Mundra port shipping means moving cargo through India's largest commercial port, run by Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. Mundra handles containers, dry and liquid bulk, crude oil, vehicles and project cargo, and links by rail to north and north-west India. This guide covers the terminals, cargo types, Indian customs on ICEGATE and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Mundra, and from Mundra to Dubai.
Mundra port at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), a private port operator |
| Location | Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat, on the northern shore of the Gulf of Kutch |
| UN/LOCODE | INMUN |
| First berth in operation | October 1998 |
| Berths | 29: 27 berths and 2 single point moorings (SPMs) for crude oil |
| Installed capacity | 274 million tonnes a year |
| Cargo handled, FY 2024-25 | 200.7 million tonnes |
| Containers handled, FY 2024-25 | 8.5 million TEU, of which 2.2 million TEU transshipment |
| Container terminals | Four Adani-run terminals (combined 7.5 million TEU), plus DP World's Mundra International Container Terminal (MICT) |
| Rail link | 64 km electrified double-track line from Mundra to Adipur, joining Indian Railways |
| Container rail, FY 2025-26 | 21.34 lakh TEU on 18,206 rakes |
| Liquid storage | 100 tanks, 463,000 kilolitres |
| Ro-Ro | Vehicle terminal since 2009; 229,357 units in FY 2025-26 |
| Free zone | Mundra SEZ, India's first multi-product port-based SEZ, with a Free Trade Warehousing Zone |
| Customs filing | Indian Customs (CBIC), through ICEGATE |
| Shipping Mundra to Dubai | Shipping bill on ICEGATE by the exporter or its broker; import declaration with Dubai Customs, 5% duty and 5% VAT for most goods |
What is Mundra port and who runs it?
Mundra is a private port. APSEZ built it, owns the land and runs most of the terminals. Its first berth started commercial work in October 1998. APSEZ calls it India's largest commercial port and describes it as a deep-draft, all-weather port that can take post-Panamax and capesize ships. In FY 2024-25 it handled 200.7 million tonnes of cargo and 8.5 million TEU of containers.
The port sits next to Mundra SEZ, a multi-product special economic zone notified in 2006, and a Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ). That matters if your consignee is a unit inside the zone, because the paperwork differs from a normal import.
Mundra's main draw is its hinterland. It is closer than Nhava Sheva to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi NCR and Punjab, and it moves a large share of its containers by rail. If your cargo is going north of Mumbai, it is usually the first port to price.
Which container terminals operate at Mundra?
APSEZ lists four container terminals at Mundra with a combined capacity of 7.5 million TEU a year. DP World runs a fifth, MICT, under its own concession. Your carrier's service decides which one your box uses, so check the terminal on the arrival notice before you book transport.
| Terminal | Operator | Published details |
|---|---|---|
| AICTPL, Container Terminal 3 (Adani International Container Terminal) | APSEZ joint venture with MSC, set up in 2013 in the South Basin | Set a monthly record of 302,256 TEU in June 2025 |
| ACMTPL, Container Terminal 4 (Adani CMA Mundra Terminal) | APSEZ joint venture with CMA Terminals (CMA CGM group), agreed in 2017 | 650 m quay, 1.3 million TEU a year |
| T2 terminal | APSEZ | 1.48 million TEU handled in FY 2025-26, up from 1.22 million |
| MICT (Mundra International Container Terminal) | DP World | 632 m berth, 15.5 m alongside, 13.5 m approach channel, 1.535 million TEU full capacity, 324 reefer points, 3 rail sidings inside the terminal |
APSEZ does not publish quay length and capacity for every terminal on its Mundra page, and outside sources count the terminals differently. Treat the operator and terminal on your booking as the reliable reference. DP World notes that its depth figures are amended monthly.
Reefers need a plug at the terminal. If you are shipping chilled or frozen cargo, ask the line which terminal the service uses and whether it has plug space in your sailing week.
What cargo does Mundra handle?
