Declarations that clear, and declarations that get opened
An inspector has seconds per parcel and no interest in yours specifically. Everything about a good declaration is aimed at making the decision to release it faster than the decision to open it.
Itemise, never generalise
"Gifts", "personal effects" and "sundries" are the three declarations most likely to get a box opened, because they tell an officer nothing and hide everything.
"2 × cotton kurta, 1 × steel water bottle, 3 × packaged spice mix" takes thirty seconds longer to write and materially reduces the chance of inspection.
Declare real value
Under-declaring is the most common cause of seizure and voids insurance. Customs authorities hold databases of typical values and flag outliers automatically.
The saving from under-declaring is a fraction of the duty. The cost is the whole parcel.
We declare what you actually paid, and we will not amend a declaration downward on request.
HS codes speed everything up
A correct six-digit code tells the system what the item is before a human looks at it. Our declarations are HS-coded by category automatically.
Where a product sits on a boundary between two headings, we tell you which we used, so you can correct us if you know your product better.
Physical packing that survives
Fragile items double-boxed with at least five centimetres of void fill on every face. Liquids sealed and bagged with absorbent material. Batteries in devices rather than loose.
Documents and the customs pouch on the outside, readable without opening. An inspector who can read the invoice through the sleeve often does not need to cut the tape.
In short
- Itemised declarations get opened far less than generic ones.
- Under-declaration risks the whole parcel to save a little duty.
- HS codes let the system clear you before a human intervenes.
- Put the paperwork where it can be read without opening the box.
Put this to use
A free Indian address takes under a minute and costs nothing until something ships.