Export clearance happens in India before the parcel leaves; import clearance happens in the destination country before the parcel is released for delivery.
Customs
What is the difference between export clearance and import clearance?
Is shipping to the USA still duty-free under $800?
No -- the $800 de-minimis exemption was suspended for all countries from 29 August 2025, so every US-bound parcel is now subject to duty assessment regardless of declared value.
Why was my shipment held at customs?
Most holds are caused by a declared-value mismatch between the invoice and shipping bill, or an incomplete goods description -- check your documentation matches exactly before shipping.
Who pays customs duty -- me or the recipient?
This depends on the courier's terms and the shipment type -- some routes bill the recipient (DDU), others let the sender prepay duty at booking (DDP). Check which model your chosen courier uses.
Can I track a shipment through customs?
Most couriers show a specific customs-stage status (e.g. "held at destination customs") rather than a generic "in transit" update -- check your tracking page for the exact status.
Ready to ship internationally?
Check available shipping options and estimated rates.