Buying · 6 min read · Updated Jun 20, 2026
Import duties when buying from India: what to expect
When a parcel crosses a border, your country may charge import duty and tax. Whether that lands as a surprise depends entirely on how the seller ships. Here's what to expect — and how to avoid the doorstep bill.
What you might be charged
Two things: import duty (a tariff based on the product's HS code and value) and a local tax (VAT/GST/sales tax). Both depend on your country and the declared value of the goods plus shipping.
De-minimis: the small-parcel threshold
Most countries set a value below which they don't charge duty (and sometimes tax). The US threshold is famously high ($800); others are much lower. Under it, you usually pay nothing; over it, expect a charge.
DDP vs. DDU — why the same parcel can cost differently
- DDU/DAP: the courier collects duty and tax from you on delivery — the classic 'surprise bill at the door'.
- DDP: the seller has calculated and prepaid duty and tax, so the price you paid is the price, full stop.
How to avoid surprises
Buy where the delivered total is shown before you pay. haat estimates the landed cost — shipping plus duties — on the product page and itemises it at checkout, so nothing extra is owed when the parcel arrives.
Frequently asked
- Will I always pay import duty on a parcel from India?
- No. If the value is under your country's de-minimis threshold, you typically pay nothing. Above it, duty and local tax may apply unless the seller has prepaid them (DDP).
- How do I know if a price includes duties?
- Look for a landed-cost breakdown before payment. haat itemises shipping, duties, and taxes at checkout for supported destinations.