Railway Parcel Booking in Mumbai
Shiv Guru Cargo books railway parcel space from Mumbai and takes care of the work around it. Depending on your goods and route, we arrange an RR Booking with the railway, or space in a private-lease SLR (luggage bogie) or VP (parcel van). Private-lease space is offered per kg, so shipments can start from around 10 kg.
We arrange loading at the origin station, coordinate unloading at the destination where it is part of the booking, and offer either station-to-station or door-to-door service. For RR Booking, applicable railway freight is kept separate from Shiv Guru Cargo's service and handling charges. Private-lease SLR/VP bookings are quoted according to the applicable per-kg arrangement and the services required.
Two Ways We Book Railway Parcels
Railway parcel space on a train is booked in one of two ways, and they work quite differently. Knowing which one your shipment uses explains who sets the freight and who gives you tracking updates.
VP in train means a parcel van, a railway coach used for carrying parcels. Shiv Guru Cargo arranges per-kg space in private-lease VP and SLR from Mumbai, from about 10 kg.
RR Booking
RR Booking is a railway parcel booking made through the applicable railway parcel process.
- The railway charges its applicable freight and applies its own rules.
- The railway's system provides the applicable tracking/status.
- Shiv Guru Cargo handles or assists with the booking and the physical work: loading and, where arranged, unloading and handling.
Private-lease SLR and VP space
Some trains have parcel space, in the luggage bogie (SLR) or a parcel van (VP), that is leased by a private operator.
- Shiv Guru Cargo can arrange available SLR or VP cargo space through private-lease arrangements, depending on the route, train, date and current capacity.
- The space is quoted commercially, per kg, subject to availability.
- Shiv Guru Cargo can give you the booking, tracking and status details for these shipments.
How private-lease railway space works
On selected trains and routes, SLR or VP cargo space may be available through private railway lease arrangements. Shiv Guru Cargo checks the suitable available arrangement according to the route, train, date, goods and required capacity. We do not own or operate trains; train schedules and railway rules are set by Indian Railways.
RR Booking (Railway Receipt)
What RR Booking means
In our day-to-day railway cargo operations, we refer to this service as RR Booking. When your goods are booked as a railway parcel, the railway issues a receipt for the booking. This receipt is your proof of booking. You need it to follow the consignment and to claim it at the destination. Where a GST e-way bill is required, the receipt number is also linked to it.
Keep the receipt safe. Without it, collecting your goods becomes difficult.
Charges on an RR Booking
An RR Booking involves two separate kinds of charges, and your quote keeps them apart:
- Railway freight, charged by Indian Railways under its applicable parcel rules and tariff. Shiv Guru Cargo does not set or change railway freight.
- Shiv Guru Cargo's charges: our service/brokerage charge for handling the booking, plus loading and, where applicable, unloading/handling charges.
Tracking an RR Booking
For an RR Booking, tracking and status information comes through the applicable Indian Railways system/process, using the details on your booking receipt. We can help you understand an update, but the status itself comes from the railway, not from Shiv Guru Cargo's own system.
SLR Booking: Railway Luggage Space
What SLR means here
In railway cargo, SLR refers to the luggage bogie: the coach space on a train used for carrying luggage and parcels. On selected trains, this luggage space is privately leased, and we can arrange space in it for cargo bookings.
How much space an SLR offers
In the SLR arrangements we commonly work with, available luggage capacity is approximately 4 tonnes (4,000 kg), subject to the train, route, goods and current space availability. It is a working figure, not a fixed specification for every SLR on Indian Railways.
You do not need to fill the SLR
You do not need to book the full available SLR capacity. Smaller shipments can be accepted on a per-kg basis, subject to available space. Tell us what you are sending, and we will check whether there is room on your route and date.
VP Booking: Parcel Van Space from about 10 kg
What VP means
VP is the railway term for a parcel van, a coach used entirely for parcels. In the VP arrangements we commonly work with, total parcel-van capacity is approximately 22 tonnes (22,000 kg), subject to the van, train, route and operational conditions.
Per-kg booking, not full-van booking
You do not need 22 tonnes of goods to use a VP. Private-lease VP space is offered per kg. A shipment can start from around 10 kg and go up to the space available in the van, up to about 22 tonnes in total.
That makes VP suitable for smaller consignments starting around 10 kg as well as much larger shipments, subject to available space, route, train and operational conditions. Smaller shipments are not guaranteed a place on every train or route, so availability is confirmed when you book.
