Buying · 6 min read · Updated Jun 20, 2026
Import duties when buying from India: what to expect
When a parcel crosses a border, your country may charge import duty and tax. Whether that lands as a surprise depends entirely on how the seller ships. Here's what to expect — and how to avoid the doorstep bill.
What you might be charged
Two things: import duty (a tariff based on the product's HS code and value) and a local tax (VAT/GST/sales tax). Both depend on your country and the declared value of the goods plus shipping.
De-minimis: the small-parcel threshold
Most countries set a value below which they don't charge duty (and sometimes tax). The US threshold is famously high ($800); others are much lower. Under it, you usually pay nothing; over it, expect a charge.
DDP vs. DDU — why the same parcel can cost differently
- DDU/DAP: the courier collects duty and tax from you on delivery — the classic 'surprise bill at the door'.
- DDP: the seller has calculated and prepaid duty and tax, so the price you paid is the price, full stop.
How to avoid surprises
Buy where the price is all-inclusive. haat computes the landed cost — shipping plus duties — for your destination and shows it up front, so nothing extra is owed when the parcel arrives.
Frequently asked
- Will I always pay import duty on a parcel from India?
- No. If the value is under your country's de-minimis threshold, you typically pay nothing. Above it, duty and local tax may apply unless the seller has prepaid them (DDP).
- How do I know if a price includes duties?
- Look for an explicit 'all-inclusive' or 'duties included' price, or a landed-cost breakdown at checkout. haat shows duties in the price for supported destinations.