Shipping · 8 min read · Updated Jun 20, 2026

International shipping from India: a seller's guide

Cross-border shipping is where many first-time exporters lose money — to under-pricing, under-packing, or surprise duties at the buyer's door. Here's how to ship well from India.

Your shipping options

Postal (India Post / Speed Post): cheapest, slowest, light on tracking — fine for low-value, non-urgent parcels.
Express couriers (DHL, FedEx, Aramex): fast, fully tracked, more expensive — the default for valuable handmade goods.
Export-logistics aggregators: negotiated rates plus paperwork support, often the best balance for small sellers.

DDP vs. DDU — who pays the duty

DDU/DAP (delivered duty unpaid) means the buyer is billed for duty by the courier on arrival — a common cause of refused parcels and angry reviews. DDP (delivered duty paid) means duty is calculated and collected up front, so the buyer pays nothing extra. All-inclusive pricing is a real competitive advantage abroad.

Packing handmade goods to survive the trip

Double-box fragile ceramics and glass with 5cm of cushioning on every side.
Wrap textiles in tissue and a waterproof inner layer; parcels get wet.
Immobilise the item so it can't shift — movement, not impact, breaks most pieces.
Seal with reinforced tape and label clearly, including the HS code and country of origin.

Keeping shipping from eating your margin

Weigh and measure every product (volumetric weight often beats actual weight on price), and either build shipping into your price or sell where the buyer sees a true landed cost. Guessing shipping is how makers accidentally sell at a loss.

Frequently asked

What's volumetric weight?: Couriers charge on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ a divisor). Bulky-but-light parcels are priced on size, so pack compactly.
Should I offer free shipping?: 'Free' shipping just means it's built into the price. That can convert better, but only if your margin absorbs it. Be deliberate, not reflexive.
How do I avoid duty surprises for my buyer?: Sell on a DDP basis where duties are computed and collected up front. haat shows buyers an all-inclusive landed price for exactly this reason.

Keep reading

How to price handmade products for export from India · Selling
Documents required to export from India (small-parcel checklist) · Exporting
Import duties when buying from India: what to expect · Buying

Your shipping options

Postal (India Post / Speed Post): cheapest, slowest, light on tracking — fine for low-value, non-urgent parcels.

Express couriers (DHL, FedEx, Aramex): fast, fully tracked, more expensive — the default for valuable handmade goods.

Export-logistics aggregators: negotiated rates plus paperwork support, often the best balance for small sellers.

DDP vs. DDU — who pays the duty

Packing handmade goods to survive the trip

Double-box fragile ceramics and glass with 5cm of cushioning on every side.

Wrap textiles in tissue and a waterproof inner layer; parcels get wet.

Immobilise the item so it can't shift — movement, not impact, breaks most pieces.

Seal with reinforced tape and label clearly, including the HS code and country of origin.

Frequently asked

What's volumetric weight?

Couriers charge on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ a divisor). Bulky-but-light parcels are priced on size, so pack compactly.

Should I offer free shipping?

'Free' shipping just means it's built into the price. That can convert better, but only if your margin absorbs it. Be deliberate, not reflexive.

How do I avoid duty surprises for my buyer?

Sell on a DDP basis where duties are computed and collected up front. haat shows buyers an all-inclusive landed price for exactly this reason.