Nhava Sheva port shipping means moving cargo through Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA) near Mumbai, India's busiest container gateway. It has five container terminals, its own customs house and direct rail links to inland container depots. This guide covers the terminals, cargo types, customs filing on ICEGATE, dangerous goods rules and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both from Dubai to Nhava Sheva and from Nhava Sheva to Dubai.
Nhava Sheva port at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), also called JNPT or Nhava Sheva |
| Location | Navi Mumbai, Raigad district, Maharashtra, on the eastern side of Mumbai harbour |
| UN/LOCODE | INNSA |
| Commissioned | 26 May 1989 |
| Port model | India's first 100% landlord major port: private operators run the terminals |
| Container terminals | Five: NSFT, NSICT, GTI, BMCT and NSIGT |
| Containers handled, FY 2025-26 | 8,173,276 TEU, up 11.94% on FY 2024-25 (7,301,509 TEU) |
| Total cargo, FY 2025-26 | 102.01 million tonnes |
| Share of India's major-port container cargo | Around 50% |
| Main channel | Dredged to 15 m, allowing ships of up to 12,500 TEU |
| Maximum vessel length at container terminals | 370 m LOA |
| Customs | Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH), under CBIC |
| Customs filing system | ICEGATE (Bill of Entry, e-Sanchit document upload, e-payment) |
| Direct Port Delivery share, FY 2023-24 | 72.66% of import containers |
| Port-based SEZ | Multi-product SEZ on 277 hectares |
| Nhava Sheva to Dubai | Shipping bill filed by the exporter or its broker; CEPA certificate of origin from DGFT for preferential UAE duty |
What is Nhava Sheva port and who runs it?
Nhava Sheva and Jawaharlal Nehru Port are the same place. Shipping lines and bills of lading use "Nhava Sheva" and the code INNSA. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) owns the land and the channel and leases each terminal to a private operator. That is why your arrival notice names an operator such as DP World, APM Terminals or PSA, not JNPA.
JNPA says it handles around half of the containerised cargo across India's major ports and is linked to over 200 ports worldwide. It is a separate port from Mumbai Port on the other side of the harbour. If your consignee says "Mumbai" for a container, they almost always mean Nhava Sheva.
Which container terminals operate at Nhava Sheva?
Your carrier's service decides the terminal. The terminal decides where the box is discharged, which reefer plugs it uses and where your truck or train collects it. These are JNPA's published figures for each terminal.
| Terminal | Operator | Quay length | Draft | Design capacity | Reefer points | Handled FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSFT (Nhava Sheva Free Port Terminal) | JV of J. M. Baxi and CMA Terminals | 680 m | 15 m | 1.8 million TEU | 576 | 837,121 TEU |
| NSICT (Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal) | DP World | 600 m | 15 m | 1.2 million TEU | 772 | 1,303,384 TEU |
| GTI (Gateway Terminals India) | JV of APM Terminals and CONCOR | 712 m | 15 m | 1.8 million TEU | 840 | 2,232,493 TEU |
| BMCT (Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals) | PSA subsidiary | 1,000 m (phase 1), 2,000 m final | 16.5 m | 2.4 million TEU (phase 1), 4.8 million final | 1,620 | 2,686,974 TEU |
| NSIGT (Nhava Sheva India Gateway Terminal) | DP World | 330 m | 15 m | 0.8 million TEU | 336 | 1,083,951 TEU |
NSFT took over the original port-run terminal (JNPCT) and started operations on 11 February 2023. BMCT is the largest by volume and has the deepest draft. Check the terminal on the arrival notice before you book transport.
What cargo moves through Nhava Sheva besides containers?
Nhava Sheva is a container port first, but it also runs liquid, dry bulk and breakbulk berths. Breakbulk more than doubled in FY 2025-26.
| Cargo type | Facility | FY 2024-25 | FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid bulk | Liquid terminal run by a BPCL-IOCL consortium; second liquid terminal by JSW-JNPT Liquid Terminal | 5,851,648 t | 6,452,324 t |
| Cement and other dry bulk | Shallow water and multipurpose berths | 1,802,117 t | 1,960,772 t |
| Breakbulk | Shallow water berth run by NSDT, general cargo berths | 493,412 t | 1,131,852 t (up 129.39%) |
For steel and machinery, a decision rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service from Jebel Ali gives you more sailings. If it does not, the sailing date of a breakbulk vessel drives the plan. Our break bulk and project cargo service covers lifting, lashing and surveys.
