Kandla port shipping means moving cargo through Deendayal Port, the government-owned major port at Kandla on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. It is India's largest port by cargo volume, built around bulk, liquids and breakbulk, with a smaller container trade through one private terminal and a large new container terminal under construction at Tuna Tekra. This guide covers the berths, storage, free days, the oil terminal at Vadinar, customs and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both from Dubai to Kandla and from Kandla to Dubai.
Kandla port at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Deendayal Port, run by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA). Formerly Kandla Port |
| Location | Kandla Creek, Kutch district, Gujarat, near Gandhidham, about 430 nautical miles north-northwest of Mumbai |
| UN/LOCODE | INIXY |
| Port type | Major port under the Government of India, with private terminal operators |
| Cargo handled, FY 2025-26 | Over 150 million tonnes |
| Draft | 13 m at Deendayal (Kandla), 33 m at the Vadinar oil terminal |
| Land and waterfront | 2,175 acres of dry land, 10 km of waterfront |
| Container terminal today | Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT), berths 11 and 12, run by the J M Baxi group |
| Container terminal coming | Tuna Tekra, DP World, 2.19 million TEU a year, completion planned for 2027 |
| Wharf cranes | 12 (2 of 12 t, 4 of 16 t, 6 of 25 t) |
| Mobile harbour cranes | 2 of 63 t and 2 of 120 t |
| Free storage | 15 days exports, 5 days most imports, 8 days timber logs, 3 days hazardous cargo |
| Free zone next door | Kandla SEZ (KASEZ), 1,000 acres, about 9 km from the port |
| Customs filing | Indian Customs (CBIC) through ICEGATE |
| Kandla to Dubai | Shipper or its Indian agent files the shipping bill; arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, 5% UAE duty on CIF for most goods plus 5% VAT |
What is Kandla port and why is it called Deendayal?
Kandla and Deendayal are the same port. It was renamed Deendayal Port in 2017, but shipping lines, bills of lading and most people still say "Kandla", and its code is still INIXY. If your buyer writes "Kandla" or "Deendayal" on the order, it is the same place.
The port's story starts with an RCC jetty built in 1931. After 1947 it was developed in the 1950s as the main seaport for western India. DPA says it was India's number one port from 2007-08 for 14 years in a row, became the first major port to handle 100 million tonnes in a year on 31 March 2016, and passed 150 million tonnes in 2025-26.
Unlike Jebel Ali Port or Nhava Sheva, Kandla is not mainly a container port. Most of its tonnage is liquid and dry bulk: crude, petroleum products, LPG, edible oil, chemicals, salt, timber and bagged cargo. That shapes how you plan a shipment. A bulk or breakbulk cargo from the UAE fits Kandla well. A few pallets in LCL may move faster through a container-heavy port.
Kandla port facilities: berths, cranes and the creek
The port sits inside Kandla Creek, so the harbour is sheltered and DPA describes it as an all-weather port that works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The working draft at the Kandla berths is 13 m. DPA's own development plans mention deepening the channel to take ships of up to 14 m draft, so treat larger tonnage as a case-by-case question for the line and the harbour master.
Cargo is worked at the cargo jetty berths along the creek and at a row of oil jetties for liquids. DPA lists this equipment for dry cargo:
| Equipment | Number and size | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Electric level-luffing wharf cranes | 12: two of 12 t, four of 16 t, six of 25 t | Bagged and bulk cargo, light lifts |
| Mobile harbour cranes | 2 of 63 t (41 m radius), 2 of 120 t (51 m radius) | Heavier breakbulk and project pieces, if the ship's gear is not used |
| Weighbridges | 17 inside the port, plus 5 more of 100 t | Truck weights recorded at the gate |
| Support equipment | Forklifts, tractors, trailers and pay-loaders; private mobile cranes, top lifters and heavy trailers on hire | Heavy-lift moves are often a mix of port and hired gear |
A planning rule: if a single piece is heavier than the port's mobile cranes can lift at the radius you need, you need a geared heavy-lift ship or hired cranes. Send us the weight and dimensions early so we can check this before you sign the sales contract.