What can go in a VP
VP space is not limited to business or bulk cargo. Permissible goods that can travel in a VP include:
- commercial and business goods
- household goods
- cartons and packaged goods
- personal and household consignments
- other permissible cargo
All of this is subject to railway restrictions and acceptance of the particular goods.
RR vs SLR vs VP: Quick Comparison
| Feature | RR Booking | SLR (private lease) | VP (private lease) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Railway parcel booking through the applicable railway parcel process | Space in a privately leased railway luggage bogie, subject to the available arrangement | Space in a privately leased parcel van, subject to the available arrangement |
| Approximate capacity | Per consignment, under railway rules | About 4 tonnes (4,000 kg) of available luggage capacity in the arrangements commonly used | About 22 tonnes (22,000 kg) of total parcel-van capacity in the arrangements commonly used |
| Shipment size model | As accepted under railway rules | No need to book the full available capacity; smaller shipments can be accepted per kg, subject to available space | Per kg, from about 10 kg up to available capacity; no need to book the full van |
| Suitable goods | Permissible goods, including bikes | Permissible goods | Commercial, household, personal and other permissible goods |
| Pricing model | Applicable railway freight under railway rules, plus Shiv Guru Cargo service, loading and unloading charges where applicable | Applicable private-lease per-kg rate, plus the services required | Applicable private-lease per-kg rate, plus the services required |
| Chargeable-weight authority | Applicable railway rules | Applicable railway rules, where volumetric or dimensional charging applies | Applicable railway rules, where volumetric or dimensional charging applies |
| Tracking / status source | The applicable Indian Railways system/process | Details provided by Shiv Guru Cargo | Details provided by Shiv Guru Cargo |
| Availability | Trains and stations handling railway parcels | Only selected trains/routes with available private-lease space | Only selected trains/routes with available private-lease space |
Not sure which suits you? Share your goods, weight and route. We will suggest RR, SLR or VP, or a combination with pickup and delivery, depending on what is available.
Door-to-Door or Station-to-Station: Choose What You Need
We do not force every shipment into one fixed model. Depending on your shipment, weight, size, route, urgency and the space available, we suggest the combination that makes sense.
Station-to-station
You bring the goods to the origin station, or we receive them there. We arrange the booking and loading, and the goods are received or collected at the destination station. This suits customers who can handle the journey to and from the stations themselves.
In Mumbai, we load railway parcels at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Bandra Terminus and Panvel. The station used depends on the train and route.
Door-to-door
For door-to-door, we combine the railway movement with the services you need. These can include:
- pickup from your address
- packing, if required (chargeable)
- movement to the railway station
- the railway booking (RR, SLR or VP)
- loading
- the train journey
- unloading and handling at the destination station
- movement from the destination station
- final delivery to the receiver's address
Not every part is included in every quote. We include only what your shipment needs. Door-to-door railway cargo service is available across our service coverage. For a broader overview of our rail services, see our train cargo service, and for road-based door-to-door cargo.
Mixing the options
Some customers want pickup in Mumbai but will collect at the destination station. Others drop goods at the station but want delivery at the other end. Tell us what you need, and we will quote for that.
Actual Weight and Chargeable Weight
Railway parcel charges are not always based only on what the goods weigh on a scale. Actual weight is the weight of the packed parcel, measured on a weighing scale.
Bulky and oversized parcels
For some bulky or oversized parcels, the dimensions may also be relevant to the applicable chargeable-weight assessment. This often happens with goods that are long, wide, large or awkwardly shaped. The parcel's length (L), width (W) and height (H) may therefore be recorded at booking.
To get an accurate quote, share the actual weight, the number of packages and the length, width and height of each package wherever you can.
Who decides chargeable weight
Where volumetric or dimensional charging applies, the applicable chargeable weight is determined according to the applicable railway rules. Shiv Guru Cargo does not publish or apply its own volumetric formula.
- RR Booking: Indian Railways applies its own applicable rules to decide the chargeable weight and freight for bulky or oversized parcels. Shiv Guru Cargo does not set it.
- Private-lease SLR / VP: the same principle applies. Where volumetric or dimensional charging applies, the applicable chargeable weight is determined according to the applicable railway rules. There is no separate formula for private-lease space.
The applicable assessment is confirmed at the time of booking.
Parcel dimensions that may be measured
For a bulky or oversized parcel, these three measurements of the packed parcel may be recorded at booking.
- Length (L) — Lambai
- Width (W) — Chaudai
- Height (H) — Unchai
Length runs along the longer side of the base, width along the shorter side of the base, and height from the bottom to the top. No formula is shown here, because the applicable chargeable weight is determined according to the applicable railway rules.
