How to Ship Excess Baggage in India Cheaply

Quick Answer: The cheapest way to ship excess baggage in India is through state RTC bus parcel services (₹5-20/kg) if you can handle depot-to-depot logistics. For door-to-door convenience, luggage courier services like Shipzy offer rates starting at ₹65/kg—saving up to 80% compared to airline excess baggage fees of ₹400-750/kg.

Dragging three heavy suitcases through an airport is nobody’s idea of a good time. And when you reach the check-in counter only to find out your bags are 15kg over the limit? That’s when the real pain starts—airlines charge anywhere from ₹400 to ₹750 per extra kilogram.

But here’s what most travelers don’t know: you can ship that same luggage door-to-door for as little as ₹65/kg using a luggage courier service. That’s up to 80% cheaper than paying at the airport counter.

This guide breaks down every option for shipping excess baggage within India—from courier services to bus parcel to cargo—so you can pick the method that fits your timeline and budget.

Who Is This Article For?

• Travelers with kids — Already juggling enough without wrestling oversized bags
• International travelers landing in India and connecting to another city
• Event attendees — Heading to a wedding function or destination wedding with heavy outfits
• People relocating — Moving cities for work, studies, or family

Why Courier is Cheaper Than Airline Excess Baggage

Let’s look at actual numbers for a common scenario—shipping 20 kg of extra luggage on the Delhi to Mumbai route:

The math is clear: Courier services save you ₹6,000-13,000 on this single route. Even if you need express delivery, you’re still paying a fraction of airline rates.

5 Ways to Ship Excess Baggage in India (Ranked by Value)

Option 1: Luggage Courier Services (Best Balance of Cost & Convenience)

Specialized luggage couriers offer the sweet spot between affordability and convenience. They handle everything—pickup from your home, professional packaging, tracking, and delivery to your destination.

Typical Rates:

• Standard delivery (3-5 days): ₹65-100/kg
• Express delivery (1-2 days): ₹100-200/kg

What’s included:

• Door-to-door pickup and delivery
• Shrink-wrap packaging for suitcases
• Real-time tracking
• WhatsApp-based booking

Coverage: Most services cover 15,000-21,000+ pincodes domestically, including smaller towns and cities.

Best for: Travelers who want hassle-free shipping without visiting depots or stations. Ideal when you’re short on time before your flight or need luggage waiting at your destination when you arrive.

Shipzy’s domestic luggage rates start at ₹65/kg with pickup from your doorstep across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and 21,000+ pincodes.

Option 2: State RTC Bus Parcel Services (Cheapest Option)

State Road Transport Corporation buses offer the lowest parcel rates in India. Your luggage travels in the cargo compartment of passenger buses between depots.

How it works:

1. Take your luggage to the nearest bus depot
2. Fill booking form with destination depot details
3. Pay the charges (weight + distance based)
4. Recipient collects from destination depot with ID proof

Actual State RTC Bus Parcel Rates:

APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh)

Insurance and GST extra

TGSRTC (Telangana)

Additional charges: Hamali ₹20/article, Clerical ₹10/article, Transshipment ₹30/unit

Kerala KSRTC

• Base rate: ₹70/kg
• Minimum charge: ₹30 for parcels under 25 grams
• Distance slabs: 200 km, 400 km, 600 km, 800 km, 800+ km
• Delivery within Kerala: 16 hours
• Also serves: Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Nagercoil, Tenkasi

SETC (Tamil Nadu)

• Chennai to Trichy/Hosur (up to 80 kg): ₹210 + 18% GST
• Chennai to Madurai (up to 80 kg): ₹300 + 18% GST
• Chennai to Tirunelveli/Tuticorin (up to 80 kg): ₹390 + 18% GST

Karnataka KSRTC

• Newspaper bundles: ₹5 per 5 kg unit (any distance)
• General luggage: ₹0.50 per unit per stage (minimum ₹5)
• Heavy items: Charged at 20 kg/unit

Document/Small Parcel Rates (TGSRTC):

