2 min readKolkataUpdated: Jul 30, 2026 03:12 PM IST
The Railways is launching an online facility on July 31 to let passengers declare and book extra baggage when reserving tickets, bypassing lengthy queues at railway stations.
Currently passengers carrying luggage beyond the permissible free limit are required to visit parcel offices to book their extra baggage before their train’s departure. The new online excess luggage booking facility aims to eliminate redundant paperwork, cut down waiting times, and reduce overcrowding at railway terminals across the country.
How to book extra luggage online
Passengers with confirmed tickets can book additional baggage on http://www.parcel.indianrail.gov.in by entering journey details, including origin and destination stations, train numbers, and parcel specifications.
The portal automatically generates an estimated freight charge. Passengers can print the online application and present their luggage at the origin station’s parcel office for final weighing and charge confirmation.
On making the payment, they will get a receipt required for collecting baggage at the destination. They can monitor their luggage in real time via the Track & Trace service and will receive SMS updates upon its arrival.
Luggage allowed in various classes
Second-class (general) passengers have a free limit of 35 kg and can carry up to 70 kg at an additional charge, whereas sleeper-class passengers have a free limit of 40 kg and a maximum limit of 80 kg.
For AC 3-tier and AC chair car passengers, the free allowance and the maximum permissible limit are both 40 kg. They are not allowed to carry additional luggage.
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A first-class AC passenger can carry up to 70 kg of luggage free of charge, with a maximum permissible limit of 150 kg upon paying extra charges. For AC 2-tier passengers, the free allowance is 50 kg, while the maximum allowed limit is 100 kg.
Charges and minimum distance
Excess luggage is billed at 1.5 times the standard luggage rate. Charges start at a minimum of Rs 30, calculated in increments of 10 kg. A minimum distance threshold of 50 km applies to all rate calculations.