Trade Routes
Shipping from India to Bangladesh: Sea, Road & Rail Options
6 min read
Bangladesh is a close neighbour and a major trade partner for eastern India in particular. Cargo can move by sea, road or rail, giving exporters flexible options.
Sea, road and rail
- Sea: from Kolkata/Haldia or other Indian ports to Chittagong (Chattogram), Bangladesh main seaport.
- Road: through land ports such as Petrapole (India) and Benapole (Bangladesh), one of the busiest land borders in the region.
- Rail: cross-border rail freight serves several routes, useful for bulk and containerised cargo.
Typical transit times
- Sea to Chittagong: approximately 5 to 10 days depending on the origin port.
- Road via Petrapole-Benapole: often a few days, subject to border clearance.
Documentation
Standard export documents apply, plus land-port specific paperwork for road movements. Border congestion can affect road transit, so accurate documentation and pre-clearance help avoid delays.