Courier From Australia to India

Shipping from Australia to India takes 2 to 7 business days by express air freight, 5 to 14 business days by standard air freight, or 6 to 10 weeks by sea freight. These timeframes are a guide only, as factors outside PACK & SEND's control may affect delivery schedules. For a personalised quote, contact your local PACK & SEND Service Centre.

As a premium, managed retail logistics company with more than 30 years of international freight experience, we ship parcels, excess baggage, fragile and high-value items and commercial freight to every major Indian city. Professional packing, customs documentation and up-to-date tracking with milestone updates are part of the service.

Local reach, global scale. We pack with precision, send with confidence, and handle everything in between.

How to ship from Australia to India

Booking a shipment to India takes four steps:

1. Get a quote. Contact your local PACK & SEND Service Centre for a personalised quote on what you are sending. Get a quote to get started.
2. Choose your service. Express air for speed, standard air for balance, sea freight for household moves and bulk goods.
3. Pack it, or let us. Self-pack simple parcels, or have our team custom-pack fragile and high-value items. Explore our packing solutions.
4. We handle pickup, customs paperwork and delivery. You follow the journey with up-to-date tracking and milestone updates until your shipment is signed for in India.

Service Centre Shipping (recommended)

Best for fragile, high-value or oversized items, excess baggage and personal effects. It is also the required path for anything over 20 kg or $1,000 in value, unpacked items, goods with lithium batteries, and all business or regular senders. Your local centre handles professional packing, customs paperwork and pickup from your address, and prepares a personalised quote.

Book Online (self-service)

A limited, no-frills option for individuals sending simple, pre-packed parcels under 20 kg and up to $1,000 in value. If your shipment is eligible, you may be able to book online. You pack and label the parcel, then drop it off or book a pickup. No packing help or personalised advice is included, so keep it for low-value, non-fragile items.

PACK & SEND Live (business senders)

For businesses shipping to India regularly. PACK & SEND Live adds automation, system integration and scalable fulfilment support through our regular senders solutions. Talk to your local Service Centre about a business account.

Shipping methods: air freight vs sea freight to India

Air freight (express and standard)

International Express reaches major Indian cities in 2 to 7 business days. It suits legal documents, electronics and other urgent or high-value items.

Standard air freight takes 5 to 14 business days and suits larger parcels that are not urgent. These timeframes are a guide only, as factors outside PACK & SEND's control may affect delivery schedules.

Sea freight

Sea freight to major Indian ports such as Mumbai and Chennai takes 6 to 10 weeks as a guide. It suits household relocations and large commercial consignments where volume matters more than speed.

• LCL (Less than Container Load): you share container space with other shippers. It suits smaller consignments, with extra time allowed for consolidation at each end.
• FCL (Full Container Load): a dedicated container for high-volume shipments or goods that need their own space.

How much does it cost to ship to India?

The cost of shipping to India depends on five things:

• Weight: you are charged on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greater. Volumetric weight is calculated from the parcel dimensions, so a light but bulky box can cost more than a dense small one.
• Dimensions: larger parcels take more aircraft or container space.
• Service: express air, standard air and sea freight are priced differently per kilogram, reflecting speed and handling.
• Packing and handling: custom crating or fragile-item handling adds to the price but protects what matters.
• Duties and GST in India: charged by Indian customs on arrival and payable by the recipient. These are separate from the freight price.

Because weight, size and service change the price so much, quotes are prepared per shipment. Contact your local PACK & SEND Service Centre for a personalised quote, especially for fragile, valuable or complex shipments. Eligible pre-packed parcels sent by individuals may qualify for online booking.

Australia-India ECTA, customs duties & GST

Most shipments to India clear customs without drama when the paperwork is right. Here is what applies:

The Australia-India trade agreement (ECTA)

The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has been in force since 29 December 2022. Since 1 January 2026, around 90% of Australian goods exports to India by value enter tariff-free under the agreement. Whether your goods qualify depends on their tariff classification and meeting ECTA rules of origin, so commercial senders should check their product category or ask our team.

How India calculates import duty

Indian customs assesses duty on the shipment's assessable value: the value of the goods plus international freight and associated charges. The duty rate depends on the HS code, the international classification for your goods. Basic Customs Duty is applied first, then a Social Welfare Surcharge (usually 10% of the duty), then GST on top of the total.