Shipping from Dubai to Nhava Sheva: FCL, LCL and reefer
Most cargo from Dubai to Nhava Sheva sails from Jebel Ali in containers.
| Option | Best for | What happens at Nhava Sheva |
|---|---|---|
| FCL (20ft or 40ft) | Larger loads, one consignee | Box can go straight to the importer under Direct Port Delivery, or to a CFS |
| 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 plug at the terminal, then 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 |
LCL adds CFS charges 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 Nhava Sheva in days and the carriers we usually book on this lane]
Direct Port Delivery, CFS or rail: how your container leaves the port
An import container can leave Nhava Sheva in three ways. Choosing the right one is the biggest decision after the booking.
| Route out of port | How it works | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Port Delivery (DPD) | Importer clears the box and takes it from the terminal straight to its premises | FCL, regular importers with documents ready before arrival |
| Container Freight Station (CFS) | Box moves to a customs-approved CFS for examination, clearance and, for LCL, unpacking | LCL, cargo likely to be examined, first-time importers |
| Rail to an inland container depot (ICD) | Box is railed under customs transit and cleared at the ICD | Consignees inland, for example in northern or central India |
DPD is now the main route. JNPA reports DPD clearance of 72.66% in FY 2023-24, removed the old 300 TEU minimum, and puts the saving at Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 per container compared with a CFS. The JNCH website lists 33 approved CFS facilities around the port.
JNPA moved 1,152,381 TEU by rail to ICDs in FY 2025-26. The port is the western end of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, and BMCT's ICD yard can work four DFC rakes at once. RFID gates cut gate time from 10 minutes to 1 minute, and delivery orders are issued electronically through the Port Community System.
Customs clearance at Nhava Sheva: Bill of Entry, ICEGATE and duty
Imports are cleared by Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH) at Nhava Sheva, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Everything runs through ICEGATE.
Who can import into India?
To clear a container at Nhava Sheva, the importer needs the 10-digit Import Export Code (IEC) that DGFT issues. The Bill of Entry is lodged on ICEGATE with a Class 3 digital signature certificate, and it shows the importer's GSTIN and state code, which decide where the IGST goes. 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, and can be filed up to 30 days before expected arrival. ICEGATE notes 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 e-Sanchit first. It accepts PDF files only, each under 1 MB.
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 |
How is duty paid?
Duty depends on the HS code under the Indian Customs Tariff, with IGST charged at import on top. Check the full duty line before you quote a landed price. Under Section 47, a self-assessed importer pays on the day the Bill of Entry is presented. Eligible importers can use ICEGATE's deferred payment scheme by declaring "D" on the Bill of Entry.
Does India-UAE CEPA cut duty on cargo from Dubai?
It can. The India-UAE trade agreement (CEPA) has applied since 1 May 2022, with origin rules notified by CBIC as Notification No. 39/2022-Customs (N.T.). To claim the lower rate at Nhava Sheva:
- 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.
Dangerous goods at Nhava Sheva: port and customs rules
Nhava Sheva handles IMDG dangerous goods, and some classes have strict local rules.
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 notice | Cargo owner notifies the Deputy Conservator or Harbour Master at least 48 hours before loading or unloading | JNPA SOP for explosives |
| Class 1 imports | Unloaded with priority, not kept inside the port, removed as a top priority | JNPA SOP |
| Class 1 exports | 20ft containers only, on a licensed fixed-chassis truck, loaded directly as last cargo | JNPA SOP |
| Class 1 paperwork | Copies of the PESO licence, MSDS, invoice, customs clearance and DG declaration to the marine department | JNPA SOP |
| Class 5, 8 and 9 exports | ISO certificate if available, cargo analysis report and MSDS; examined at a CFS authorised for hazardous cargo | JNCH Public Notice 46/2017 |
| Other DG classes, exports | Containers picked for examination are scanned instead of opened | JNCH Public Notice 46/2017 |
For any DG booking you need the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, an SDS, a signed DG declaration and UN-approved packaging. The carrier must accept the booking, and the Indian importer must hold any licence the product needs. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks this before you commit to a sailing, and our guide to dangerous goods classes explains the nine classes.
How to ship from Dubai to Nhava Sheva: 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, the Incoterm and the consignee's city.
- Choose the exit route. DPD, CFS or rail to an ICD.
- Book space from Jebel Ali. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- Check documents. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and draft bill of lading must match.
- Export from the UAE. We arrange trucking and the Dubai Customs export or re-export declaration, as set out in our Jebel Ali port guide.
- File in India. The importer's broker files the Bill of Entry on ICEGATE before arrival.
- Pay and release. Duty and IGST are paid, the line issues the delivery order and the terminal releases the box.
- Deliver and return. The box goes to the importer, CFS or ICD train, and the empty goes back within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: A real Dubai to Nhava Sheva shipment we handled: cargo, mode, and how clearance and delivery went]
How to ship from Nhava Sheva to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Nhava Sheva to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space and run the UAE side. The Indian export papers stay with the shipper or its Indian agent.
The India export side
- Under section 50 of the Customs Act, 1962, the exporter files a shipping bill electronically on the customs automated system for goods leaving by sea, and declares that its contents are true.
- The exporter answers for the accuracy of the shipping bill, the validity of the supporting documents and any export restriction on the goods. Many exporters file through a customs broker on ICEGATE, quoting their GSTIN.
- For the CEPA rate in the UAE, the exporter applies for a preferential certificate of origin on DGFT's eCoO platform. It has issued certificates under the India-UAE CEPA since 1 May 2022, and the applicant needs its IEC details and a Class III digital signature.
