How to Ship from the US to India: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

India, with its population of over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class, represents one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for international shipping from the United States. Millions of Indian Americans maintain strong family ties and regularly send packages to relatives in India. Beyond personal shipments, US businesses are increasingly selling to Indian consumers who are eager for American brands in electronics, health supplements, fashion, and specialty goods. India's e-commerce market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, creating significant opportunities for cross-border commerce.

However, shipping to India is complicated by a multi-layered customs system, varying duty rates across product categories, and occasional bureaucratic delays. India's customs infrastructure has modernized significantly in recent years with electronic processing and the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), but challenges remain, especially for shipments entering through smaller ports or airports. The last-mile delivery infrastructure also varies dramatically between major metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai, where delivery is fast and reliable, and rural or semi-urban areas, where logistics can be more challenging.

This guide covers everything you need to know about shipping from the US to India in 2026, including the best carriers, realistic costs and transit times, customs duties and GST, prohibited items, and strategies to ensure your packages arrive smoothly.

Best Carriers for Shipping to India

USPS is the most affordable option for personal shipments and small packages. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4 pounds with transit times of 10 to 21 days. USPS partners with India Post for final delivery, and India Post provides extensive coverage across the country, including rural areas. However, India Post's delivery reliability can vary by region.

UPS offers UPS Worldwide Express (2-4 business days), UPS Worldwide Expedited (3-7 business days), and UPS Worldwide Saver. UPS has a strong network in India's major cities and metro areas. UPS handles customs brokerage, which is valuable given the complexity of Indian customs. UPS is an excellent choice for commercial shipments and time-sensitive deliveries to urban India.

FedEx provides FedEx International Priority (2-4 business days) and FedEx International Economy (4-7 business days) to India. FedEx has a significant Indian operation with comprehensive coverage of metro areas and expanding service to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. FedEx is particularly strong for e-commerce and commercial shipments.

DHL Express delivers in 2 to 4 business days and has one of the most extensive networks in India among international express carriers. DHL is well-regarded for its customs clearance expertise in India, and its delivery network covers most major cities and many smaller towns. DHL is often the preferred carrier for businesses shipping regularly to India.

BlueDart (owned by DHL) is India's leading express delivery company with the most comprehensive domestic network. While you cannot ship directly via BlueDart from the US, DHL Express shipments to India are often handled by BlueDart for final delivery, combining DHL's international network with BlueDart's domestic expertise.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Transit times assume delivery to major metro areas. Delivery to tier-2, tier-3 cities, and rural areas may take additional days. Customs clearance in India typically adds 1 to 5 business days depending on the shipment type, documentation accuracy, and port of entry.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

India's customs system is comprehensive and can be complex for international shippers.

Basic Customs Duty (BCD): India applies varying rates of Basic Customs Duty based on the HS tariff code of the goods. Common rates range from 0% for certain essential goods to 100% or more for luxury items. Electronics typically face 10-20% BCD, clothing 20-25%, and cosmetics 10-20%. Some items like alcoholic beverages can face duties exceeding 100%.

Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST): In addition to BCD, imports are subject to IGST, which is equivalent to India's domestic GST. The standard IGST rate is 18%, but rates of 5%, 12%, and 28% apply to different product categories. IGST is calculated on the assessable value (declared value + BCD).

Social Welfare Surcharge: A 10% Social Welfare Surcharge is applied on top of the Basic Customs Duty.

Total Duty Example: For a $100 electronic item:

• Basic Customs Duty (10%): $10
• Social Welfare Surcharge (10% of BCD): $1
• Assessable value for IGST: $111
• IGST (18%): ~$20
• Total duties and taxes: ~$31 (31% effective rate)

For luxury or heavily taxed items, the effective rate can be much higher.

De Minimis Threshold: India's de minimis threshold for customs duties is relatively low. Commercial imports generally face duties regardless of value. Gifts sent between individuals may qualify for a reduced duty rate if valued under INR 5,000 (approximately $60) and clearly marked as gifts.

KYC Requirements: Indian customs requires Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation for clearing certain imports. Recipients may need to provide an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport copy to customs for shipment clearance, particularly for higher-value items.