Mundra is a multipurpose port. Here is how APSEZ describes each cargo service and the facilities behind it.
| Cargo type | Facility at Mundra | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Containers (dry and reefer) | Four Adani terminals plus DP World MICT | Terminal on the booking, free time, rail or road slot |
| Bulk and breakbulk: fertiliser, agri, minerals, steel, project cargo | Deep-draft multipurpose berths, mobile harbour cranes, grab unloaders, Goliath cranes with vacuum lifters for steel pipes | Discharge rate, covered or open storage, trucks or rakes |
| Liquid cargo: vegetable oil, chemicals, POL products, bitumen | Four dedicated liquid berths at MPT-1, pipelines to a tank farm of 100 tanks and 463,000 kL | Tank allocation, surveys, tanker loading bays |
| Crude oil | 2 single point moorings | Refinery or buyer arranges the receiving side |
| Vehicles: cars, buses, trucks | Ro-Ro terminal with floating pontoon and link span, buffer yard and washing facility | Vehicle documents and inspections |
| LPG | Gas handling | 1.42 million tonnes in FY 2025-26 |
| Ship-to-ship transfer | STS operations for petroleum products | Vessel approvals |
Storage is large. APSEZ lists covered storage of over 7 lakh tonnes inside the port and 3 lakh tonnes at its Agri Park, plus 4 lakh square metres of open yard for minerals, timber, steel and project cargo. The liquid terminal has 90 loading bays, so road tankers can load several at a time.
Breakbulk and project cargo at Mundra
Steel, machinery, transformers and plant equipment are a natural fit for Mundra's multipurpose berths and open yards. Cargo that fits a container but is too tall or wide goes on flat racks or open tops. Cargo that does not fit a container moves as breakbulk on general cargo or heavy-lift vessels.
When you ship project cargo from Dubai to Mundra with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, dimensions, weights and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose the vessel: a flat rack on a container service from Jebel Ali, or breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage.
- Agree lifting, lashing and securing with the carrier and the receiving terminal.
- Line up the consignee's customs clearance and road permits in Gujarat before arrival.
- Book the trailers so the cargo leaves the quay quickly.
A useful rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service gives you more sailings. If not, the breakbulk sailing date drives the whole plan. Our break bulk and project cargo service covers this work, and our guide to flat rack, open top and out-of-gauge cargo helps you pick equipment. For bulk commodities, see our dry and liquid bulk service.
Shipping from Dubai to Mundra: FCL, LCL and reefer
Most cargo from Dubai to Mundra sails from Jebel Ali in containers. Pick the option by volume, cargo type and where the consignee is.
| Option | Best for | What happens at Mundra |
|---|---|---|
| FCL (20ft or 40ft) | Larger loads, one consignee | Cleared at the port or nearby CFS, then by road, or railed to an inland container depot |
| LCL | A few pallets or cartons | Box goes to a CFS, is unpacked, and each consignee clears its own part |
| Reefer | Chilled and frozen food, some pharma | Needs a terminal plug, fast clearance and food authority checks |
| Flat rack or open top | Machinery, tall or wide pieces | Lifted at the terminal, then moved on low-bed trailers |
| Breakbulk | Pieces too big for any container | Discharged at a multipurpose berth to the open yard |
LCL adds CFS handling at both ends, so the break-even with FCL is often lower than you expect. 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 Mundra in days and the carriers we usually book on this lane]
Rail and road: how cargo leaves Mundra
Mundra's rail link is the reason many importers in north India choose it. A 64 km electrified double-track line runs from Mundra to Adipur, where it joins Indian Railways. APSEZ reports these rail volumes for FY 2025-26:
| Measure | FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Container rail traffic | 21.34 lakh TEU (10.90 lakh import, 10.44 lakh export) |
| Container rakes | 18,206 |
| Double-stack trains | 10,200 trains carrying 5.45 lakh TEU |
| Rail handling at the SRPH yard | 1,694,540 TEU, up from 1,617,436 TEU |
The port page also states capacity for 80 rakes a day, with separate sidings for agri, fertiliser, coal and liquid cargo. By road, Mundra joins the national highway network through State Highway 48 via Anjar and State Highway 6 via Gandhidham.
Here is how to pick the exit route:
| Exit route | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Clear at Mundra, deliver by road | Consignee in Gujarat or within a practical truck distance |
| Rail to an inland container depot (ICD), clear there | Consignee in Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan or other inland states |
| CFS near the port | LCL, cargo likely to be examined, or cargo that needs stuffing or de-stuffing |
| Into Mundra SEZ or FTWZ | Consignee is a unit in the zone or stores goods there before sale |
Decide the route at booking. If the bill of lading shows Mundra as the destination but the consignee wants clearance at an ICD, the line and the broker need to know before arrival.
