls + 2GB/day; activation takes 1–4 hours (sometimes 24 hours)
Sea freight: $2,000–$5,000 for a 20ft container from US/Europe; takes 6–10 weeks door-to-door including customs clearance
Expect sensory overload: India is loud, colorful, crowded, and intense — this is part of the experience, not a bug

Before You Go

Preparation for India is key. Handle visa, health, insurance, and financial setup before you arrive — Indian bureaucracy is much harder to navigate once you're on the ground without the right documents.

Apply for e-Visa 2–4 weeks before travel; keep printed copies of your visa approval — some airlines and immigration officers require them
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus recommended; Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
Comprehensive travel/health insurance is essential — ensure it covers medical evacuation, as you may need to reach a major city for serious care
Carry passport-sized photos (at least 6) — India's bureaucracy loves physical photos for SIM cards, bank accounts, and registrations
Download essential apps before arrival: Ola/Uber (rides), Google Pay (UPI), Swiggy/Zomato (food delivery), Google Maps (navigation)

First Week Setup

Your first week in India should focus on getting a SIM card, local bank account (if staying long-term), and securing accommodation. Everything else is cheap and easy to arrange locally.

SIM card: Visit a Jio or Airtel store with passport + visa copy; Jio ₹299 plan gives unlimited calls + 2GB/day; activation takes 1–4 hours (sometimes 24 hours)
Currency: Withdraw INR from airport ATMs (better rates than exchange counters); carry $200–$300 in USD as backup
Accommodation: Book 3–5 nights at a hotel/Airbnb first, then apartment hunt in person — online listings don't always match reality
Transportation: Use Ola or Uber from the airport (₹500–₹2,000 depending on city and distance); avoid prepaid taxi counters that overcharge
Register with your embassy: Most countries recommend registering with their consulate/embassy for emergency contact and travel advisories

Shipping & Customs

Shipping to India is affordable but slow, and customs can be unpredictable. Most expats recommend shipping only sentimental or irreplaceable items and buying everything else locally.

Sea freight: $2,000–$5,000 for a 20ft container from US/Europe; takes 6–10 weeks door-to-door including customs clearance
Customs duty ranges from 0–40% depending on items; electronics (laptops, cameras) attract 18–28% GST; used personal effects are usually duty-free
Furniture, appliances, and clothing are extremely cheap locally — shipping these from abroad is almost never worth it
Important documents: Carry originals of degree certificates, marriage certificate, birth certificates — apostille/attestation may be needed for official purposes
Hire a customs broker for large shipments — Indian customs procedures are bureaucratic and time-consuming without local expertise

Cultural Adjustment

India will challenge and reward you in equal measure. The initial culture shock is real — noise, crowds, traffic, and sensory overload — but most expats find their rhythm within 2–4 weeks.

Expect sensory overload: India is loud, colorful, crowded, and intense — this is part of the experience, not a bug
'Indian Standard Time' (IST) is also jokingly called 'Indian Stretchable Time' — meetings and deliveries may run 30–60 minutes late
Bargaining is expected at markets, auto-rickshaws, and most non-fixed-price situations; start at 50% of the asking price
Personal space and privacy norms are different — expect personal questions from strangers and close physical proximity in queues
Patience and humor are your best tools — bureaucracy, traffic, and unexpected situations are part of daily life in India

FAQs