- Heavy machinery
- Project cargo
- ODC
How to Ship Heavy Machinery from India: A Step-by-Step Guide
Planning to export heavy machinery from India? Learn about flat racks, open tops, breakbulk, lashing, route surveys, packing and customs for project cargo.
By JCTrance Freight Team ·· 2 min read
Heavy machinery — presses, CNC machines, gensets, crushers and plant equipment — is among India’s fastest-growing exports. Moving it safely takes more planning than regular cargo. Here is how experienced project forwarders approach it.
1. Start with a technical survey
Before any quote is final, a project engineer should visit your site to confirm:
- Exact dimensions and weight (including centre of gravity)
- Lifting and lashing points
- Whether the machine can be dismantled to reduce size
- Access for cranes and trailers at your factory
2. Choose the right equipment
| Cargo profile | Recommended equipment |
|---|---|
| Fits within 2.35 m wide × 2.39 m high | Standard 20′/40′ container |
| Over-height, normal width | Open-top container |
| Over-width or very heavy | Flat rack container |
| Extremely large or > 50 tonnes | Breakbulk vessel or heavy-lift ship |
| Self-propelled machinery | RoRo |
3. Engineer the packing
Machinery typically needs VCI anti-corrosion film, desiccants and a seaworthy ISPM-15 crate or skid. Add tilt and shock indicators for sensitive equipment so any mishandling is visible at destination. Learn more about our packing and crating service.
4. Plan the road leg
Over-dimensional (ODC) cargo needs hydraulic axles or low-bed trailers, state permits and often police escort. A route survey identifies bridges, overhead cables and toll gates in advance.
5. Lashing and securing
A lashing plan calculates the forces the machine will experience at sea and specifies chains, wire ropes and blocking. It should be signed off by a marine surveyor for high-value cargo.
6. Customs and insurance
Get the HS classification right, declare accessories separately where required, and buy all-risk marine insurance — standard carrier liability covers only a fraction of the machine’s value.
Work with project cargo specialists
Our project cargo team plans moves of presses, turbines and complete production lines from India to the USA, Canada and Europe. Tell us about your machine and we will plan the move end-to-end.