Container shipping at Kandla: KICT today, Tuna Tekra next
Kandla's container trade runs through one terminal today, with a much larger one under construction.
Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT)
KICT is run by the J M Baxi group on berths 11 and 12. DPA and the group signed the concession in 2017. The operator lists these facilities:
| Item | KICT |
|---|---|
| Berths and quay | Berths 11 and 12, 542 m quay |
| Quay cranes | 5 rail-mounted quay cranes |
| Yard equipment | 8 RTGs, 4 reach stackers, 32 internal transfer vehicles |
| Container yard | 138,265 sq m |
| Reefer plugs | 110 |
| Rail | 840 m siding, one rail line |
Maritime Gateway reported that KICT handled 4.89 lakh TEU in FY23, up from 1.17 lakh TEU in FY18, and that double-stack trains run to inland container depots at Gurgaon, Ludhiana and Ahmedabad. Reefer space is limited to 110 plugs, so book chilled and frozen boxes well ahead.
Tuna Tekra mega container terminal
DP World is building a new container terminal at Tuna Tekra, near the existing port, under a 30-year build-operate-transfer concession with DPA. DP World's published figures are a capacity of 2.19 million TEU a year, a 1,100 m berth that can be extended to 1,375 m, room for ships of over 18,000 TEU and an investment of about USD 510 million. DP World said in August 2023 that the terminal would be complete in 2027.
Until it opens, do not plan on Tuna Tekra. Your container still goes through KICT or a nearby port. Ask us for an update when you plan cargo for 2027 or later.
What cargo does Kandla handle best?
Kandla's strengths are bulk, liquids and breakbulk. Here is how that maps to cargo you might send from the UAE.
| Cargo | Kandla facility | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Edible oil, chemicals, petroleum products | Oil jetties and tank farms: 1,057 tanks in private storage terminals plus 100 public sector and co-operative tanks | Tank allocation, surveys, pipeline or tanker delivery |
| LPG | LPG storage of about 30,000 cubic metres | Terminal acceptance before the vessel is fixed |
| Dry bulk and bagged cargo, such as salt | Wharf cranes, large open and covered storage | Discharge rate, storage inside or outside the customs area |
| Timber logs | Cargo berths and open yards; DPA has issued a circular on safe handling of logs at berths | 8 free days, then storage charges |
| Steel, machinery, project cargo | Mobile harbour cranes up to 120 t, open yards | Lifting plan, trailers, road permits |
| Containers (dry and reefer) | KICT, 110 reefer plugs | Terminal on booking, rail or road out |
| Crude oil | Single buoy moorings at Vadinar | Arranged by the refinery or buyer |
For bulk and liquid cargo our dry and liquid bulk shipping team handles vessel and parcel planning. For steel, plant and oversized pieces, our break bulk and project cargo service covers lifting, lashing and surveys.
Storage and free days at Kandla port
Storage is one of Kandla's big advantages. DPA publishes a large storage base inside and outside the customs bonded area:
| Storage | Units | Area | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godowns inside the customs bonded area | 25 | 2.21 lakh sq m | 9.22 lakh tonnes |
| Open areas inside the customs bonded area | 106 | 33 lakh sq m | 77 lakh tonnes |
| Godowns outside the customs bonded area | 80 | 7.39 lakh sq m | 29.56 lakh tonnes |
| Open storage outside the customs bonded area | - | 12.20 lakh sq m | 22 lakh tonnes |
DPA's free storage periods are short for imports, so plan clearance before the ship arrives:
- Export cargo: 15 days free.
- Timber log imports: 8 days free.
- Other import cargo: 5 days free.
- Hazardous cargo, import or export: 3 days free.
These are port storage days. They are separate from the shipping line's free days on a container, which are set by the line and appear on your quote. Our guide to demurrage and detention explains how both kinds of charges build up.