Customs clearance at Mundra: Bill of Entry, ICEGATE and duty
Imports at Mundra are cleared by Indian Customs under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The rules are national, so the same Customs Act and ICEGATE process apply as at any Indian seaport.
Who can import into India?
Whoever takes delivery at Mundra must hold an Import Export Code (IEC), the 10-digit number DGFT issues. Lodging the Bill of Entry for a Mundra arrival on ICEGATE needs a Class 3 digital signature certificate, and the Bill of Entry carries the importer's GSTIN and state code so the IGST is charged to the right state. We do not file Indian customs entries ourselves; we work with your customs broker or a destination clearing agent.
When must the Bill of Entry be filed?
Under Section 46 of the Customs Act, 1962, the Bill of Entry is filed electronically before the end of the day before the vessel arrives. It can be filed up to 30 days before expected arrival, and ICEGATE notes that a prior Bill of Entry is valid only if the vessel arrives within 30 days. Late filing without good reason attracts a late presentation charge.
Supporting documents go up through ICEGATE's e-Sanchit before the Bill of Entry is submitted. It accepts PDF files only, each under 1 MB, up to 5 at a time, and you cannot delete a document after the IRN is generated.
Which documents does the importer need?
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Shipper in Dubai | Section 46 requires the invoice to support the Bill of Entry |
| Packing list | Shipper | Weights and piece counts must match the bill of lading |
| Bill of lading | Carrier, via us | The Bill of Entry must cover all goods on it |
| Certificate of origin | UAE issuing authority | Needed to claim CEPA preferential duty |
| IEC and GSTIN | Importer in India | Declared on the Bill of Entry |
| Licence, permit or NOC | Importer | Only for restricted goods such as some food, chemicals and telecom equipment |
| MSDS and DG declaration | Shipper | For any dangerous goods |
| Drawings and piece list | Shipper | For breakbulk and project cargo |
How is duty paid?
Duty depends on the HS code under the Indian Customs Tariff, with IGST charged at import on top of customs duty. Check the full duty line for your HS code before you quote a landed price. Under Section 47, a self-assessed importer pays duty on the day the Bill of Entry is presented. Eligible importers can use ICEGATE's deferred payment scheme ("clear first, pay later") by declaring "D" on the Bill of Entry. Payment is made online through ICEGATE.
Does India-UAE CEPA cut duty on cargo from Dubai to Mundra?
It can. The India-UAE trade agreement (CEPA) has applied since 1 May 2022. India's origin rules for it were notified by CBIC as Notification No. 39/2022-Customs (N.T.). To claim the lower rate at Mundra:
- The goods must meet the CEPA origin rule for their HS code. Goods only stored or re-exported through Dubai usually do not qualify.
- The importer submits the certificate of origin with the Bill of Entry and produces the original. Without it, customs may refuse the preference or ask for a guarantee.
- The certificate must be in English, is valid for 12 months from issue and covers one import only.
A practical rule: if the goods were made or substantially processed in the UAE, ask the shipper for a CEPA certificate of origin before sailing. If they were made elsewhere and only pass through Jebel Ali, budget for the normal duty rate.
Dangerous goods and chemicals through Mundra
Mundra's liquid terminal handles chemicals, POL products and bitumen, and its container terminals take IMDG cargo when the line accepts it. For any DG booking from Dubai to Mundra you need:
- The UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- A Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) for each product.
- A Dangerous Goods Declaration signed by a trained person.
- UN-approved packaging, marks and labels, and placards on the container.
- Carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
- Any Indian licence or permit the product needs, held by the importer.
Some terminals add their own rules for certain classes, such as limits on storage time. We confirm these with the line and the terminal for each booking. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the paperwork, and our guide to dangerous goods classes explains the nine classes.
How to ship from Dubai to Mundra: step by step
We handle the UAE side and coordinate with your Indian broker or clearing agent for the India side.
- Share the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, the Incoterm and the consignee's city in India.
- Choose the exit route. Road from Mundra, rail to an ICD, a CFS, or the SEZ or FTWZ.
