Ordering Indian Food from India to the USA

Most people abroad assume ordering food from India is complicated, slow, or likely to be seized. It is none of those things if it is done properly. Here is exactly how it works.

What US customs actually allows

Commercially packaged, shelf-stable vegetarian food is admissible. That covers mithai, namkeen, biscuits, pickles, spices and podi. What causes problems is fresh produce, meat, and anything homemade in an unmarked container. Everything we ship is commercially packaged and declared.

DDP, and why it matters

Delivered Duty Paid means the sender pays the duty before the parcel moves. Without it, DHL calls you for payment before delivery and the bill can be a third of the order value. Always check whether duties are prepaid. Ours are.

Timing

UK two to three business days. USA, Canada, Australia and Europe three to five. Orders placed before 11 AM IST go out the same day. That is air freight, not sea.

What it costs

Minimum order $100. Over $100 express shipping is free and duties are covered. Below that a shipping fee applies, which is why ordering a full box at once is far better value than a single item.

What not to order

Dairy is the one real constraint. The UK restricts dairy-based sweets, so ghee and khoya items are limited there while dairy-free namkeen and dry-fruit sweets pass fine. We flag this at checkout rather than letting you find out at the border.

Questions people ask