This is my account on the shipping situation which exists currently in India when ordering from abroad. Specifically, this post talks about my personal experiences with eBay and USPS shipping. Here is what happened and the final outcome :-
1. Placed an Order on eBay
I ordered a Blackberry Curve 8900 on February 15th and paid the full amount of USD 399.98 the same day via PayPal. The seller had 98% positive feedback so I was pretty convinced that I was buying from a genuine seller and it all looked good. The product was NEW and had never been opened.
The seller shipped using USPS on a Flat International Shipping rate of USD 49.98. It was a little reassuring to see the eBay Buyer Protection has got YOU secured banner across the screen once the payment was complete.
The Price of the Curve 8900 was $350. So the total came out to be : $350+$49.98 = $399.98
2. Tracking Information
USPS is United States Postal Service and works much like the Indian Post here. After I placed the order I got to know USPS has a bad record for delaying shipments to over 30 days at times and 20 days waiting is a standard. I became a little worried but hoped I would get MY item in time.
The tracking information started showing updates from the next day – 16th February and the item reached India on the 21st February. Within 5 days of being shipped. I waited with my fingers crossed for it to clear the customs.
3. Custom Clearance
At the time of ordering i had completely forgotten about the import duty that is levied on imported products. I came to know that anything above Rs.10,000 attracts the custom duty. The Import duty on Mobile phones was 4% so, I really had no option but to hope things turn out fine.
The USPS tracking showed cleared Indian Customs on 22th February – the next day it arrived in India. I felt happy and thought I would get the same within 7 days now.
4. Ordeal Begins
The days passed, and from 7 days it became 10 and then 14 days! There were no updates on the USPS tracking and I called the Post Office of my area and as expected they did not have any information on the same. I contacted the seller and she did not respond so I filled a claim – dispute with eBay.
The seller responded soon after saying the item had “cleared” customs and might have “just got delayed”. I was told to wait patiently for some more days.
5. Foreign Post Office (FPO)
Then with every passing day I became more and more anxious, there had been no updates since the last 20 days and the FPO contact number seemed to be either busy or when it rang, no one answered. I sternly told my buyer to refund me the full amount which she confidently refused saying I should wait as the Seller is not responsible for time in Transit. I finally decided to visit the Foreign Post Office myself on 8March (Around 22 days after it was purchased)
As usual, most people I met tried to offer alternate solutions to the best of their ability – WAIT is what they said. Then as it happens, there tends to be a helpful guy among the rotten apples and he volunteered to track the package for me. Maybe he was touched by the miserable look on my face.
I had earned $400 and decided to invest in a Blackberry. I thought it would be a good gift for my birthday on 24th February but it never reached me in the expected time.
The item was finally traced to the customs. It said that the product had been detained on the 24th February. Exactly on the day of my birthday while USPS showed cleared Customs from 22th!!!! I was given a rather scary numerical number of the detained package and told to meet the customs official.
With a sad heart, I went to the officer’s table and was surprised to find numerous USPS packages, parcels scattered around everywhere. I thought my Blackberry must be here somewhere in those things. Anyways, I was told that MY ITEM was cleared today itself as its number to appear before the custom official for analysis was 8th March!
So, the product was lying with customs for more than 15 days detained! I was told that going by the general idea, Blackberry’s cost Rs.20,000 and 4% duty would be Rs.800 that I would have to pay to the post man when he comes to deliver the same.
Yeah, right. Even 8520 (Rs.13000) and 9700 (Rs.26,000) would be estimated at Rs.20,000. That’s the Indian Customs for you. I was shocked but couldn’t really do anything about it. The eBay payment receipt seemed just like a piece of paper.
I was told that it would now be delivered within 3 days since it got cleared today and there was no provision to take the delivery for the FPO itself.
6. The Last Step
I received myBlackberry Curve 8900 on the 25th day of ordering. Flat 7 day shipping be dammed, it took me around a month to receive the item. In the end, I did receive my item and was happy it reached me safe. Although, it was not as smooth as I had expected.
Next Time, I would prefer paying 5% – 10% more and getting the product from India only from the retail shop than go through this cumbersome and tiring process to endless wait. The funny thing is even after being delivered, the USPS showed the same 22th Feb status : Cleared Customs.
I hope this post helps others who might have purchased valuable goods via eBay US. The problem is with shipping through USPS. Instead of USPS, try to get it shipped using Fedex, UPS, DHL etc
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude,
I have the same problem. Can you give me the foreign post office’s address? I think i’ll have to visit them myself.
Hello Abhimanyu
I would suggest you wait for 30 days or so from the date of shipment of your product.
If things were in place, it should reach you after the applicable custom duty. Nevertheless, if you are keen to visit them, try visiting it at the below address :-
Nr Bal Bhawan, Bahadurshah Zafar Mg, Ito, Delhi - 110002The person incharge of Foreign Parcels is Mr. KP Singh on the 5th Floor.
Hope that helps
I was planning to order an ultra advanced digital b.p. machine from US through eBay. The model is not available in India. Its cost there is $60, and one retailer in India who got it shipped from there is selling it for Rs. 9000/-. But after reading your post I’m getting second thoughts. Maybe I’ll wait for the model to be available in India.
Hi Anshul
Well, you can order from eBay US if you need it urgently. It should not attract duty of more than 15%. Just get the same shipped via FEDEX, DHL or UPS. Just stay away from USPS and it should be fine.
Hi,
If I visit the foreign post office, can I get my item there immediately?
