Receiving postal packages from USA in India?

esteci

Expats: What has been your experience receiving packages in India? Have people in the States sent you things via US Post, and have they arrived safely and in a timely manner?

Is there a particular service that's been more reliable (ie compare US Post with UPS or Fed-Ex)?

What advice would you give people at home who want to send you care packages?

Thanks! I've learned a lot from this board from you all!

cristinb

I don't currently live in India, but my boyfriend does. I have sent packages to him several times via the U.S. Postal Service, and haven't run into any major problems. There was one small envelope that never reached him, but he wasn't at home for two weeks to receive it, so I'm guessing that was the biggest problem. It can be costly to send something heavy and fast. I try to keep each package under 5 lbs., and I go with 7-10 business day express mail. It usually ends up costing me around $30. I once sent something heavier via the slowest option (the post office said 4-6 weeks), and I think it took about two months to reach him in Mumbai. Ever since then, I go with the fast, but not fastest option. FedEx and UPS are extremely pricey, but then again, you get really fast service, so it just depends on how soon you/they want it to arrive.

Nick-H

I receive ordinary post and occasional packages from UK without any problem.

The only thing that totally failed to arrive was my IndiaMike Tee-shirt from USA. I guess some customs officer must have found it irresistible.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

suzi

My husband and I have received in the past year around 5 packages from friends/family in the US. Usually the packages are quite heavy (containing food items that we crave and simply can't get here in Bangalore) so our friends/family have shipped via the cheapest option which is US Post. We just received a package that was sent on January 9 last week (around Feb. 13) but we have had packages take much longer than that. My parents sent a package that took around 3-4 months to reach but somewhere between 1 and a half to 2 months has generally been our experience. As far as advice goes I would STRONGLY advise that the box be packed very tightly. You would not believe the state that boxes are in when they arrive on your doorstep, they are just demolished. By packing the box FULL there is less opportunity for the contents to shift and it also helps the box to keep its shape. The box that my parents sent was packed really well and it made it to us in great shape while others that have a lot of empty space arrive destroyed and sadly some of the contents burst open and were thus inedible. However, we have safely received plenty of candy and snacks (even potato chips if you can believe that) so you should not have much problem receiving a package, as long as you can be patient.

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I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps

crvlvr

Keep in mind that the Indian customs has the right to inspect every incoming international package -- and they do if the package looks enticing. If you are sending aything of material value, use FedEx and the like who take responsibility for customs clearance and delivery.

Nick-H

Too right!

I've collected unaccompanied baggage from the airport depot --- and seen a lot of pretty rough looking stuff there.

Also, if customs decide to 'sample' your package, they may well slash the side of the box. I was upset they did this (we managed to get an officer to give us a personal look over) to one of our boxes as it was a new box, but the reason for it is completely understandable. The alternative would have been waiting in the day-long queue for the standard x-ray machine check.