Chennai port shipping is the main sea route into Tamil Nadu and much of south India, with two private container terminals, three docks and a long record in cars and liquid bulk. The port is run by the Chennai Port Authority under the Government of India, and imports are cleared by Chennai Customs. This guide covers the terminals, berth drafts, what cargo each dock takes, customs at this port and how to ship to Chennai from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Chennai, and from Chennai to Dubai.
Chennai port at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Chennai Port (formerly Madras Port), a major port of India |
| UN/LOCODE | INMAA |
| Port operations since | 1881 |
| Location | East coast of India, Bay of Bengal, north of Chennai city centre |
| Docks | Dr. Ambedkar Dock, Jawahar Dock, Bharathi Dock, plus the container terminals |
| Container terminals | Chennai Container Terminal (DP World) and Chennai International Terminals (PSA) |
| Cargo handled 2023-24 | 51.60 million tonnes |
| Containers handled 2023-24 | 1,589,540 TEU |
| Deepest container berth | CB4 at DP World's terminal, 15 m |
| Deepest container ship worked | 14.9 m draft, APL Boston, May 2024 |
| On-dock rail | Two 725 m sidings at PSA Chennai |
| Customs | Chennai Customs, CBIC; filing on ICEGATE |
| Chennai to Dubai | Shipping bill filed in India by the shipper or its broker; Dubai Customs declaration, 5% duty on CIF for most goods and 5% import VAT |
| Main cargo | Containers, cars (Ro-Ro), POL, general cargo, steel, granite, food grains |
What is Chennai port and who runs it?
Chennai is one of India's major ports, owned by the central government through the Chennai Port Authority and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Formal port operations started in 1881. It is an artificial harbour with breakwaters, which matters on the east coast because the port gets most of its rain from the northeast monsoon, from mid-September to mid-December, and Bay of Bengal cyclones sometimes hit the coast.
The port works on a landlord model. The authority owns the docks, channel and land. Private companies run the two container terminals under long concessions. For you as a shipper, the terminal on your carrier's booking decides where the box lands, which rail siding it can use and which yard rules apply.
Chennai is not the only port near the city. Kattupalli, run by Adani in north Chennai, markets itself as an alternative gateway with three berths and up to 15 m draft. Kamarajar Port at Ennore took over coal and iron ore after a Madras High Court ruling moved dusty cargo out of Chennai from 1 October 2011. Check which of the three your carrier calls before you quote a delivered price.
Which container terminals operate at Chennai port?
Two private operators handle almost all container traffic. Both sit inside the main harbour, but their equipment and rail access differ.
| Item | Chennai Container Terminal (CCTPL) | Chennai International Terminals (CITPL) |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | DP World | PSA |
| Operating since | 2001 | 2009 |
| Berths | CB1, CB2, CB3 at 13 m; CB4 at 15 m | Three berths on an 832 m quay |
| Quay cranes | 7 gantry cranes (4 post-Panamax, 3 twin-lift) | 7 quay cranes |
| Yard equipment and area | 25.06 ha; 3,960 TEU ground slots | 20 RTGs |
| Reefer points | Not published on the infrastructure page | 304 |
| Rail | Rail link inland, incl. a service to the National Capital Region | Two on-dock sidings of 725 m each, two rakes at a time |
| Recent volume | Not published on the infrastructure page | About 0.96 million TEU in 2025 |
PSA states its annual capacity as 1.25 million TEU on one part of its page and 1.45 million TEU in its banner, so treat capacity numbers as approximate. What matters more is draft: DP World's CB4 took the 9,326 TEU APL Boston at 14.9 m in May 2024, the deepest container ship the terminal had handled.
A simple rule: if your cargo has to go inland by train, ask the carrier which terminal its service uses and whether the rake can load at the terminal or needs a road shift to a rail yard first.
What cargo does Chennai port handle besides containers?
Each of the three docks has its own cargo mix. If you ship breakbulk, project cargo or liquids, the dock matters as much as the carrier.
| Dock | Berths and draft | Typical cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ambedkar Dock | 12 to 13 berths, about 8.5 to 12 m | General cargo, cars, granite, steel, food grains |
| Jawahar Dock | 6 berths, 1,310 m of quay, 10.4 to 11 m | Fertiliser, edible oil, phosphoric acid and other dry and liquid bulk |
| Bharathi Dock | Deep-water berths incl. the oil terminals | POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants); oil terminals rated up to 12 million tonnes a year |
Berth drafts in public sources differ by date and by who publishes them. Ask for the current permissible draft for your named berth before you fix a breakbulk or bulk vessel.