GST on imports into India

India charges GST (levied as IGST) on imported goods at the same rate as domestic sales of that product. For many goods the rate is 18%. It is calculated on the assessable value plus any customs duty, not on the goods value alone.

Sending gifts to India

India removed the duty-free allowance for gifts in December 2019. Gifts sent to India by courier or post are charged full customs duty and GST at the applicable rates, whatever their value. The recipient normally pays these charges before delivery. The only exceptions are life-saving medicines and rakhi, under specific conditions set by Indian customs. If you are sending a gift, declare it accurately and let the recipient know to expect charges.

What PACK & SEND does for you

We prepare and check your customs declaration, commercial invoice and supporting paperwork before the shipment leaves Australia. Customs decisions in India sit outside PACK & SEND's control, but accurate documentation is what prevents most delays.

What you can ship to India

We ship almost any item type to India, whatever the size or fragility. Typical shipments include:

• Legal, financial and commercial documents
• Electronics, components and machinery parts
• Personal belongings and unaccompanied luggage
• Furniture and household effects
• Art, collectibles and heirlooms
• Fragile, oversized or high-value goods

Moving to India permanently? Our relocation service covers packing, customs guidance and delivery to the door.

What you cannot send to India

Indian customs prohibits or restricts these items. Sending them risks seizure, fines or return of the shipment:

• Used or second-hand mobile phones and televisions
• Firearms, explosives and weapons
• Hazardous and flammable substances
• Animal skins, ivory and wildlife products
• Medication and supplements without the required approval
• Certain agricultural goods and seeds
• Pornographic material

Items containing lithium batteries, such as new phones, laptops and other electronics, can often be sent but cannot be booked online. Bring them to your local Service Centre, where our team manages the documentation and compliance requirements.

Rules change, so always declare your contents to our team. We will confirm whether your item can ship and what paperwork it needs.

Where we deliver in India

We deliver across India, from metro hubs to regional towns. Major destinations include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Surat. If your delivery address is outside these cities, ask for a quote anyway: our network reaches most of the country.

Packing and tracking

Packing help for long-haul transit

A shipment to India is handled many times between pickup and delivery. Our packing services include custom-built crates for high-value or fragile items, protective packaging with foam inserts and impact-resistant materials, and quality supplies if you prefer to pack yourself. Optional Freight Plus Warranty cover is available for added peace of mind.

Track your shipment to India

Enter your tracking number in Track & Trace for up-to-date tracking with milestone updates at every stage of the journey. Most services include signature on delivery, so you know your item reached the right person.

Frequently asked questions about shipping to India

How long does shipping from Australia to India take?

Express air freight takes 2 to 7 business days, standard air freight takes 5 to 14 business days, and sea freight takes 6 to 10 weeks to major Indian ports. These timeframes are a guide only, as factors outside PACK & SEND's control, including customs clearance, may affect delivery schedules. Your local PACK & SEND team confirms the expected timeframe when you book.

How much does it cost to ship to India from Australia?

There is no flat rate: the price depends on the weight and dimensions of your item, the service you choose (express air, standard air or sea freight) and any packing or handling it needs. Indian customs may also charge the recipient duty and GST on arrival. Contact your local PACK & SEND Service Centre for a personalised quote on your shipment.

Can I track my shipment to India?

Yes. Every PACK & SEND shipment to India includes up-to-date tracking with milestone updates: enter your tracking number in Track & Trace to follow each stage of the journey. Most services also include signature confirmation on delivery.

What items are restricted when shipping to India?

India prohibits or restricts used mobile phones and televisions, firearms and weapons, hazardous and flammable substances, wildlife products, unapproved medication and supplements, certain seeds and agricultural goods, and pornographic material. Items with lithium batteries must be booked through a Service Centre rather than online. Declare your contents when you book and we will confirm whether your item can ship legally.

Do I pay customs duty and GST when sending to India?

Most shipments to India attract import duty and GST, which Indian customs calculates on the value of the goods plus freight and associated charges, based on the HS code. The recipient normally pays these charges before delivery. Gifts get no exemption: India removed the duty-free gift allowance in 2019, so gifts are charged at the same rates as other imports. PACK & SEND prepares your customs declaration and paperwork to keep clearance smooth.

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