LPG Cylinder Transfer vs Surrender & Reapply – Which Saves More?

Overview — Moving House with LPG: Your Options

Moving homes in India? You have two practical paths: transfer your existing connection within the same OMC (Indane, Bharatgas, or HP Gas) or surrender it and apply afresh at your new address. For most relocations, transfer is faster and cheaper because your KYC, security deposit, and DBTL linkage continue within the same company. See processes on the official hub: MyLPG consumer services.

When you should transfer vs when to surrender

Transfer if you can stay with the same OMC across cities—it preserves your deposit and DBTL, with minimal fees and typical timelines of 2–7 working days. Official consumer pages: HP Gas consumer services, Bharatgas for consumers, Indane consumer information.

Surrender + reapply if you must change OMC, are going abroad long-term, or won’t use LPG for months. It may cost more due to today’s deposit and fresh setup.

Option 1 — Transfer Your LPG Connection (Usually Cheapest)

If you can continue with Indane, Bharatgas, or HP Gas, transferring usually beats surrender on both cost and time. Your consumer number and subsidy mapping carry forward after basic updates.

Within the same city: Portability/change distributor

Portability helps when you shift within city limits or want better service. It’s free or low-cost and can be initiated online via your OMC or the MyLPG consumer portal.

Steps on MyLPG/OMC app or distributor visit

• Log in to your OMC portal/app via MyLPG and choose “Portability/Change Distributor”.
• Pick a nearby distributor; review ratings/service days if available.
• Submit request with consumer number and updated address/ID if prompted.
• Visit the new distributor if instructed, carrying subscription voucher/consumer book and KYC proofs.
• Confirm completion via SMS/email or with the new distributor.

Typical documents and timelines

• Documents: Aadhaar/ID, new address proof (rent agreement, electricity bill, society letter), and your consumer number/voucher.
• Timelines: Often 2–7 working days, subject to workload/holidays. Helplines are listed on MyLPG.

Inter-city transfer within the same OMC

Relocating between cities? Transfer your connection to a destination distributor under the same brand.

Process differences: Indane vs Bharatgas vs HP Gas

What happens to cylinders, regulator, and deposit

• Cylinders and regulator move with you and are validated by the destination distributor.
• Your security deposit remains mapped within the OMC, so no fresh deposit is generally taken on transfer (confirm locally per OMC policy).

Option 2 — Surrender & Reapply (When It Makes Sense)

Choose this path only if you cannot continue with the same OMC or won’t use domestic LPG for an extended period. Expect higher effort and possibly higher net cost if today’s deposits exceed your original deposit.

Permanent surrender: Refunds and timelines

• Visit your distributor with cylinders, regulator, and subscription voucher; submit the closure form and bank details.
• Refund typically covers security deposits for each cylinder and the regulator, less any recoverables.
• Timelines vary; keep the acknowledgement and track credit. Policies are aggregated on MyLPG.

Fresh application in new city: Fees, KYC, and wait times

• Apply at a nearby distributor with KYC and address proof; brand pages: Indane (IndianOil), Bharatgas (BPCL), HP Gas (HPCL).
• You’ll pay the current security deposit (per cylinder + regulator) and any applicable admin/setup charges.
• Activation may take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on city and season.

Edge cases: Long-term travel/abroad, change of ownership, lost documents

• Long absence/abroad: Surrender, reclaim deposit, and reapply when you return.
• Change of ownership: Many OMCs permit name transfer with succession documents—ask your distributor.
• Lost subscription voucher/consumer book: File a written request; reissue is possible after verification—see HP Gas consumer services.
• Tenancy clauses/address proof: Review renter documentation tips in our house rental guide for tenants.

Cost Comparison — Which Saves More?

Bottom line: transfer usually wins. Surrender + reapply often increases cash outlay when current deposits exceed what you originally paid, and it takes longer.

Cost components and assumptions

Security deposit (per cylinder + regulator) — how it affects net outlay

The biggest swing factor is the difference between your original deposit and today’s rates. If rates rose, surrendering typically increases cash outlay; if they fell meaningfully, surrender can sometimes be neutral or slightly favorable.

Admin/processing charges, visit costs, time value

Transfers usually involve modest or no fees and 1–2 visits. Surrender + reapply means two separate processes with more visits and potential wait for inspection and activation.

Comparison table: Transfer vs Surrender & Reapply

Scenario A: Deposit rates higher now than before

If you paid a lower deposit years ago and today’s deposit is higher, transfer is cheaper because surrender would make you pay the higher deposit minus a smaller refund.