- Book space from Jebel Ali. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- Check documents before sailing. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and draft bill of lading must show the same consignee, HS codes, weights and piece counts.
- Export from the UAE. We arrange trucking to the terminal and the export or re-export declaration with Dubai Customs. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers this side.
- File in India. The importer's broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE before the vessel arrives and uploads documents on e-Sanchit.
- Pay and release. Duty and IGST are paid on ICEGATE, the line issues the delivery order and the terminal releases the box.
- Deliver and return. The box goes by road, by train to the ICD or to a CFS, and the empty goes back to the depot the line names within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: A real Dubai to Mundra shipment we handled: cargo, mode, and how clearance and delivery went]
How to ship from Mundra port to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Mundra 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 customs broker. As one published example, Emirates Shipping Line's weekly GIA service calls Mundra and then Jebel Ali, and its July 2025 schedule lists 4 days between the two. Schedules change, so we confirm the current service on each booking.
The India export side
- Shipping bill. The exporter, or its customs broker, files it electronically on ICEGATE under Section 50 of the Customs Act, 1962. Customs then makes the order permitting clearance and loading under Section 51.
- IEC. DGFT says an Importer Exporter Code is mandatory for any export from India, and the shipping bill is filed against it.
- CEPA certificate of origin. If the goods qualify under the India-UAE CEPA, the exporter applies for the electronic certificate of origin on DGFT's eCoO platform. Ask for it before the vessel sails if you plan to claim CEPA preference in Dubai.
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to the Mundra terminal named on the booking, by road or by rail from an ICD, before the cut-off.
The UAE import side
For a box loaded at Mundra, we file the import declaration with Dubai Customs before the ship reaches the UAE. The set Dubai Customs asks for is the Indian shipper's commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin (the eCoO certificate if you claim CEPA preference) and a permit from the relevant authority for restricted goods. The carrier releases the container against the bill of lading. Dubai charges customs duty of 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes, plus import VAT of 5%. A VAT-registered importer accounts for the VAT on its return under the reverse charge; anyone else pays it before the goods are released.
Goods that meet the CEPA origin rules can claim the preference only with the CEPA certificate of origin, so it has to reach us with the rest of the document set.
- Send us the shipper's details in Mundra, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Mundra and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker stuffs the container and delivers it to the Mundra terminal named on the booking.
- The shipper or its Indian agent files the export declaration on ICEGATE.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin.
- We file the UAE declaration with Dubai Customs before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the carrier.
- We truck the container to your site and return the empty to the depot the line names within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Mundra to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, demurrage and detention at Mundra
Free days and daily charges are set by each shipping line and terminal, so read them on your quote and arrival notice. Detention runs until the empty is returned, so for boxes railed to an ICD the train leg uses up free time. Three things keep costs down: file the Bill of Entry before arrival, get licences before the vessel berths, and agree the exit route in advance. Ask for extra free time at booking if the consignee is far inland. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to Mundra
- Importer has an active IEC, GSTIN and ICEGATE access, or an authorised broker.
- HS code confirmed and the full duty line checked.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading match on consignee, weights and piece counts.
- CEPA certificate of origin arranged if the goods qualify.
- Licences for restricted goods applied for before sailing.
- Exit route chosen: road, rail to an ICD, CFS, or SEZ or FTWZ.
- Bill of Entry ready to file before arrival, with documents as PDFs under 1 MB.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging and labels, carrier acceptance and any Indian licence.
- For project cargo: drawings, lifting points and a road route plan in Gujarat.
- Free time agreed with the carrier and cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes on shipments to Mundra
- Not telling the line the cargo is for an ICD. The box is discharged for local delivery and has to be re-planned.
- Filing the Bill of Entry after arrival. Late filing adds charges and storage days.
- Oversized document uploads. e-Sanchit rejects anything over 1 MB or not in PDF.
- Claiming CEPA for goods that only passed through Dubai. The importer pays the difference later.
- Missing GSTIN or state code on the Bill of Entry, so IGST credit is lost.
- Treating an SEZ consignee like a normal import. Zone deliveries follow different paperwork.
- Treating DG as general cargo. Undeclared DG is refused or held.
Mundra or Nhava Sheva: which port fits your cargo?