Vadinar: Kandla's offshore oil terminal
Deendayal Port also runs an offshore oil terminal at Vadinar, on the southern side of the Gulf of Kutch, about 60 nautical miles from the gulf's mouth. It is a separate site from Kandla Creek. Vadinar handles crude for refineries at Koyali in Gujarat, Mathura, Panipat and the Nayara Energy refinery near Vadinar.
| Facility at Vadinar | Limits published by DPA |
|---|---|
| Single buoy moorings (3) | Draft up to 33 m, ships up to 350 m LOA and 350,000 DWT |
| Product jetties (2) | Draft up to 20 m, ships up to 245 m LOA and 100,000 DWT |
| Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo jetty | Used for project cargo, construction material and spares for the refinery |
Most shippers from Dubai will never use Vadinar. It matters if you supply equipment or spares to the refinery there, because that cargo may be landed at Vadinar rather than Kandla.
Kandla SEZ, rail and road: getting cargo inland
Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) is next to the port at Gandhidham. The zone says it was Asia's first export processing zone, covers 1,000 acres and is about 9 km from Kandla Port and about 60 km from Mundra. If your consignee is a unit in KASEZ, the paperwork differs from a normal home-consumption import, so ask them which entry they will file before you ship.
KICT has its own rail siding, and double-stack container trains link the terminal to inland depots in north and north-west India. Maritime Gateway reported a double-stack rake reaching Dadri in 36 hours. For bulk and breakbulk, most cargo leaves by truck through Gandhidham.
A simple rule for choosing between Kandla and nearby Mundra: for bulk, liquids and breakbulk going to Kutch, Saurashtra or Rajasthan, price Kandla first. For regular container flows needing many weekly sailings, price Mundra as well and compare the landed cost.
Shipping from Dubai to Kandla: FCL, LCL, bulk and breakbulk
Most container cargo for Kandla sails from Jebel Ali. Bulk and breakbulk can load at other UAE ports depending on the cargo and the vessel.
| Option | Best for | What happens at Kandla |
|---|---|---|
| FCL (20ft or 40ft) | One consignee, full loads | Discharged at KICT, cleared, then trucked or railed inland |
| LCL | A few pallets or cartons | Fewer direct options than at container-heavy ports; we check routing per shipment |
| Reefer | Chilled or frozen food | Needs one of KICT's 110 plugs and fast food-safety clearance |
| Flat rack or open top | Machinery, tall or wide pieces | Lifted at KICT, moved out on low-bed trailers |
| Breakbulk or project | Pieces that do not fit a container | Discharged at the cargo jetty with ship's gear or mobile harbour cranes |
| Bulk or liquid parcels | Salt, chemicals, edible oil | Discharged to port storage or tank farms |
If you are torn between a full and a shared container, our FCL vs LCL cost guide walks through the maths. We book space with the carrier, prepare the documents and arrange trucking and export clearance in the UAE through our sea freight service.
[AMIR-FACT: Our typical port-to-port transit Jebel Ali to Kandla in days, the carriers we usually book on this lane, and whether we route LCL direct or via another Indian port]
Customs clearance at Kandla port: a short summary
Kandla uses the same national customs rules as every Indian seaport. Our Nhava Sheva and Mundra guides cover them in full. In short:
- The importer needs an Import Export Code (IEC), the 10-digit number issued by DGFT, and must declare its GSTIN and state code on the Bill of Entry.
- The Bill of Entry is filed on ICEGATE. Under Section 46 of the Customs Act, 1962, it must be presented before the end of the day before the vessel arrives. A prior Bill of Entry is valid if the vessel arrives within 30 days.
- Supporting documents go up through e-Sanchit as PDF files under 1 MB each.
- Duty and IGST depend on the HS code. Goods that meet the India-UAE CEPA origin rules, in force since 1 May 2022, can claim a lower rate with a valid certificate of origin.
What is specific to Kandla is the clock. With only 5 free days for most imports and 3 for hazardous cargo, a Bill of Entry filed late at Kandla costs storage money quickly. We work with your customs broker or a destination clearing agent. We do not file Indian customs entries ourselves.