Scenario B: Deposit rates lower now than before

If deposits have fallen meaningfully, surrender may be cost-neutral or slightly favorable after refund. Balance any small saving against extra time and admin.

Scenario C: Inter-company switch not possible via transfer

If no same-OMC distributor is available at the new address, you must surrender and take a fresh connection with the available OMC. Budget the full current deposit and allow extra processing days.

Documents, KYC & Subsidy Continuity (DBTL)

Keep valid address proof for your new place, ID, and consumer details ready. If your bank/Aadhaar linkage stays intact, DBTL subsidy usually continues after a same-OMC transfer.

Valid address proofs for transfer

• Any one: recent electricity bill, registered rent agreement, registered sale deed, society letter, or municipal tax receipt.
• Tenants: rent agreement plus a utility bill in owner’s name typically works. For broader address updates, follow our address change before shifting.

Bank linkage and Aadhaar for DBTL

Ensure your LPG account is seeded with Aadhaar and your bank is active for DBTL credits. See the consumer framework at the MyLPG portal. Recheck bank SMS/email for subsidy receipts after the move.

Will subsidy change after transfer?

If you remain eligible and KYC/bank linkage is valid, subsidy credits should continue post-transfer within the same OMC. Brand guidelines: HP Gas, Bharatgas. PMUY beneficiaries can continue after updating KYC; see PM Ujjwala Yojana.

Step-by-Step Checklists

Transfer checklist (2–7 day plan)

• Day 0: Note consumer number; log in to MyLPG/OMC app; shortlist destination distributors.
• Day 1: Submit transfer/portability request with updated address; keep ID and address proof scans ready.
• Day 2–3: Visit new distributor if called; carry cylinders/regulator only when instructed.
• Day 2–5: Watch for SMS/email confirmation; test a refill booking.
• Day 5–7: Reinstall and request a leak test; file updated records safely.

Surrender & new connection checklist (1–3 week plan)

• Visit current distributor to surrender with cylinders, regulator, and subscription voucher; submit bank details.
• Collect acknowledgement and track refund credit.
• In the new city, pick OMC/distributor; submit fresh KYC with address proof.
• Pay current deposit and any applicable setup/admin charges; schedule inspection.
• Verify DBTL linkage; after activation, book a test refill. For a broader first-week plan, see our first-time new home checklist.

Common Questions & Fixes

Can I transfer across OMCs (Indane ↔ Bharatgas ↔ HP Gas)?

No. Transfers work only within the same OMC. To change brands, surrender the old connection and apply afresh with the new OMC. Confirm steps on MyLPG and your chosen brand’s consumer page.

How many cylinders can I carry during move?

Carry your allotted cylinders (typically 1–2 for domestic) upright with valve caps. Avoid enclosed passenger cars; use ventilated carriers and follow safety rules.

What if I lost my subscription voucher/consumer book?

Inform your distributor in writing with ID/KYC. They can reissue after verification; see brand guidance such as HP Gas consumer services.

What to do if the distributor delays transfer?

• Call the distributor and OMC helpline listed on MyLPG; keep your request number.
• Visit the office with proofs; ask for status and completion date.
• Escalate via OMC grievance links on the brand portals if needed.

Safety & Compliance Reminders

BIS-compliant accessories, inspection, leak tests after reinstallation

• Use BIS-marked hoses and approved regulators; request a soap solution leak test after reconnection.
• Review safety do’s and don’ts on brand pages like HP Gas safety and services.

Don’t transport cylinders in closed cars; follow transporter rules

• Keep cylinders upright, valve-protected, and away from heat sources; ensure ventilation during transport.
• Inform movers in advance; prohibit smoking or open flames near cylinders during handling.

Moving-Day Coordination Tips

Booking refills around moving date

Try to move with at least one partially filled cylinder. Avoid booking a delivery that clashes with your truck schedule. New to booking methods? See our gas cylinder booking guide.

Aligning address change and mover schedule

• Update your LPG address as soon as you have valid proof; align the distributor visit with kitchen delivery.
• Bundle utility activations to minimize downtime—start with set up essential utilities.
• Local moves have tight timelines—use our local home shifting checklist.
• For a full move-day run sheet (with safety steps), follow the moving day checklist.

Summary — Decision Tree: Pick the Best Option in 60 Seconds

One-line answer: If you can stay with the same OMC, transfer; if you must change OMC or won’t use LPG for months, surrender + reapply.