The catch with bus parcel:

• ❌ Depot-to-depot only—no home pickup or delivery
• ❌ Must physically visit bus station (twice—to send and receive)
• ❌ Limited to cities with bus depots
• ❌ Basic or no tracking
• ❌ No packaging provided—bring your own
• ❌ Operating hours typically 9 AM – 9 PM
• ❌ Weight limit: 100-120 kg maximum
• ❌ Items not accepted: Perishables, cash, jewelry, hazardous materials
• ❌ Some bus services won’t accept parcels unless you’re traveling with them — meaning you can’t just ship the parcel; you have to travel on the same bus

Hidden costs to consider: When you add auto/taxi fare to reach the bus depot (₹200-500 each way × 2 trips for sender and receiver), your total cost can approach or exceed courier rates—minus the convenience.

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers with time flexibility who live near bus depots. Makes most sense for heavy cargo where per-kg savings add up significantly (50+ kg shipments).

Option 3: Private Bus Operator Parcel Services

Private bus operators like VRL Logistics, ABT, and SRMT offer parcel services with better tracking than state RTCs, though at higher rates.

VRL Logistics Rates:

ABT Parcel Service Rates:

Cargo (per kg):

Plus ₹100 documentation charges per shipment

Advantages over State RTCs:

• ✓ Better tracking systems
• ✓ More professional handling
• ✓ Wider interstate network
• ✓ Some offer limited pickup services

Cons: 

• They may have restrictions in terms of size. 
• There are no proper details in terms of tracking. 
• There is no point of contact to guide. 

Still requires: Depot drop-off and collection in most cases.

Option 4: Traditional Courier Companies (Blue Dart, DTDC)

Established courier companies handle luggage shipments, though they’re primarily designed for smaller parcels.

Typical Rates:

• Surface/road transport: ₹50-80/kg (5-7 days)
• Air freight: ₹100-150/kg (2-3 days)

Pros:

• Extensive branch network
• Established tracking systems
• Door-to-door in most cases

Cons:

• May have size/weight restrictions for large suitcases
• Not specialized for luggage handling
• Rates can vary significantly by route
• No customization or priority service. Pickup times are random, and no customer service. 

Best for: Smaller packages and boxes rather than full-size suitcases.

Option 5: Indian Railways Parcel Service

Railways offer parcel booking through passenger trains, with your luggage traveling in the luggage van.

Rate Structure:

• Scale-L (Luggage): For accompanied and unaccompanied personal luggage
• Scale-P (Premier): Faster delivery via premium trains
• Scale-S (Standard): Economy option

Approximate costs:

• 10-20 kg for 500 km: ₹150-300 (Standard)
• Booking through Chief Parcel Supervisor at station

Limitations:

• Station-to-station only
• Must visit railway parcel office for booking
• Collection from destination station parcel office
• Available only on routes with passenger train service
• If you don’t have the right agent, then the safety of your goods cannot be guaranteed. 

Best for: Routes with good rail connectivity where bus service is limited.

Option 6 : Airlines Personal Cargo

Air India’s cargo division offers airport-to-airport luggage shipping.

How it works:

• Contact Air India Cargo (cargocare@airindia.com or +91 9667106666)
• Drop your luggage at the cargo terminal (not the passenger terminal)
• Collect at the destination airport’s cargo terminal
• Handle customs paperwork if required

Typical costs: Quote-based, generally competitive for heavier shipments

Best for: Large shipments, items that need to move quickly via air, or when you’re already familiar with air cargo processes.

Downsides: Airport-to-airport only—you need to arrange transport to and from cargo terminals yourself. More paperwork involved.