Documentation: All shipments require a detailed commercial invoice or customs declaration including item descriptions, values, HS codes, country of origin, and the recipient's contact information including phone number. For commercial shipments, an IEC (Importer Exporter Code) may be required for the recipient.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

India maintains extensive import restrictions:

• Prohibited: Narcotics, pornographic materials, maps depicting incorrect Indian borders, counterfeit currency, certain animal products (including pork and beef in some states), and weapons.
• Restricted: Electronics (may require Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for certain products), medications (require Drug Controller General of India approval; personal quantities with prescription may be permitted), food products (subject to FSSAI regulations), cosmetics (require BIS or CDSCO approval for commercial import), alcohol (high duties and state-specific regulations), tobacco products, and satellite phones (require government permission).
• India-Specific: India has restrictions on importing religious artifacts, antiquities, and gold and silver bullion (which require special licenses). Certain electronics like wireless devices, Bluetooth equipment, and products with encrypted communications may require Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) approval. Used or refurbished electronics may face additional scrutiny.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Package shipments to India with extra care, as packages may undergo thorough customs inspection. Use strong double-walled boxes and wrap items securely. For electronics, use anti-static packaging in addition to cushioning materials. Include a detailed packing list inside the box.

Indian addresses should include the recipient's full name, building or house name/number, street address, locality or area, city, state, PIN code (6 digits), and "INDIA" as the country. Always include the recipient's mobile phone number, as carriers and customs officials in India frequently communicate via phone for delivery coordination and customs clearance.

For shipments to rural or semi-urban areas, include as much address detail as possible, including landmarks if applicable, as standard address systems may be less developed in these areas.

Tracking and Insurance Options

USPS provides tracking that transitions to India Post's system once in India. India Post tracking can be intermittent, particularly for shipments delivered to smaller cities. Express carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL) provide comprehensive tracking with real-time updates, including customs clearance status, which is particularly valuable given India's customs processing times.

USPS includes up to $200 insurance for Priority services. UPS, FedEx, and DHL offer declared value coverage. Given customs complexity and the potential for delays, insurance is strongly recommended for shipments to India. Third-party insurance providers can offer additional coverage.

How to Save on International Shipping

Choose carriers based on destination city: For major metros (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata), all carriers provide good service. For smaller cities and rural areas, DHL/BlueDart often has the best last-mile coverage.

Use Atoship for competitive rates: Atoship's rate comparison platform lets you compare USPS, UPS, FedEx, and other carriers for shipments to India, typically saving 20% to 40% compared to retail pricing.

Be meticulous with documentation: Incomplete or inaccurate customs documentation is the primary cause of delays and additional charges in India. Investing time in proper paperwork saves money in the long run.

Declare accurate values: Indian customs actively scrutinizes declared values and may reassess packages they believe are undervalued, leading to higher duties, fines, and delays.

Consider USPS for personal shipments: For personal packages and gifts, USPS via India Post is often the most affordable option, though transit times are longer.

Include recipient's phone number: This simple step can prevent delivery failures and customs notification delays, which are common in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much customs duty will be charged on packages to India? Duty rates vary by product category. Electronics typically face 28-38% total duties and taxes (BCD + IGST + surcharges), clothing faces 35-45%, and luxury goods can face 50% or more. The exact rate depends on the HS tariff code of the specific item.

Does my recipient need to go to customs to collect the package? For express carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL), the carrier handles customs clearance and delivers to the recipient's address. For USPS/India Post shipments, the recipient may receive a customs notice and need to visit the post office to pay duties and collect the package, particularly for higher-value items.

Can I ship medications to India from the US? Shipping medications to India is heavily regulated. Small quantities of prescribed medications for personal use may be allowed with a copy of the prescription, but many US medications are not approved in India. Over-the-counter supplements and vitamins face scrutiny from FSSAI and customs. Always check with Indian customs regulations before shipping pharmaceuticals.

How long do packages take to clear Indian customs? Express carriers typically clear customs in 1 to 3 business days. Postal shipments through India Post can take 3 to 14 days for customs clearance, and during peak periods or for packages requiring additional inspection, it may take longer. Complete and accurate documentation significantly speeds up clearance.

Do Indian customs officers open and inspect packages? Yes, Indian customs officers frequently open and physically inspect incoming international packages, particularly those sent through the postal system. This is more common for packages with higher declared values, vague item descriptions, or those flagged by X-ray screening. Express carrier packages are also subject to inspection but tend to be processed more efficiently due to the carrier's customs brokerage teams. To minimize issues during inspection, ensure your customs declaration accurately matches the contents, include a detailed packing list inside the package, and avoid wrapping items in ways that make inspection difficult. Packages that are clearly organized and match their documentation are processed faster.

What is the best way to ship gifts to India during Diwali? Diwali season (typically October or November) is the peak period for personal shipments from the US to India. Start shipping at least 3 to 4 weeks before Diwali if using USPS, or 1 to 2 weeks before if using express carriers. Indian customs and postal facilities experience high volumes during this period, causing delays. Mark your package clearly as a gift on customs forms, keep the declared value under INR 5,000 ($60) to potentially qualify for reduced duty rates, and avoid shipping restricted items like food products or electronics that might face extended customs inspection.