Documents your Kandla consignee will ask for
| Document | Who provides it | Kandla note |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Shipper in the UAE | Bulk cargo needs weight terms (draft survey or shore tank) agreed in the contract |
| Bill of lading | Carrier, via us | Charter party bills for bulk; line bills for containers |
| Certificate of origin | UAE issuing authority | Needed for a CEPA claim |
| Quality and quantity certificates | Surveyor | Common for edible oil and chemicals |
| Phytosanitary certificate and fumigation | Shipper | Timber, grain and other plant products |
| SDS and DG declaration | Shipper | Any hazardous cargo |
| Drawings and piece list | Shipper | Breakbulk and project cargo |
Dangerous goods through Kandla
Kandla handles hazardous liquids such as LPG, chemicals and petroleum products at its oil jetties and tank farms. Three rules shape a DG shipment there:
- Hazardous cargo gets only 3 free days in port storage, import or export. Clear it fast or plan direct delivery.
- Liquid DG in bulk needs the receiving tank terminal to accept the product before the ship is fixed.
- Containerised DG needs carrier acceptance and the full set of papers: UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, SDS, signed DG declaration and UN-approved packaging.
The Indian importer must also hold any licence the product needs. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks classification and carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
How to ship from Dubai to Kandla: step by step
We handle the UAE side and coordinate with your buyer's broker in India.
- Share the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or tonnage, Incoterm and where in India the goods are going.
- Pick the mode. Container through KICT, breakbulk, or a bulk or liquid parcel.
- Check the port fit. For heavy pieces we confirm crane capacity at the berth; for liquids, tank space; for reefers, plug availability.
- Book space. From Jebel Ali for containers, or the most suitable UAE port for bulk and breakbulk. DG and out-of-gauge cargo need carrier acceptance first.
- Match the documents. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and draft bill of lading must agree.
- Export from the UAE. We arrange trucking and the export or re-export declaration in Dubai.
- File in India. The importer's broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE before arrival.
- Release and deliver. Duty and IGST are paid, the delivery order is issued and the cargo leaves within the free days.
[AMIR-FACT: A real shipment we handled from the UAE to Kandla: cargo type, mode, and how discharge and clearance went]
How to ship from Kandla to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Kandla 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 filing stays with the shipper or its Indian agent.
The India export side
- Shipping bill. Under Section 50 of the Customs Act, 1962, the exporter enters the goods by presenting a shipping bill electronically on the customs automated system, ICEGATE. The shipper files it itself or through its customs broker.
- Let export order. Under Section 51, customs permits clearance and loading once it is satisfied the goods are not prohibited and any export duty is paid. The order can be given electronically on a risk basis.
- Certificate of origin. Since 1 May 2022, the preferential certificate of origin for exports to the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA is issued on DGFT's eCoO platform. It supports a claim for CEPA preferential duty at Dubai Customs, so ask the shipper early whether the goods qualify.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and any permit from the authority that controls restricted goods. The carrier then releases the cargo against the bill of lading with a delivery order. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, charged on the customs value including freight, insurance and customs fees. A VAT-registered importer that meets the Federal Tax Authority conditions accounts for it on its VAT return instead of paying at the border.
- Send us the shipper's details in Kandla, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Kandla to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker delivers the container to KICT, or the cargo to the berth or storage area named by the carrier, before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Indian agent files the shipping bill on ICEGATE before the cut-off.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before it is issued.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives, so clearance can start when it berths.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the carrier.
- We truck the cargo to your site and return the empty container inside the free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Kandla to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah (direct or via another Indian port), and our real port-to-port transit days in this direction]
Checklist before you ship to Kandla
- Buyer has an active IEC, GSTIN and a customs broker at Kandla.
- HS code and duty line checked; CEPA certificate arranged if the goods qualify.
- Mode chosen: container, breakbulk, bulk or liquid parcel.
- Crane, tank or reefer plug capacity confirmed for your cargo.
- Bill of Entry ready to file before the vessel arrives.
- Storage plan set for the 5, 8 or 3 free days that apply.
- KASEZ consignee? Correct zone entry agreed in advance.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging, carrier acceptance and Indian licence.
Common mistakes on shipments to Kandla
- Treating Kandla like a container hub and expecting many weekly LCL options.
- Forgetting that import free storage is only 5 days, and 3 for hazardous cargo.
- Booking a heavy piece without checking crane capacity at the berth.