Cars and Ro-Ro
Chennai built its name as India's leading Ro-Ro car terminal, with 273,917 cars exported in 2009-10. Volumes later fell to under 150,000 cars a year by 2017, as some carmakers moved to Ennore. For a UAE shipper this mostly matters on the import side: Ro-Ro and car carrier calls exist, but they are planned around Indian factory exports, so space for used or special vehicles inbound needs checking case by case.
Breakbulk and project cargo
Steel, machinery and project pieces usually go through Dr. Ambedkar Dock. If your piece is too big for a container, compare a flat rack on a container service with a breakbulk or project vessel. Our guide to flat rack, open top and out-of-gauge cargo explains the trade-off, and our break bulk shipping service covers lifting plans and lashing surveys from the UAE side.
Shipping from Dubai to Chennai: FCL, LCL and reefer
Most cargo from the UAE to Chennai moves in containers from Jebel Ali, sometimes from Khalifa Port or Sharjah. Services can run direct or through a transshipment hub, and carriers change rotations often, so the routing on your booking is what counts, not a general schedule.
| Mode | When it fits | Chennai-specific point |
|---|---|---|
| FCL 20' or 40' | Full loads, factory supplies, trading cargo | Ask which terminal the service calls; rail inland is easier from PSA's on-dock sidings |
| LCL | A few pallets or cartons | Boxes are de-stuffed at a CFS outside the port, so add CFS charges and a day or two to your plan |
| Reefer | Food, chilled goods, pharma | PSA lists 304 reefer points; book plugs and pre-trip checks early |
| Flat rack or open top | Out-of-gauge machinery | Confirm the terminal can lift and store OOG units before you book |
| Breakbulk | Steel, heavy lifts, project cargo | Plan around Dr. Ambedkar Dock berth drafts and monsoon months |
[AMIR-FACT: Our typical port-to-port transit Jebel Ali to Chennai in days and the carriers we usually book on this lane]
On the UAE side, we book the space, collect the cargo by truck, arrange export clearance and lodge the documents. Read more on our sea freight service and on loading at Jebel Ali Port. If you are unsure whether to fill a container, our FCL vs LCL guide has the break-even logic.
How cargo leaves Chennai port: road, rail and CFS
Chennai is a city port. Trucks leave through the port gates into dense urban traffic in north Chennai, which is why road projects around the port matter to your delivery time. The Ennore-Manali road project covers a 30.1 km road network in north Chennai, and an 18.3 km elevated road towards Maduravoyal has long been planned to give trucks a direct route to the highway network.
For inland delivery, you have three practical choices.
- Direct delivery by truck from the terminal to the consignee's door, if the importer is set up for it. Chennai Customs runs a Direct Port Delivery (DPD) portal for this.
- Movement to a container freight station (CFS) near the port for examination, de-stuffing and clearance. This is the normal route for LCL.
- Rail to an inland container depot for consignees far from the coast. PSA Chennai's two on-dock sidings can load two rakes at once, and DP World notes a rail link to the National Capital Region.
Decision rule: if the consignee is within the Chennai or Sriperumbudur industrial belt, road delivery is usually simplest. If the cargo is going to Bengaluru, Hyderabad or further, ask your consignee's customs broker whether clearing at an inland depot saves time.
Customs at Chennai port: a short summary
Indian import rules are the same at every port, so this is a short version. Our existing India port guides go into the full Bill of Entry process.
- The importer needs an Import Export Code (IEC), a 10-digit number issued by DGFT.
- The Bill of Entry is filed on ICEGATE. A prior Bill of Entry is valid only if the vessel arrives within 30 days.
- Supporting documents go up through e-Sanchit as PDF files under 1 MB each.
- The GSTIN and state code must be on the Bill of Entry to claim IGST credit.
- Deferred duty payment is open only to AEO T2 and T3 importers who declare "D" on the Bill of Entry.
What is specific to Chennai is the office: the seaport is handled by the seaport side of Chennai Customs, which publishes its own public notices, facility circulars and a list of working ICDs and CFSs. Ask your consignee's broker to check current Chennai notices for any rule on your commodity, especially for examination at CFS.
On duty, the India-UAE trade agreement (CEPA) has applied since 1 May 2022. Goods that meet the CEPA origin rule can get a lower rate if the importer presents a valid certificate of origin. Goods that only pass through Dubai usually do not qualify. We prepare the export documents in the UAE. We do not file Indian customs entries ourselves; we work with your customs broker or a destination clearing agent.