What Your Railway Parcel Charges Include
There is no single railway parcel rate, so we do not publish fixed prices. Your quote depends on:
- actual weight and chargeable weight
- parcel dimensions and the cargo space occupied
- the option used: RR, SLR or VP
- the route and destination
- current space availability
- railway freight, on RR Bookings
- the private-lease per-kg rate, on SLR / VP space
- Shiv Guru Cargo's service/brokerage charge
- loading
- unloading or handling at the destination
- packing, if requested (chargeable)
- pickup, if requested
- final delivery, if requested
- any other requirement specific to your shipment
Each part of the quote is shown clearly. For RR Booking, applicable railway freight is kept separate from our service and handling charges. Private-lease SLR/VP bookings are quoted according to the applicable per-kg arrangement and the services required.
Loading and Unloading
Railway parcels have to be physically loaded into the coach in the short time a train halts, and unloaded at the other end. Shiv Guru Cargo handles and arranges the loading as part of the booking.
Destination-side unloading and handling can also be provided, according to the booking and service arrangement. Arrangements are not the same at every station, and nor are the charges, so we confirm what will happen at your destination when we quote. Loading, unloading and handling charges, where they apply, are shown separately.
Tracking and Shipment Updates
How you get updates depends on how the shipment was booked.
RR Booking
Status comes through the applicable Indian Railways system/process, using your booking details.
Private-lease SLR / VP
Shiv Guru Cargo provides the applicable booking, tracking and status details.
For any booking, you can call or WhatsApp our team on +91 98920 00469 if you need help.
Bike Parcel by Train from Mumbai
Sending a motorcycle or scooter by train is one of the most common requests we get, from people relocating, students and families.
How bike booking works
- Contact us with the bike details (make and model), the destination and your preferred date.
- We check the booking option and availability on the route.
- We confirm the documents currently required for your bike.
- We explain how the bike must be prepared and packed. Packing can be arranged at an extra charge.
- The booking is made or assisted, and you receive the booking details.
- Loading onto the train is arranged.
- We explain how collection or delivery works at the destination.
If the bike goes by RR Booking, tracking and status come through the applicable Indian Railways system/process.
Documents usually asked for a bike
Under current railway practice, parcel offices commonly ask for:
- the registration certificate (RC)
- valid identity proof of the person booking
- insurance papers, at some offices
- an authorisation letter if the bike is not in the sender's name
Requirements can vary and change, so we confirm the applicable list before you come to the station.
Preparing the bike
The fuel tank must be emptied before a bike is accepted, and the bike must be packed properly to protect it during loading and the journey. Remove loose accessories and personal items.
Your bike may not travel on the same train you travel on.
What You Can Send by Rail
Railway parcel and cargo space, including VP where operationally available, suits a broad range of permissible goods:
- commercial goods and business stock
- household goods
- cartons and packaged merchandise
- personal consignments
- machinery and components, where acceptable
- bikes and two-wheelers, where applicable
- other permissible goods
All of this is subject to railway rules, safety requirements, route/service availability and acceptance of the particular goods. For a complete household shift, our packers and movers service may suit better.
Goods that cannot be sent
Dangerous, prohibited and restricted goods cannot be sent unless railway rules specifically allow them. This includes flammable, explosive and corrosive items. Some goods are accepted only with conditions or specific documents. Tell us exactly what you are sending, and we will check before booking.
Documents for Railway Parcel Booking
The documents required depend on the goods and on applicable railway and tax requirements. Depending on your shipment, you may be asked for:
- identity proof / KYC of the sender
- an invoice or bill for commercial goods
- GST-related documents for business consignments
- a GST e-way bill, where GST rules require one for the consignment
- vehicle documents for bikes
- commodity-specific documents for certain goods
We confirm the list for your shipment before booking.
Packing for Rail Transport
Railway parcels are loaded and unloaded quickly and travel stacked with other goods. To pack well:
- use strong cartons, sacks or crates suited to the weight
- seal and strap every package so it cannot open
- mark each package with the consignee's details and the total number of pieces
- cushion fragile items and mark them clearly
- keep packages compact, because bulky packing can raise the chargeable weight
Packing can be arranged if you need it, at an extra charge. Good packing reduces the risk of damage but cannot remove it completely.
Railway Parcel Booking Process, Step by Step
- Tell us what you are sending and how it is packed.
- Share the destination city or station and your preferred date.
- Give the actual weight, number of packages, and length, width and height where possible.
- Tell us whether you need station-to-station or door-to-door service.
- We check the suitable option (RR, SLR or VP) and current space.
- We confirm documents and packing requirements.
