How to Send a Parcel to India
17 September 2025 | Editor's Pick | Most Popular | Tips and Guides
In this guide, you’ll find all you need to know about how to send a parcel to India from the UK, including the cost of sending a parcel to India, what you can and can’t send, customs forms, and packaging tips.
Best Shipping Options to India From the UK
Sending a parcel to India starts from just £10.86 with Parcel2Go.
We offer three main services:
Express – ideal for important business documents or customer orders, these services also offer tracked and signed options.
Economy – an affordable option for when delivery speed isn’t a priority.
Super Economy – perfect for non-urgent deliveries, these services can take longer to arrive but will help you save on cost.
You can find out how much it will cost to send a parcel to India by entering the weight and dimensions of your parcel into our quick quote tool.
At Parcel2Go, we work with the UK’s top couriers so you’ll always be confident your parcel will arrive safely. Choose from popular couriers such as Royal Mail and Landmark.
Cheapest Way to Ship to India
The cheapest way to ship to India is with one of our super economy services.
Evri Standard Parcelshop starts at just £10.86. You won’t need a printer to use this convenient drop-off service, and your parcel could arrive in around ten working days.
You’ll always get the cheapest postal rates when you book with Parcel2Go.
Not convinced? Our Lowest Price Guarantee means that if you find a comparable service cheaper elsewhere, we’ll refund the difference.
Do I Need a Customs Form to Post a Parcel to India?
You’ll normally need a Commercial Invoice when you send a parcel to India. But don’t worry, when you book with us, we’ll collect all the information needed during the booking process and will send you the paperwork once your booking is complete.
We’ve got lots of helpful information on how to fill out a customs form on our blog and in our International Shipping Hub.
One thing to be aware of when sending a parcel to India is that you’ll need to include your recipient’s ID number. This is known as a PAN number, an Aadhaar number, or sometimes a KYC (Know Your Customer).
How Long Does It Take to Send a Parcel to India?
If you’re in a rush, our express shipping options could deliver your parcel to India in as little as 2-4 days.
For those shipments where cost is more important than speed, you can choose our economy or super economy services, which can take around 12 working days to arrive.
What Is Prohibited When Shipping to India?
There are strict import regulations in India.
To avoid delays, ensure your parcel does not contain items such as:
- Liquids or creams of any kind
- Cosmetics
- Perishable foods
- Printed materials, films, or photographs that could be politically or culturally sensitive
To see a full list of items you can’t send to India, take a look at our prohibited items list. We always recommend that you check India’s Customs website before sending your package to check whether your items are allowed.
How Parcel2Go Helps Customers
We’re here to make sending a parcel to India as easy as possible.
- Free parcel tracking. We’re committed to helping during every step of your parcel’s journey. To give you extra peace of mind when sending a parcel to India, all bookings made with Parcel2Go come with FREE parcel tracking.
- Label free sending. We know that not everyone has access to a printer; that’s why we make sending a parcel easy with a range of printer-free couriers.
- Smart Send. Perfect for small businesses, our free shipping management tool will streamline your shipping process and save you up to 13% on delivery rates.
Comparing Prices from Trusted Couriers
We make choosing the right courier for your budget simple by doing the price comparison for you.
When you get a quote with us, you’ll be able to compare prices from the UK’s top couriers in seconds. It’s not all about the price though – you’ll be able to filter your results to compare delivery speed and other specific delivery requirements to find the ideal courier for your needs.
Packaging & Address Tips When Sending to India
You can address parcels in English when sending to India.
The way you address your parcel will depend on whether you’re posting to an urban or rural address.
For example, information required on a shipment to an urban address include:
- Name of addressee
- Profession
- Name or number of house and street name
- Locality (e.g. New Delhi)
- Postcode
- Country (in capitals)
The Universal Postal Union’s Guide has more information on the correct address format for both urban and rural deliveries.
Your parcel will travel a long way to India and may pass through several depots. Package your parcel securely by following our top tips:
- Choose a secure box. It can be tempting to re-use a cardboard box, but new is always best when you’re sending parcels a long way. A triple-corrugated box will give the most protection.
- Get the size right. You’ll want to choose a box that’s a little larger than your items. You don’t want them to be pressed up against the sides of the box, but don’t choose a box that’s too big either.
- Wrap items individually. Bubblewrap is great for adding a protective layer during transit. Wrap each item individually to absorb any knocks or jolts and pack the space around your items with more bubblewrap or packing foam.
- Seal it up. Once your box is packed, don’t forget to seal the top and bottom with several strips of strong packing tape.
Indian Public Holidays Dates
It’s a good idea to avoid sending your parcels during India’s public holidays, as they can affect delivery times.
Before you ship, make sure you check the holiday dates for the state you’re sending to.
Ready to post your parcel to India? Get a quote and see how much you could save with Parcel2Go today.