Quick answer
Small Indian sellers can ship abroad by international courier or India Post. Check what each country allows, prepare the export paperwork your courier asks for, price delivery by weight per country, be clear that customs duty may be due on arrival, and take online payment before shipping. Overseas shoppers can see guide prices in their currency.
Yes, a small Indian business can sell to NRIs and overseas buyers, and many do: sarees, handicrafts, jewellery, books, spices, snacks and festive items all travel. The basics are to check what each destination country allows, get the export paperwork your courier or India Post asks for, set delivery charges by country and weight, be upfront that customs duty may be payable on arrival, and always take payment online before you ship. This guide covers each step. Export rules change, so confirm the specifics with your courier and a CA or customs expert before your first shipment.
Who buys from Indian stores abroad?
- NRIs and people of Indian origin wanting festive wear, wedding outfits, puja items, books, snacks and products from home.
- Gift senders in India sending Rakhis, Diwali hampers or wedding gifts to family overseas.
- Overseas customers who like Indian crafts, textiles, jewellery, tea and spices.
Each group cares about different things. NRIs value authenticity and festival timing; gift senders care about delivery dates; overseas buyers need clear sizing, materials and care information in plain English.
What can I ship abroad from India?
Most clothing, textiles, handicrafts, books, artificial jewellery and packaged goods can be shipped, but every country has its own restrictions. Common problem categories:
- Food: many countries restrict homemade food, meat, dairy, fresh produce and some spices or seeds. Packaged, labelled food is easier, but rules vary.
- Liquids, oils, perfumes and aerosols: often restricted or need special handling.
- Batteries and electronics: lithium batteries have strict rules.
- Plants, seeds and wood: may need phytosanitary certificates or be refused.
- Medicines, cosmetics and Ayurvedic products: often need extra documents or are not allowed.
- Precious metals and stones: have their own export rules.
Before you list a product for overseas delivery, ask your courier whether it can go to each country you plan to serve.
What paperwork do I need to export small parcels?
For commercial shipments, couriers commonly ask for:
- an Import Export Code (IEC) from the DGFT, which most businesses exporting goods need
- your GSTIN, if registered, and an invoice for the shipment
- a KYC of the shipper (PAN, address proof)
- a clear description, HSN code and value of the contents
On the GST side, exports are generally treated as zero-rated supplies, and many exporters file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) to export without paying IGST upfront. Whether and how this applies to your small parcels is a question for your CA. India Post also runs export facilitation through Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras in many post offices, which some small sellers find simpler for low-value parcels; ask at your nearest head post office.
Declare values honestly. Under-declaring to reduce the buyer's duty can lead to parcels being held, fined or returned.
Courier or India Post?
| International courier | India Post | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Usually faster | Usually slower, varies by service |
| Cost | Usually higher | Often lower for light parcels |
| Tracking | Detailed door to door | Available on tracked services |
| Pickup | Often from your door | Usually drop at the post office |
| Paperwork help | Through the courier's portal | At the counter or export centre |
Aggregators can also book international shipments with several couriers. If you use Shiprocket for domestic orders through UpMinutes, check its international options and rates directly with Shiprocket, which bills its own rates.
How do I set international delivery charges?
International shipping is priced mostly by weight and destination, often with a higher rate for bulky parcels. Weigh your typical orders packed, get rate quotes for your main destinations, and set charges per country. In UpMinutes you can create delivery zones for any of 38 countries outside India, with rates by weight (first 500 g, then each extra 500 g), by order value, or per product, plus a delivery estimate in days for each zone. Our guide to delivery charges strategy covers whether to absorb or pass on costs.
How do overseas customers pay?
Always take payment online before shipping abroad; cash on delivery is not practical internationally. UpMinutes zones outside India are online-only. Visitors abroad can see guide prices in up to 12 currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, AED, SGD, AUD and CAD, so they understand the cost, but the order is charged in rupees through your Razorpay account. Their bank or card converts the amount.
To accept cards issued abroad, your Razorpay account may need international payments switched on, which can involve extra checks; ask Razorpay. Some NRIs with Indian bank accounts may prefer to pay by UPI or Indian cards. Our Razorpay setup guide explains the account side.
What should I tell buyers about customs and duties?
Import duties and taxes in the destination country are usually paid by the buyer on arrival, unless you ship on terms where you pay them. Surprise charges at the door are the biggest cause of unhappy international buyers. On your shipping policy and product pages, say clearly:
- "Prices exclude any import duties or taxes in your country, which are payable by you on delivery."
- typical delivery times by region
- what happens if a parcel is refused because of duties (usually no refund of shipping)
How do I pack for international shipping?
- Use strong boxes; international parcels are handled many times.
- Waterproof the contents with an inner bag.
- Pack fragile items with plenty of padding; see shipping fragile items.
- Attach invoices and customs forms in the pouch your courier provides.
- Keep the packed weight low by choosing the smallest suitable box.
How do I make product pages work for overseas buyers?
An exchange is expensive across borders, so product pages need to answer every question first time. Give sizes in the units your overseas buyers use as well as Indian ones: inches and centimetres, UK and US shoe sizes, ring sizes in more than one system. Explain Indian terms briefly, such as "blouse piece (unstitched fabric for a fitted top)". State materials and care plainly, and show the product beside something for scale. Our guide to size guides that reduce returns has templates for sarees, kurtas, shoes and rings. For crafts, telling the maker's story matters even more to buyers far away; see selling handicrafts online.
Plan around festival dates abroad
International delivery takes longer, so open festive orders for overseas buyers earlier. For Rakhi or Diwali gifts abroad, set an international last-order date a few weeks before the domestic one. Our festival calendar for 2027 helps you plan.
International selling checklist
- Products checked against destination rules
- IEC and other documents ready, confirmed with your courier and CA
- Courier or India Post chosen and rates quoted
- Delivery zones and charges set per country
- Online payment only, with international cards enabled if needed
- Customs and delivery times explained on your shipping policy
- Strong, waterproof packing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an IEC to ship parcels abroad?
Most businesses exporting goods commercially need an Import Export Code. Ask your courier and CA what applies to your shipments, since there are some exceptions.
Can overseas customers pay in dollars on UpMinutes?
They see guide prices in dollars and up to 11 other currencies, but the order is charged in rupees through Razorpay and their card or bank converts it.
Can I offer cash on delivery to customers abroad?
No. Delivery zones outside India are online-only on UpMinutes, and international COD is impractical in any case.
Who pays customs duty on international orders?
Usually the buyer, on arrival, unless you ship on terms where you pay it. State this clearly before they order.