- We quote and confirm the chargeable weight. For RR Booking, railway freight and our charges are shown separately. SLR/VP space is quoted according to the applicable per-kg arrangement and the services you need.
- You confirm, and the booking is processed.
- Pickup (if arranged) and loading are carried out.
- You receive the booking details, as applicable.
- Unloading, handling, collection or delivery at the destination is coordinated, as applicable.
- The shipment is completed after collection or delivery, as applicable.
Key Routes from Mumbai
The destinations below are routes we regularly work on. Other routes may be arranged depending on current availability, private-lease arrangements and railway parcel facilities. A route being listed does not mean SLR or VP space is always available. Space is confirmed for each booking.
Mumbai to Delhi
Delhi has several major stations, including New Delhi, Delhi Junction and Hazrat Nizamuddin. The arrival station depends on the train used.
Mumbai to Howrah / Kolkata
Eastern consignments typically arrive at Howrah. Some trains serve Kolkata via Shalimar.
Mumbai to Rajendra Nagar / Patna
Bihar consignments commonly arrive at Rajendra Nagar Terminal or Patna Junction, depending on the train.
Mumbai to Bengaluru
Bengaluru is served by KSR Bengaluru, Yesvantpur and SMVT Bengaluru. The arrival station depends on the train.
Mumbai to Lucknow and Gorakhpur
Consignments for Lucknow and Gorakhpur go to the city's main railway junction for the train used.
Other destinations
We do not publish train numbers or timetables, because the trains used for parcels and their schedules change. We give you the current option when you enquire.
Mumbai to Guwahati Railway Parcel
Guwahati is the main railway gateway to Assam and the North East, and we handle railway parcel enquiries from Mumbai to Guwahati. Some trains in the region also use Kamakhya.
It is a long route, and availability depends on the train, the route, the parcel facility, the date and the space free on it, so check early. Share the goods, weight, dimensions and preferred date, and we will confirm the option and arrival station.
Major Railway Destinations from Mumbai
Railway parcel shipments from Mumbai commonly go to the cities below.
North
- Delhi
- New Delhi
- Lucknow
- Gorakhpur
- Kanpur
- Prayagraj
- Varanasi
- Agra
- Mathura
- Jaipur
- Ajmer
- Jodhpur
- Kota
- Udaipur
West & Central
- Ahmedabad
- Surat
- Vadodara
- Rajkot
- Indore
- Bhopal
- Jabalpur
- Gwalior
- Nagpur
- Raipur
- Bilaspur
Maharashtra
- Pune
- Nashik
- Kolhapur
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
East & North East
- Patna
- Rajendra Nagar
- Gaya
- Muzaffarpur
- Darbhanga
- Ranchi
- Dhanbad
- Jamshedpur
- Howrah / Kolkata
- Bhubaneswar
- Cuttack
- Guwahati
- Kamakhya
- Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri
South
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad / Secunderabad
- Vijayawada
- Visakhapatnam
- Coimbatore
- Madurai
- Kochi / Ernakulam
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Mangaluru
This list shows major railway destinations, not confirmed space. Availability depends on the train, route, railway parcel facility and current RR, SLR or VP booking availability. Not every passenger train carries parcels, and not every route has SLR or VP space every day. Please confirm your destination and requirement with us before dispatch.
Checking Current SLR / VP Availability
Space in SLRs and parcel vans changes with the train, the date and bookings already made. Call or WhatsApp us on +91 98920 00469 with the details listed here.
We will tell you what is available and quote accordingly. Space is not held until a booking is confirmed. If rail space is not available for your dates, road transportation can be discussed as an alternative.
- destination city or station
- what you are sending
- actual weight and number of packages
- length, width and height, if the goods are large or bulky
- preferred dispatch date
- station-to-station or door-to-door
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RR Booking?
RR Booking is a railway parcel booking made through the applicable railway parcel process. In our day-to-day railway cargo operations, we refer to this service as RR Booking. The railway issues a receipt for the booking, which you need to follow the shipment and claim it at the destination. Indian Railways charges the applicable freight under its rules, and Shiv Guru Cargo handles or assists with the booking, loading and handling.
Who provides tracking for an RR Booking?
For RR Bookings, tracking and status come through the applicable Indian Railways system/process, using your booking details. Shiv Guru Cargo can help you understand an update, but the status comes from the railway.
Does Shiv Guru Cargo provide tracking or details for SLR and VP bookings?
Yes. For private-lease SLR and VP bookings that we arrange, Shiv Guru Cargo provides the applicable booking, tracking and status details.
