When booking on the IRCTC portal, travelers will have the option to declare and pay for luggage that surpasses the free baggage limit. Previously, passengers had to visit the parcel office at the railway station to arrange for excess luggage.
The online platform will present class-specific free luggage allowances, maximum allowable weight, restricted items, corresponding charges, and penalty rules prior to travel.
Steps to book your luggage online
Visit the website www.parcel.indianrail.gov.in.
Register and log into the portal.
Input your origin and destination railway stations.
Select your train from the suggested list.
Complete the booking form (Forwarding Note) with parcel information.
The system will calculate estimated freight charges.
Submit the online Forwarding Note.
Print the e-Forwarding Note and deliver the parcel to the parcel office (godown) at the departure station.
Railway staff will weigh your parcel and determine the final freight charges.
Pay your freight charges and obtain the Railway Receipt (RR).
You can monitor your parcel online using the Track & Trace feature.
You will receive an SMS notification once your parcel arrives at the destination station.
Present the original Railway Receipt (RR) at the destination station to retrieve your parcel.
What is the luggage allowance?
Travelers in AC First Class can carry up to 70 kg of luggage free of charge, with a maximum allowance of 150 kg after additional fees. Those in First Class and AC 2-Tier can carry 50 kg free, and the limit is 100 kg.
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In Sleeper Class, passengers can carry 40 kg free of charge and up to 80 kg by paying excess luggage fees. In Second Class, the free allowance is 35 kg, while the maximum limit is 70 kg.
Passengers in AC 3-Tier and AC Chair Car can carry up to 40 kg. Since the free allowance and maximum weight limit are the same, excess luggage booking is not permitted in these classes.
Luggage dimensions
The Railways have established maximum bag dimensions for items taken aboard coaches.
AC 3-Tier and AC Chair Car: Maximum size is 55 cm x 45 cm x 22.5 cm
AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, Sleeper, and General Class: Maximum size is 100 cm x 60 cm x 25 cm
Calculating luggage charges
If your luggage goes beyond the free allowance, you’ll be required to pay 1.5 times the standard luggage rate. The minimum charge is ₹30, calculated in 10 kg slabs, and the minimum distance to be considered is 50 km.
