What are the Documentation Requirements?

For Letters

• Customs declaration CN 22 should be attached to each item which requires customs clearance in the dispatching & destination country.

• If the value of contents exceeds 300 SDR or the equivalent currency of the country of dispatch CN 23 should be completed.

• The contents of the item should be shown in detail on the above document.

• The indication ‘Printed Papers [including books and Registered News paper]’, ‘Small Packet’ and ‘Literature for the blind’ should be made on the top of the address side.

• The word AIR / SURFACE / SAL is to be clearly indicated on top of the address side of article according to the service.

For Parcels

• Each parcel should be accompanied with a duly filled in dispatch note CP71 along with customs declaration note CP72 prescribed by the Postal authority.

• The contents of the parcel should be shown in detail on the above documents.

 What are the various restrictions?

• Customs Act prohibits import and export of certain goods.

• Senders and addressees in India are advised to ascertain the details of such restrictions from the web site of Indian Customs.

• Import and Export of many goods is allowed with valid licenses and permits issued by the competent authority.

• Export of narcotics is prohibited under the Customs Act

• Export of Coir and coir products is regulated by the Coir Board.

• Export of coffee and tea is regulated by Coffee Board and Tea Board.

• Export of antique items need the clearance from Archaeological Department of the Ministry of Education.

• Special permission of Reserve Bank of India is required to bring or send into India from any place in foreign country any coin or currency notes issued by Govt. of India.   

What are the General Prohibited Items ?

• Explosives, flammable or radio active materials noxious  and other dangerous and filthy  items

• Opium, Morphine, cocaine and other Narcotics

• Articles the importation of or circulation of which is prohibited in the country of destination

• Articles which by their nature of their packing may expose officials/general public to danger /or soil or damage items  postal equipment

• Coins, bank notes  currencies, gold and silver articles and precious stones and jewellery

• Live animals  except bees, leeches and silk worms

• Immoral or  obscene articles

• Insertion of any letters or correspondence in parcels

• Antique materials (Subject to Archaeology Department clearance)

 How can I properly ‘Fill, Pack and Post’ ?

Please remember that international parcels will be subjected to various rigors of transit like multiple loading and unloading while traveling over thousands of km using all modes of transport, manual and automatic sorting and examination by Customs and other agencies.

Here are some general packaging guidelines that will help you prepare your package for shipping

• Use a rigid box or PackPost box with flaps intact .

• Fill the box with adequate PackPost cushioning material (1 layer or 2 layers) like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, wood wool or shredded paper.

• Use strong tape designed for shipping. Tape the box with 2 layers of tape on the bottom. Reinforced, cross weave or water proof tapes can be used to provide stronger packing.

• Make sure that the address label has clear, complete delivery and return information.

• Place a duplicate address label inside the package.

• Silica Gel - Removes humidity in sealed packages. Prevents corrosion, condensation, rusting and fungal growth. It is ideal for all electronic equipments, leather goods and when items are stored for a period of time.   It is recommended that you use a minimum of 5 grams of Silica Gel per cubic foot (0.28m3), making sure that your package is as airtight as possible.

How do I Ship Fragile Items ?

Fragile objects like electronics, glass, ceramics, and artwork will require special packaging for safe handling. Packages containing these and similar items may require added cushioning or a double box

• Write FRAGILE on the box in more than one spot.            

• Please be sure that you wrap each item separately. Fragile articles need both suitable separation from each other and clearance from the corners and sides of the box.

• Each item should be surrounded by at least two inches (5 cm) of cushioning and be placed at least two inches (5 cm) away from the walls of the box. This will protect your items from product-against-product damage and shield them from the shock and vibration that can be conducted from the exterior of the box to its contents in transit.

• Bubble wrap (air cellular cushioning) is ideal for surface protection & cushioning of fragile items during the shipping process.

• Place the item in a box with other cushioning material inside it such as styro-foam peanuts.

• Make sure that the item is surrounded on all sides by packing material and that the box is completely full.

• Place more peanuts to the top of the box. Do not make the packing too tight.

 Use PACKPost packing boxes and filling materials. Please visit PACKPost Centres for professional packing services.

 Dos

• Affix customs declaration with full particulars of the contents and also furnish your instructions regarding treatment of parcels in case of non delivery to the addressee.

• Furnish complete/correct addressee/sender particulars in black letters.

• Affix correct postage.

• Use PACKPost boxes and pack the fragile items with proper cushioning using bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts,  foam sheets, shredded paper.

• Furnish the phone numbers/e mail  of the sender /addressee on the parcel.

• Furnish proper indications and labels for medicine / fragile items. Insurance is mandatory for coin, bullion, platinum, precious stones, currency notes & articles gold/silver.

• Please remember, insured value shall not exceed the real value of the contents of the article insured. 

• Registration is compulsory for any insured letter mail article and all foreign parcels.

• Perishable item may be adequately packed.

 Don’ts

• Don’t send dangerous goods.

• Don’t pack the parcel in a loose manner.

• Don’t send the liquid items with improper packing.

• Don’t send important documents/ jewels/precious stones without proper insurance

• Don’t send perishable goods (food items) by surface dispatch.

• Don’t send sharp items with improper packing which may injure the persons handling the parcel/cause damage to other articles.