What is SLR railway booking?
SLR is the railway luggage bogie, the luggage space on a train used for parcels. SLR booking means sending your goods in that space, where it is available through a private-lease arrangement.
What is the approximate SLR capacity?
In the SLR arrangements we commonly work with, available luggage capacity is approximately 4 tonnes (4,000 kg), subject to the train, route, goods and current space availability.
Do I need to book the full SLR space?
No. You do not need to book the full available SLR capacity. Smaller shipments can be accepted on a per-kg basis, subject to available space.
What is VP or parcel van booking?
VP is a parcel van, a coach used for carrying parcels. In the VP arrangements we commonly work with, space is offered per kg, with total parcel-van capacity of approximately 22 tonnes (22,000 kg), subject to the van, train, route and operational conditions.
Do I need 22 tonnes of goods to book VP space?
No. Under our private-lease arrangements, VP space can be used for smaller shipments on a per-kg basis. Shipments can start from around 10 kg and go up to the available parcel-van capacity of about 22 tonnes, subject to route, train and current space.
Can I send a 10 kg shipment through VP space?
Yes, where space is available on the train and date you need. Around 10 kg is the usual starting point for VP shipments. Smaller shipments are not guaranteed on every train or route.
Can household goods and commercial goods be sent in a VP?
Yes. VP space carries commercial and business goods as well as household and personal consignments, cartons and packaged goods, subject to railway restrictions and acceptance of the goods.
What is the difference between RR, SLR and VP?
RR Booking is a railway parcel booking, with applicable railway freight, railway rules and railway tracking/status. SLR and VP are private-lease railway cargo-space options that Shiv Guru Cargo can arrange, subject to route, train and current availability. SLR luggage space is about 4 tonnes and parcel van space about 22 tonnes in the arrangements we commonly use. Both are offered per kg, with status details from Shiv Guru Cargo.
Do you provide station-to-station railway parcel service?
Yes. We arrange the booking and loading at the origin station, and the goods are received or collected at the destination station. In Mumbai, we load railway parcels at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Bandra Terminus and Panvel, depending on the train and route.
Do you provide door-to-door railway cargo service?
Yes. Door-to-door railway cargo service is available across our service coverage. Door-to-door can combine pickup, packing (chargeable), movement to the station, booking, loading, unloading and final delivery. Only the parts you need are included in the quote.
Can parcel dimensions increase the chargeable weight?
They can for some bulky or oversized parcels. Actual weight is the weight of the packed parcel on a weighing scale, but the length, width and height may also be relevant to the chargeable-weight assessment. Where volumetric or dimensional charging applies, the applicable chargeable weight is determined according to the applicable railway rules and confirmed at the time of booking, so please share the length, width and height.
Who decides chargeable weight on an RR Booking?
Indian Railways, under its applicable rules. Shiv Guru Cargo does not set the railway's chargeable weight or freight.
Is chargeable weight worked out differently for SLR or VP bookings?
No separate formula is used for private-lease SLR or VP space. Where volumetric or dimensional charging applies to a bulky shipment, the applicable chargeable weight is determined according to the applicable railway rules. It does not apply to every shipment, and the applicable assessment is confirmed at the time of booking.
Does Shiv Guru Cargo provide loading and unloading?
Yes. We handle loading at the origin station. Unloading and handling at the destination can be provided depending on the booking. Charges for these are shown separately, and arrangements vary by station.
Can I send a bike by train from Mumbai?
Yes. Parcel offices commonly ask for the RC, identity proof and, at some offices, insurance papers. The fuel tank must be empty and the bike properly packed. If it goes by RR Booking, tracking comes through the railway's system.
Do you handle Mumbai to Guwahati railway parcels?
Yes. We handle railway parcel enquiries from Mumbai to Guwahati. Space on this long route depends on train availability, so please check early.
How do I check current SLR/VP availability, and what details do you need for a quote?
Call or WhatsApp +91 98920 00469, or use our quote page. Share the goods, the destination, the actual weight, the number of packages, the length/width/height, your preferred date, and whether you need station-to-station or door-to-door. We will confirm what is available and quote with every charge shown clearly.
Get a Railway Parcel Quote
Tell us what you are sending and where it needs to go. We will check RR, SLR or VP options, confirm the chargeable weight, and quote with every charge shown clearly. Share:
- goods and packing
- destination city or station
- actual weight and number of packages
- length, width and height of each package, where available
- preferred dispatch date
- station-to-station or door-to-door, and any packing or pickup needs
Phone / WhatsApp: +91 98920 00469Email: csdsgc@gmail.com