Dangerous goods through Chennai port
Chennai handles IMDG cargo in containers every day. PSA Chennai says it handles over 18,000 TEU of dangerous goods a year at its terminal alone, and Bharathi Dock takes POL in bulk through its oil terminals. Most DG from the UAE to Chennai is packaged chemicals, paints, resins, lubricants and batteries in FCL.
Three things decide whether a DG box moves smoothly:
- The carrier must accept the UN number and class on that exact service and transshipment port. Acceptance at Jebel Ali does not guarantee acceptance on the onward vessel.
- The documents must match: DG declaration, safety data sheet, container packing certificate and correct marks and labels on the packages and the box.
- The consignee's broker must be ready to clear quickly, as terminals and CFSs may limit how long some classes can stay in the yard.
We plan DG from the UAE side, including classification checks and segregation. See our dangerous goods shipping service and the guide to IMDG segregation in containers.
How to ship from Dubai to Chennai: step by step
- Confirm the HS code with the consignee in Chennai, so they can check duty, CEPA eligibility and any licence before you sell.
- Choose FCL, LCL, flat rack or breakbulk based on volume, weight and dimensions.
- Agree the Incoterm. Under FOB or FCA the buyer's forwarder books the vessel; under CFR or CIF you do. Our Incoterms 2020 guide sets out who pays what.
- We book space to Chennai and confirm which terminal the service uses, plus any transshipment port.
- We arrange trucking to the UAE load port, container stuffing and UAE export clearance.
- Get the certificate of origin from the UAE issuing authority if the buyer will claim CEPA duty.
- Send the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading draft to the consignee's broker so they can file the Bill of Entry before arrival.
- Track the vessel and pass the arrival notice to the consignee. The broker clears the goods at the terminal, a CFS or an inland depot.
- The consignee collects the box and returns the empty within the carrier's free time.
[AMIR-FACT: A real Dubai to Chennai shipment we handled: cargo, mode, terminal and how clearance and delivery went]
How to ship from Chennai to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Chennai to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Indian export papers stay with the shipper or its Indian agent.
The India export side
- Shipping bill. Under Section 50 of the Customs Act, 1962, the exporter makes entry of goods leaving by sea by presenting a shipping bill electronically on the customs automated system, and answers for the accuracy of the data and documents. The shipper or its customs broker in Chennai files it on ICEGATE.
- Exporter details. The exporter needs an IEC, must quote its GSTIN, and registers its bank's AD code online through its ICEGATE profile before the first export.
- Let Export Order. Under Section 51, customs makes an order permitting clearance and loading once it is satisfied the goods are not prohibited and any duty is paid. Only then can the box be loaded at the DP World or PSA terminal.
- CEPA certificate of origin. Since 1 May 2022, DGFT issues the preferential certificate of origin for exports to the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA on its eCoO platform, applied for with a Class III digital signature. The UAE importer needs it to claim the CEPA rate.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes, unless a valid CEPA certificate gives a lower rate. Import VAT is 5% of the customs value including freight and insurance, and a VAT-registered importer can account for it through the reverse charge on its VAT return. The importer needs a Dubai Customs business code, or clears through a licensed clearing agent.
- Send us the shipper's details in Tamil Nadu, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Chennai and tell the shipper which terminal, DP World or PSA, and the cut-offs.
- The shipper or its trucker stuffs the box and delivers it to the terminal inside the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Indian broker files the shipping bill, gets the Let Export Order and, if the goods qualify, the CEPA certificate.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before arrival and arrange payment of the duty and VAT.
- We collect the delivery order, truck the box to your site and return the empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Chennai to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, demurrage and detention at Chennai
Two clocks run once the ship arrives. The terminal or CFS charges for storage after its free days, and the carrier charges demurrage and detention for using its container. Both are set by the terminal, CFS and carrier tariff for your booking, not by a general port rule.
The usual causes of extra days at Chennai are late Bill of Entry filing, an examination order at the CFS, and trucks held up in city traffic on the way back with the empty. Ask for the carrier's free days in writing before you sell, and read our guide to demurrage and detention.