- The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to the JNPA terminal or CFS named in the booking before the cut-off.
The UAE import side
When the container from Nhava Sheva arrives, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the Indian exporter's commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin (from DGFT's eCoO platform for a CEPA claim) and any permit for restricted goods. For sea cargo the GCC customs guide adds the bill of lading and the delivery order. Dubai charges customs duty of 5% of the CIF value on most goods, 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes, and import VAT of 5%. If you are VAT-registered you account for the VAT on your return; if not, you pay it before Customs releases the goods.
The UAE-India CEPA has been in force since 1 May 2022. With a valid CEPA certificate of origin, goods that qualify can clear at a preferential UAE duty rate instead of 5%, so check the HS code against the agreement before you price.
- Send us the shipper's details in India, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Nhava Sheva and send the booking and cut-off to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker stuffs the box and delivers it to the terminal or CFS.
- The shipper or its customs broker files the shipping bill and, if needed, the CEPA certificate of origin.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Nhava Sheva to Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, demurrage and detention at Nhava Sheva
Free days and daily charges are set by each line and terminal, so read them on your quote and arrival notice. File the Bill of Entry before arrival, get licences before the vessel berths, and fix the exit route in advance so the box is not moved twice. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to Nhava Sheva
- Importer has an active IEC, GSTIN and ICEGATE access, or an authorised broker.
- HS code and full duty line checked.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading match.
- CEPA certificate of origin arranged if the goods qualify.
- Licences for restricted goods applied for before sailing.
- Exit route chosen and Bill of Entry ready to file before arrival.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging, carrier acceptance and any Indian licence.
- Free time agreed and insurance arranged.
Common mistakes on shipments to Nhava Sheva
- Filing the Bill of Entry after arrival, which adds charges and can push the box from DPD into a CFS.
- Uploading documents over 1 MB or not in PDF to e-Sanchit.
- Claiming CEPA for goods that only passed through Dubai.
- Leaving out the GSTIN or state code, so IGST credit is lost.
- Treating DG as general cargo. Undeclared DG is refused or held.
Nhava Sheva or Mundra: which Indian port fits your cargo?
| Your consignee | Port to consider first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai, Pune, Maharashtra, Goa | Nhava Sheva | Short road haul |
| Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi NCR, Punjab | Mundra | Closer to the north-western hinterland |
| 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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nhava Sheva the same as JNPT?
Yes. Nhava Sheva, JNPT and Jawaharlal Nehru Port are the same port in Navi Mumbai, run by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). Its UN/LOCODE is INNSA.
How many container terminals does Nhava Sheva have?
Five: NSFT, NSICT, GTI, BMCT and NSIGT. Operators are J. M. Baxi with CMA Terminals, DP World (two terminals), APM Terminals with CONCOR, and a PSA subsidiary.
How many containers does Nhava Sheva handle?
JNPA handled 8,173,276 TEU in FY 2025-26, up 11.94% on the year before. That is around half of the container cargo at India's major ports.
When should the Bill of Entry be filed for Nhava Sheva?
Section 46 of the Customs Act sets the deadline: the end of the day before the vessel arrives at Nhava Sheva. Filing can start up to 30 days before expected arrival.
What does direct port delivery mean at Nhava Sheva?
It lets an importer clear an FCL container and take it from the terminal to its premises without a CFS. JNPA reports 72.66% of import containers used it in FY 2023-24.
Can I get lower duty on goods shipped from Dubai?
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.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Nhava Sheva?
Yes, with full DG paperwork and carrier acceptance. Class 1 explosives need 48 hours' notice to the harbour master and cannot be stored in the port.
How do I ship from Nhava Sheva to Dubai?
The Indian exporter or its customs broker files the shipping bill electronically and, to claim CEPA rates, gets a preferential certificate of origin from DGFT's eCoO platform. We book the space, file the Dubai Customs declaration before arrival, arrange payment of duty and 5% import VAT, and deliver.
Get a quote for Nhava Sheva port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and price from Dubai to Nhava Sheva. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, reefer or project shipment. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- JNPA: Overview (terminals, landlord model, commissioning date, share of container cargo, SEZ)
- JNPA: Container terminals (operators, quay length, draft, capacity, reefer points, LOA)
- JNPA: Operating performance profile FY 2025-26 (TEU, tonnes, rail traffic)
- JNPA: Ease of doing business (DPD, RFID, channel deepening)
- JNPA: SOP for handling IMDG Class explosives
- JNCH Public Notice 46/2017: Clearance of hazardous export cargo
- JNCH: List of approved CFS facilities
- 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: Jawaharlal Nehru Port (location, terminal history, freight corridor)
- Cogoport: Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva) port info (UN/LOCODE INNSA)
- UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism: UAE-India CEPA (in force 1 May 2022)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (import, export and re-export documents)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (duty of 5% of CIF value, CIF definition)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing customs and paying customs duty
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT (5% rate)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (import VAT, reverse charge and payment before release)
- GCC Unified Guide for Customs Procedures at First Points of Entry (import and export documents)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026