Sending to India: at a glance
- Duty-free limit
- INR 5,000 for bona fide gifts by post or air freight (Notification 171/93-Cus as amended).
- Tax above the limit
- Above the limit: IGST, basic customs duty and social welfare cess.
- Used personal items
- Assume there is no special relief for used personal items sent by post or courier; the ordinary parcel thresholds apply.
- Put in the parcel
- Invoice with value and description
- Recipient's ID and address
- Gift declaration where claiming the gift exemption
These are the usual rules. Customs and courier rules can change at any time, so confirm with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) before sending.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)What can you usually send?
MedicinesUsually limited
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals: Generally detained by customs when sent by courier (courier guide).
Vapes and e-cigarettesUsually not allowed
- E-cigarettes and vaping products: Production, import, export, transport, sale, storage and advertisement banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019.
Food, plants and animal productsUsually not allowed
- Animals, plants, perishables, gold, silver, precious stones and studded jewellery: Not allowed by courier (law-firm summary).
Cash, gold and jewelleryUsually not allowed
- Animals, plants, perishables, gold, silver, precious stones and studded jewellery: Not allowed by courier (law-firm summary).
Anything not listed here (clothes, bags, toys, your own used things) usually follows the standard parcel rules and the duty-free limit above.
Send it yourself
- Ask the office holding it whether they post items, or who may collect it for you (a written authorisation and a copy of your ID).
- Someone collects it and packs it securely.
- Book a courier with a clear description and value; outside the EU it needs electronic customs data.
- The receiver pays any import duty or tax on arrival.
Offices usually work Greek office hours, and staff may answer in Greek. A service we recommend can make the calls and handle the pickup for you.
Rather not do it yourself? Couriers we recommend
Ask whether they can collect it from the office that has it, pack it and send it, and help with the customs paperwork. Ask for the price first.
Family-run Athens courier since 1988. Sends parcels within Greece and abroad, helps with customs clearance, and can store extra bags for travellers and deliver them later. Ask for a price on their website.
We recommend services we think are useful; some may pay us a fee if you book. Prices and terms are set by the service, so check them before you book.
More details
In short
India exempts bona fide gifts imported by post or courier from customs duty up to INR 5,000, though some customs zones count courier charges toward the limit. Above it IGST, basic duty and cess apply. Prescription drugs are generally detained and e-cigarettes are banned.
Good to know
- Rules change often; confirm current limits with CBIC or the courier before sending.