Checklist before you ship to Chennai
- HS code, duty and CEPA eligibility confirmed by the consignee
- Consignee's IEC and GSTIN shown correctly on the invoice
- Terminal (DP World or PSA) known from the booking
- Delivery plan agreed: DPD, CFS or rail to an inland depot
- Certificate of origin requested if CEPA will be claimed
- Weights and package counts identical on invoice, packing list and bill of lading
- For DG: carrier acceptance on every leg, SDS and DG declaration ready
- For breakbulk: current berth draft and lifting plan confirmed
- Monsoon timing considered for open cargo between mid-September and mid-December
Common mistakes on shipments to Chennai
- Quoting delivery to Chennai without checking whether the service calls Chennai, Kattupalli or Ennore. The trucking leg and the clearing office can change.
- Assuming every container can go inland by rail straight from the terminal. Only PSA has on-dock sidings.
- Sending a certificate of origin for goods that do not meet the CEPA origin rule. The importer then pays full duty and may face questions.
- Booking breakbulk to a berth without checking its current permissible draft.
- Leaving the Bill of Entry until the ship arrives, which eats into free time.
- Packing open-air cargo for the northeast monsoon as if it were the dry season.
Chennai or Nhava Sheva: which Indian port fits your cargo?
Pick the port closest to where the cargo is used. Chennai suits consignees in Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh and the Bengaluru area. Nhava Sheva suits Maharashtra and the west, and Mundra suits Gujarat and north India by rail. Shipping to the wrong coast and trucking across India almost always costs more than a slightly higher sea freight to the right port.
Frequently asked questions
What is the port code for Chennai?
The UN/LOCODE for Chennai is INMAA. You will see it on bookings, bills of lading and tracking pages.
How many container terminals does Chennai port have?
Chennai has two container terminals: Chennai Container Terminal, run by DP World since 2001, and Chennai International Terminals, run by PSA since 2009.
How many containers does Chennai port handle?
Chennai handled 1,589,540 TEU and 51.60 million tonnes of cargo in 2023-24. PSA's terminal alone handled about 0.96 million TEU in 2025.
How deep is Chennai port?
Draft depends on the berth. DP World's container berths are 13 m, with CB4 at 15 m, and the terminal worked a ship at 14.9 m draft in 2024. Older general cargo berths in Dr. Ambedkar Dock are shallower.
Is Chennai port the same as Ennore or Kattupalli?
No. Kamarajar Port at Ennore and Adani's Kattupalli port are separate ports north of Chennai city. Check which one your carrier's service calls before you plan trucking or customs.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Chennai?
Yes. Chennai handles IMDG cargo, and PSA's terminal reports over 18,000 TEU of dangerous goods a year. The carrier must accept the UN number on every leg, and the consignee's broker should be ready to clear quickly.
Can I get lower duty on goods shipped from Dubai to Chennai?
Possibly. Under the India-UAE CEPA, in force since 1 May 2022, goods that meet the origin rule can get a lower rate with a valid certificate of origin. Goods only re-exported through Dubai usually do not qualify.
Can you handle shipping from Chennai to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space from Chennai and clear and deliver the cargo in the UAE. The shipper or its Indian broker files the shipping bill on ICEGATE and, for CEPA rates, gets the certificate of origin from DGFT. Dubai charges 5% duty on CIF for most goods and 5% import VAT.
Who clears my cargo at Chennai?
The importer or its licensed customs broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE with Chennai Customs. We prepare the UAE export side and work with the consignee's broker or a destination clearing agent.
Get a quote for Chennai port shipping
Send us your cargo details, volume and the Chennai delivery address, and we will come back with a routing and price from the UAE. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through DG, breakbulk or project cargo first.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chennai Port (history, docks, berths, 2023-24 traffic, Ro-Ro, monsoon, road projects, UN/LOCODE)
- DP World: Chennai Container Terminal infrastructure (berth depths, cranes, area, ground slots, rail)
- DP World: Chennai terminal welcomes its deepest-ever container vessel (May 2024)
- PSA Chennai (CITPL): quay, berths, cranes, RTGs, reefer points, capacity, volumes, DG
- PSA Chennai: Facilities (concession, on-dock rail sidings)
- Adani Ports: Kattupalli Port (berths, draft)
- Chennai Customs: Seaport customs, DPD portal, public notices, ICD/CFS list
- ICEGATE: FAQs (IEC, prior Bill of Entry, e-Sanchit, deferred duty, GSTIN, AD code registration)
- DGFT Trade Notice 05/2022-23: India-UAE CEPA from 1 May 2022, preferential certificates of origin on the eCoO platform
- CBIC: Customs Act, 1962 (Sections 50 and 51, export entry and clearance)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%, business code, licensed clearing agents)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing the customs and paying customs duty
- UAE Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide, import VAT at 5% and reverse charge
Reviewed: 10 November 2026