Moving To India From The UK

Moving to India

If you’re moving to India, Britannia will be able to help you through each step of the process. Whether you’re moving to Deli, Mumbai or Bangalore we have the local knowledge and expertise to meet your needs and requirements.

	Importing Personal Effects to India For returning citizens and non-citizens, shipments of used household and personal effects are duty free providing they have been owned and used longer than 12 months. The exception to this is certain electronic goods, which are subject to duties of 15%, and foodstuffs in excess of a certain value. The shipper must have lived abroad for more than two years, and not visited India for more than 180 days in the previous two years. Non-citizens must have a resident or business/work visa. The effects must be shipped within one month of the arrival of the owner, who must be in India for clearance of the effects as an original passport is needed for this. Your local Britannia Member will provide you with detailed customs regulations.
	India Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to India Sole use containers take an average of 12 – 14 weeks. Crated consignments may take longer, on average between 8 and 9 weeks.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to India All groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to India with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Importing Motor Vehicles to India Although right-hand drive motor vehicles owned and used for more than a year are allowed to be imported, the duty is extremely high. Used cars attract duty of 169% and Motor Cycles 152%. Shipment is, therefore, not recommended.
	India Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International payments Regular overseas transfers Prepaid Currency card Forward contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to India with Britannia

Your Move to India with Britannia – Britannia has a dedicated network of removers who will assist you with moving to India. We provide computer tracking and bar coding for groupage consignments, to ensure a safe and reliable removal service. Your household goods can be transported to India in sea containers or by air. We can also provide packing and a full door to door service to India.

Additional removal services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to India. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to India, you can request a quote, and read more about our international removals, and our additional moving services, like pet transport or money transfer.

Living in India

Moving to India is an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in a country known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse landscapes. Living in India offers a kaleidoscope of experiences shaped by its diversity and vibrant everyday life. Urban centres like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi are hubs of modern amenities, job opportunities, and a fast-paced lifestyle, while smaller cities and rural areas provide a slower, more traditional way of life.

India is the seventh-largest country in the world by geographical size and the second most populated country with over 1.2 billion citizens. India is the tenth largest economy in the world and since 1991 the country’s economy has been one of the fastest growing. Four of the world’s major religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism all originated in India. India is home to 28 world heritage sites including the Taj Mahal and the Ellora Caves. The country is full of rich cultural traditions meaning wherever you are in India there will always be something new and exciting to discover and explore.

Daily life in India is an enriching mix of tradition and modernity. The country’s cultural festivals, like Diwali and Holi, are celebrated with great enthusiasm, offering a chance for expats to engage with local customs. English is widely spoken, particularly in business and education, but learning a few phrases in Hindi or a regional language can help you connect more deeply with your community. While the infrastructure in some areas can be challenging, India’s warmth, hospitality, and dynamic culture make living here a uniquely rewarding experience.

India Visas

A common visa option for UK expats in India is the employment visa. This will be for people who have a job offer from an Indian business. The role will typically require specialist skills as the employer will need to show that the role couldn’t be filled by local talent. This visa will be valid for between one and five years and is renewable.

Visa applications must be submitted to your local Indian embassy or consulate. You’ll need to include the relevant supporting documents such as your proof of employment. It can take a few weeks for visa applications to be processed, so you should apply with plenty of time.

Working in India

For UK citizens looking for work in India, there are a range of opportunities available for those with the right experience and skills. Sectors such as IT and software development, finance and banking, business management, healthcare, and engineering are all popular with UK expats.

The working culture in India is a mixture of modern business practices and traditional values. There can be long work days and overtime is common, especially in fast-paced industries such as finance and IT. There will typically be a clear hierarchy in Indian workplaces, where there is a strong respect for seniority. Decision-making will usually fall to senior management, but there is also an focus on teamwork and collaboration, particularly in the more creative sectors.

Cost of Living in India

The cost of living in India is vastly lower than the cost of living in most Western countries. In the large metropolitan cities like Deli living costs are more expensive than in the smaller cities and towns.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living is 66% lower in India than it is in the UK. This doesn’t include rent though; rent alone is nearly 83% lower in India than in the UK. Salaries are also typically lower in India though. In India, the average monthly salary is 80% lower than in the UK.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in India  below. Prices are shown in rupees and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About India

• India is the largest democracy in the world, with over 900 million eligible voters.
• India is home to the world’s largest film industry by the number of films produced, known as Bollywood – it produces over 1,800 films annually in multiple languages.
• India is home to about 70% of the world’s tiger population. The Bengal tiger is a national symbol and can be found in several wildlife reserves across the country.
• Chess was invented in India.
• Marigold flowers are used to decorate Hindu weddings and are a symbol of good fortune and happiness.
• India’s national fruit is the mango.
• Despite India’s huge size the whole country operates under one time zone.

Choose Britannia for Your India Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to India and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.