Most shippers from Dubai choose between Mundra and Nhava Sheva near Mumbai. Use this as a first filter:
| Your consignee or cargo | Port to consider first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi NCR, Punjab, Haryana | Mundra | Rail and road links to the north-west |
| Mumbai, Pune, Maharashtra, Goa | Nhava Sheva | Short road haul |
| Bulk, liquid, crude or vehicles | Mundra | Dedicated bulk, liquid, SPM and Ro-Ro facilities |
| Central India via ICD | Either | Compare rail time and ICD charges |
We can price both ports to your door so you compare the full landed cost, not just ocean freight.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates Mundra port?
Mundra is run by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), a private operator. DP World runs one container terminal there, Mundra International Container Terminal (MICT), and MSC and CMA CGM are partners in two Adani container terminals.
How big is Mundra port?
Mundra has 29 berths, including 2 single point moorings, and an installed capacity of 274 million tonnes a year. It handled 200.7 million tonnes of cargo and 8.5 million TEU of containers in FY 2024-25.
What is the port code for Mundra?
The UN/LOCODE for Mundra is INMUN. You will see it on bookings, bills of lading and tracking systems.
How many container terminals are at Mundra?
APSEZ lists four container terminals with a combined capacity of 7.5 million TEU a year. DP World's MICT, with 1.535 million TEU full capacity, operates alongside them.
Is Mundra better than Nhava Sheva for north India?
Often, yes. Mundra has a 64 km electrified double-track rail link to Indian Railways and moved 21.34 lakh TEU by rail in FY 2025-26. For Mumbai and Maharashtra, Nhava Sheva is usually closer.
When should the Bill of Entry be filed for cargo arriving at Mundra?
File it before the end of the day before the ship reaches Mundra, as Section 46 of the Customs Act requires. The earliest you can file is 30 days before expected arrival.
Can I get lower duty on goods shipped from Dubai to Mundra?
Only if the goods meet the India-UAE CEPA origin rule for their HS code and the importer presents the original certificate of origin with the Bill of Entry. Goods that only pass through Dubai usually do not qualify.
Can Mundra handle project cargo and vehicles?
Yes. Mundra has multipurpose berths and open yards for steel and project cargo, and a Ro-Ro terminal that handled 229,357 vehicles in FY 2025-26.
Can you ship from Mundra to Dubai?
Yes. The exporter or its customs broker files the shipping bill on ICEGATE. We book the space, file the Dubai Customs declaration, arrange payment of the 5% duty and 5% import VAT where due, and deliver from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah. For a CEPA claim, the exporter gets the certificate of origin on DGFT's eCoO platform before sailing.
Get a quote for Mundra port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and price from Dubai to Mundra, including the exit route that suits your consignee. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, bulk or project shipment first.
Sources
- APSEZ: Mundra Port (terminals, cargo services, storage, rail and road connectivity)
- APSEZ: Operational performance, ports 2026 (berths, capacity, rail, Ro-Ro, LPG, T2)
- APSEZ Annual Report 2025: Ports (FY 2024-25 cargo, TEU, transshipment, AICTPL)
- Adani: JV with CMA CGM for Container Terminal 4 at Mundra (2017)
- The Loadstar: Adani Ports and MSC JV for AICTPL (2013)
- DP World: Mundra terminal infrastructure (MICT)
- CBIC: Customs Act, 1962 (Sections 46 and 47)
- ICEGATE: FAQs (IEC, prior Bill of Entry, e-Sanchit, deferred duty, GSTIN)
- DGFT Trade Notice 05/2022-23: India-UAE CEPA from 1 May 2022
- Text of CBIC Notification 39/2022-Customs (N.T.): CEPA origin rules
- Wikipedia: Mundra Port (location, opening, SEZ, FTWZ)
- iContainers: Port of Mundra (UN/LOCODE INMUN)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF in Dubai, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%; GCC-origin goods and the 40% test)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT Taxable Person Guide, chapter 9 Import of goods (5% rate, reverse charge, payment before release)
- DGFT: Foreign Trade Policy 2023, chapter 2 (IEC mandatory for exports)
- Emirates Shipping Line: GIA service advisory and schedule, July 2025 (rotation and transit days)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026