- Confusing Kandla Creek with Vadinar, which is a separate oil terminal across the gulf.
- Planning cargo on the Tuna Tekra terminal before it is open.
- Claiming CEPA duty for goods that only passed through Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kandla port the same as Deendayal Port?
Yes. Kandla Port was renamed Deendayal Port in 2017. It is run by the Deendayal Port Authority, and its UN/LOCODE is still INIXY.
What is the draft at Kandla port?
The Deendayal Port Authority gives 13 m draft at Kandla and 33 m at the Vadinar oil terminal. Check your vessel's draft with the line before fixing a large ship.
Does Kandla port handle containers?
Yes. Kandla International Container Terminal, run by the J M Baxi group on berths 11 and 12, handles containers and has 110 reefer plugs and an 840 m rail siding. DP World's Tuna Tekra terminal is under construction.
When will the Tuna Tekra container terminal open?
DP World said in August 2023 that the 2.19 million TEU terminal would be complete in 2027. Check the latest status before planning cargo on it.
How many free storage days does Kandla port give?
The Deendayal Port Authority lists 15 free days for exports, 8 for timber log imports, 5 for other imports and 3 for hazardous cargo in either direction.
How far is Kandla SEZ from the port?
Kandla SEZ says it is about 9 km from Kandla Port and about 60 km from Mundra. It covers 1,000 acres at Gandhidham.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Kandla?
Yes, with a full DG declaration, SDS, approved packaging and carrier acceptance. Plan quick clearance, because hazardous cargo has only 3 free storage days at the port.
What is Vadinar and is it part of Kandla port?
Vadinar is Deendayal Port's offshore oil terminal on the southern side of the Gulf of Kutch. It has three single buoy moorings and two product jetties for crude and refinery products.
How do I ship from Dubai to Kandla?
Send us the cargo, HS code and the consignee's details. We book a carrier that calls KICT or the right cargo berth, handle UAE trucking, export clearance and the bill of lading, and the consignee's customs broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE before arrival.
How do I ship from Kandla to Dubai?
The shipper or its Indian agent files the shipping bill on ICEGATE and delivers the cargo before the cut-off. We book the space, file the Dubai Customs declaration before arrival, arrange payment of the 5% duty and 5% VAT, and deliver to your site.
Get a quote for Kandla port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and a price from the UAE to Kandla. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a bulk, breakbulk or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Deendayal Port Authority: Brief history (1931 jetty, 100 MMT in 2016, 150+ MMT in 2025-26, location)
- Deendayal Port Authority: What we offer (13 m and 33 m draft, 2,175 acres, 10 km waterfront, LPG storage)
- Deendayal Port Authority: Equipment (wharf cranes, mobile harbour cranes, weighbridges)
- Deendayal Port Authority: Storage facilities (godowns, open areas, liquid tanks)
- Deendayal Port Authority: Port advantages (free storage periods, all-weather operation)
- Deendayal Port Authority: Offshore Oil Terminal, Vadinar
- Deendayal Port Authority: Location and logistics (Vadinar navigation limits)
- Deendayal Port Authority: Future developments (channel deepening plans)
- Deendayal Port Authority: Special achievements (Tuna Tekra award to DP World)
- J M Baxi: Kandla Container Terminal (berths, quay, cranes, reefer plugs, rail siding)
- Maritime Gateway: The North Star, KICT volumes and rail links (January 2025)
- DP World: USD 510 million Tuna Tekra mega container terminal (August 2023)
- Kandla SEZ: Welcome to KASEZ (area, distance from ports)
- ICEGATE: FAQs (IEC, prior Bill of Entry, e-Sanchit, GSTIN)
- CBIC: Customs Act, 1962 (Section 46)
- DGFT Trade Notice 05/2022-23: India-UAE CEPA from 1 May 2022
- Wikipedia: Kandla Port (renaming in 2017, layout)
- Cogoport: Port of Kandla (UN/LOCODE INIXY)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (5% of CIF value, alcohol and cigarettes)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing customs and paying customs duty (5% of CIF in Dubai)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide, section 3.5 on import VAT (5%, customs value, registered importers)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026