Garments shipping from India to the UK and Europe is mostly done by sea in full containers, with hanging garments in special containers or on rails and flat-packed garments in cartons. Sea freight is far cheaper per piece than air but slower, so it suits planned seasonal orders.
The transit time for shipping from India to Europe depends on the carrier service, any transhipment and the destination port. Build your schedule from current carrier information, not from a rule of thumb.
How long is sea freight for garments from India to Europe?
The ocean leg to a UK or north European port normally takes a few weeks, but real door-to-door time includes the days before sailing and the days after arrival. Port congestion, schedule changes and routing around the Red Sea or via the Cape of Good Hope can add time.
Our guide to sea freight times for Indian textiles to Europe and the US explains what to ask your forwarder. Ask for the sailing schedule and the last date for container gate-in.
Should garments go flat or hanging?
Flat-packed garments in cartons use container space well and suit T-shirts, knitwear and most basics. Garments on hangers are used for tailored or crease-sensitive items, such as shirts, dresses and jackets that go straight to the shop floor.
Hanging cargo takes more space and cost per piece, and the packing method must be agreed before production. See flat, hanging and assortment packing for what each option needs.
FCL or LCL for garment orders?
A full container load gives you a sealed unit with one set of documents and less handling. Less-than-container-load sharing is suitable for smaller volumes but means more handling at both ends, longer dwell time and higher claim risk.
If your first order is small, ask the factory whether it can combine your goods with another order of yours, or whether LCL is the more realistic route. LCL shipping for textiles covers the trade-offs.
What should you plan for on arrival?
For the UK and EU, your customs broker files the import declaration, and duty and VAT are assessed on arrival. Because India-UK and India-EU duty arrangements have changed in 2026, confirm the current rate and origin proof first. See what the trade deals mean for textile duty.
Also check labelling, since garments must carry the right fibre and care information for the market where they are sold.
Which Incoterm suits a first garment order?
For a first order most importers choose FOB, where the factory delivers to the vessel and you control freight and insurance, or CIF, where the seller books the main carriage. The differences are explained in FOB, CIF or DAP.
Whatever the term, state the named port and make sure the factory knows the cut-off date. Garments that miss the vessel often wait a week or more for the next sailing, and that delay can push a seasonal range past its selling window.
Next step
We supervise packing and loading and check shipping documents against the order. To plan your next garment shipment, book a free sourcing review.