Route-Wise Cost Comparison

Here’s what you’d actually pay for 20 kg of excess luggage on popular domestic routes:

Bus parcel rates don’t include taxi/auto fare to depot (add ₹400-1000 for round trips at both ends)

When to Use Each Option: Decision Guide

6 Tips to Save More on Luggage Shipping

1. Book 3-5 days early — Standard shipping rates are 40-50% lower than express
2. Consolidate into fewer bags — Per-shipment handling fees add up with multiple pieces
3. Weigh at home first — Avoid surprises; use a bathroom scale
4. Compare courier + bus options — For 50+ kg, bus parcel savings may outweigh inconvenience
5. Check for ongoing offers — Many couriers offer first-time user discounts
6. Ship non-essentials separately — Send heavy items like books via slower, cheaper surface transport

What About International Excess Baggage?

Shipping excess baggage internationally follows similar principles but involves customs documentation.

International courier rates from India:

• USA/Canada: ₹1,200-2,000/kg
• UK/Europe: ₹1,000-1,800/kg
• UAE/Gulf: ₹800-1,200/kg
• Australia: ₹1,500-2,200/kg

Timeline: 5-10 business days depending on destination and customs clearance.

What you’ll need:

• Valid ID proof
• Contents declaration
• Recipient’s address with phone number
• Commercial invoice (for non-personal items)

Get international shipping quotes from Shipzy for specific routes and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the cheapest way to ship excess baggage in India?

State RTC bus parcel services offer the lowest per-kg rates (₹5-20/kg depending on distance). However, when you factor in taxi fares to reach bus depots and the time investment, door-to-door luggage couriers at ₹65-100/kg often provide better overall value.

Q: Is bus parcel service cheaper than courier for luggage?

Yes, on a pure per-kg basis—state RTC buses charge ₹5-20/kg compared to ₹65-100/kg for couriers. However, bus parcel requires you to drop luggage at the depot and have the recipient collect from the destination depot. Add auto/taxi fares (₹200-500 each way × 2 locations) and time costs, and the total often approaches courier rates minus the convenience.

Q: How much does it cost to courier 20 kg luggage in India?

Approximately ₹1,300-2,000 for standard delivery (3-5 days) or ₹2,000-4,000 for express delivery (1-2 days). Exact rates depend on the route and service provider.

Q: Can I ship my suitcase via courier?

Yes. Luggage courier services specialize in shipping suitcases, trolley bags, and duffel bags. They typically provide shrink-wrap packaging to protect your bags during transit.

Q: How long does domestic luggage shipping take?

• Express: 1-2 days
• Standard: 3-5 days
• Economy/Surface: 5-7 days
• Bus Parcel: 1-2 days (but add time for depot visits)

Q: Is it safe to ship luggage by courier?

Yes, reputable courier services offer tracking and insurance options. Your luggage is handled professionally with proper packaging. Avoid shipping high-value items like jewelry, cash, or irreplaceable documents.

Q: What items cannot be shipped via luggage courier?

Prohibited items typically include: lithium batteries (loose), flammable materials, pressurized containers, perishable food, live plants/animals, illegal substances, cash, and high-value jewelry. The same restrictions apply to bus and train parcel services.

Q: Which bus service is best for parcel in India?

For South India routes, ABT and SRMT offer reliable service with good tracking. VRL Logistics has the widest pan-India network among private operators. State RTCs (APSRTC, TGSRTC, Kerala KSRTC) are cheapest but offer basic service. Choose based on your specific route and whether tracking matters to you.

Key Takeaways

• Airline excess baggage fees run ₹400-750/kg—often totaling ₹8,000-15,000 for just 20 kg extra
• Luggage courier services offer door-to-door shipping from ₹65/kg, saving 70-85%
• Bus parcel services are cheapest at ₹5-25/kg but require depot visits at both ends
• Private bus operators (VRL, ABT) offer ₹20-70/kg with better tracking than state RTCs
• Plan ahead: Standard courier (3-5 days) costs 40-50% less than express (1-2 days)
• Hidden costs matter: Bus parcel savings can disappear when you add taxi fares and time

Ready to Ship Your Luggage?

Skip the airport excess baggage counter. Shipzy picks up your luggage from your doorstep and delivers it to your destination—starting at just ₹65/kg.

Get a free quote on WhatsApp or call us to discuss your shipment.