Shipping from India to USA

The USA is the top international shipping destination for Indian sellers, exporters, and individuals sending personal parcels. This guide covers what's changed recently and what you need to know before you book a shipment.

The most important recent change: no more duty-free small parcels

Until mid-2025, parcels valued under $800 could enter the US duty-free under the "de minimis" rule. That exemption was suspended for China and Hong Kong in May 2025, then extended to every country on 29 August 2025, and has been confirmed as continuing through 2026, with a further statutory end date of 1 July 2027. In practice: every parcel shipped from India to the US today is subject to customs duty assessment, regardless of declared value. Budget for this — it is no longer possible to structure a shipment to stay "under the limit."

How to ship

1. Choose an international courier with reliable US delivery coverage and confirm whether they offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid, duty collected upfront) or DDU/DAP (duty collected from the recipient on delivery). DDP gives the recipient a much smoother experience post-2025.
2. Prepare a commercial invoice with an accurate, honest declared value — see Commercial Invoice.
3. File the correct shipping bill: CSB-IV for genuine gifts/samples under ₹25,000, CSB-V for commercial shipments — see CSB-IV vs CSB-V.
4. Confirm the item isn't restricted or prohibited for US import — see Restricted or Prohibited Items (USA).
5. Weigh and measure accurately, then compare live rates on the Rate Calculator.

What to tell your recipient

Since duty is now assessed on every shipment, make sure your US recipient knows a duty/customs fee may be collected on delivery (unless you've paid DDP upfront), and that they may need to provide ID or additional information if US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flags the parcel for review.

For cost ranges and typical delivery timelines specific to this route, see Shipping Cost from India to USA and Delivery Time from India to USA.