No. It’ll get delievered at your address only.
my issue is slightly different from the above. my ordered got shipped thru EMS, and as per the tracking it shows that its with the FPO at ITO Delhi, but unfortunately the address on it ( my address ) is no longer valid, as i had to shift house! ( so you can imagine sometimes the shipping takes so long that people change houses even!!! ).
Now i gotta rush down to the office, and try and convince them to release it to me directly and take whatever customs duty they need.
One query, if i let the shipment dawdle around in the FPO, then eventually it does get routed to my local post office ( in this case, faridabad ), and then the Post man will collect the relevant customs duty from me upon delivery right??? or do i go to the FPO everytime to pay the duty???
Thanks in advance.
JD
I was searching for someone who has personal experience of having a purchase from eBay US. I was also thinking of making a purchase of a mobile from eBay US because the prices are far higher than ebay.in (when converted from USD to INR) And sometimes, the model you want is not available in ebay India.
I couldn’t get here something, you said the item was detained and then it got cleared. In case of detained item, do they call consignee to visit?
Also, Does every City has a FPO or just in Delhi?
Lastly, Thanks for sharing your experience. I will certainly not go for USPS next time.
Not too sure about this one but I think the FPO is located at in cities that have international airports which receive foreign parcels.
Once it clears FPO it is then sent to the respective GPO of your area.
They do contact you invade they find something fishy like say you having ordered a commercial package or something.
Generally, if an item is detained as in my case, it gets alotted a number and is inspected when it’s time comes at the hands of the officer incharge. That’s what delays the shipment and you have no way of telling what’s going on in the meanwhile.
All you can do is wait 30 days after it reaches India ( if USPS ) otherwise FEDEX or UPS etc are no problems.
Hey there, your post is very helpful(having the same problem) cleared customs in 22nd May.
but i need to ask some questions if you don’t mind
firstly will my item arrive if i don’t go the FPO?
also if i go the FPO i can get to know whats happening to my package right?
lastly there is a international airport bangalore Right?/stupid question i know xP/
I reside in Hyderabad and I bought a second hand film SLR with two lenses and a flash from ebay US. The total cost of the item was $60 + $42 for shipping and handling.
Now the local post office has sent me a reciept and asking for a custom duty of Rs 5470.
I am in total shock and have raised a grievance but am not sure if it would be resolved. I think I have lost $100.00
Please let me know if there is a workaround.
Dude,
I have ordered my SONY Digital Reader (e-books) from E-bay on 27 July 2010. They have delivered through USPS. The price of the product is 250 USD. The current tracking status at USPS website is Into Foreign Customs, August 01, 2010, 10:56 pm.
What will be the customs duty any idea. I have to pay the customs duty kindly advise. As per your experience USPS service is very poor.
Regards
Vivek Sadevra
In my case an IPHONE is on its way to Delhi, India via Shitty USPS & Indian post venture. My case is very fresh as today on 22ndAUG10 the item shows at customs, after getting dispatched from Honolulu, US On 17th Aug10.
Anticipating delays i also went to the EMS office on 20th at BhaiVeerSinghMarg near St.Columbus School.
They shared the same that you may be called if so desired by customs, else i should get the delivery in few days from now.
As it is we have so much problems with our ancient post independence staff at most Sarkari institutions. I am of the opinion that one should keep a tight follow up & should remember that as British could discover much earlier that, Indians work only when given sufficient feed from the back (not feedback). How else can one rule a country like India for 200years. Lets remember our history & act accordingly.
Has anyone tried to find the actual position by filing an RTI?
In Delhi who/where is the PIO for filing the RTI?
I am expecting a parcel from the US, which was posted by Express International USPS in Chicago, and as per the tracking no. it left Chicago on 23rd Aug 2010.
I think we I will also visit the Customs website to see if they have made any suo moto information available for clearing parcels.
Dude’s ,
…. am waiting for a package from florida .. it was dispatched on the 9th of august ..Has any of u got ur packages ????? please reply all ur stories are really depressing
please reply !! tc
A very useful and positive writeup. I too am suffering at the hands of USPS-Indian Post nexus. My product arrived on 02 Sep 10 maybe i will pay a visit to the Foreign Post Office and the Indian Customs. I ordered a Alesis Performance pad costing $ 205 + $ 80 as shipping and handling. I am not sure whether after customs it will cost me more or the same price at which it is available in India. Lesson learnt buy from local marked rather than buying from US ebay or otherwise which is cumbersome and eventually more expensive.
Friends!
Is there any cheapest safe way to buy products from Ebay US and deliver it into india?
Hey… I am from Trivandrum. I ordered a Livescribe Echo Smartpen on ebay which was sent via USPS priority mail. I placed the order on 21st August. Today September 11th I got a mail from Postal appraising department Cochin, Kerala. With the subject – Offence: Import of goods by post without the coverage of valid import license contravention of sec. 3 TO THE FOREIGN TRADE ACT. etc etc…
I am asked to appear before the customs with all details within 10 days. Cochin is around 5 hours journey from here. Please guide me if you have any experience?
Hi I am from Aurangabad, Maharahstra. I got 6 scaled model airplanes shipped to a friend’s address in Delhi from the US in August. The item was sent thru USPS Priority Mail. It went into customs on 18th August and has been there since then!!
I tried sending someone with a letter on my behalf for clearing the same, but they said that the person whom it is addressed to should come in person and then they will open it and clear it accordingly. These are gifts for me as I am private collector and are completely non-flying, not electronic static models. I got a letter from custom on 17th Sept saying that they need a NOC from DGCA. The only reason for this would be that they are under the impression that the models are radio-controlled, which they are not.
So now since I am in Aurangabad and my friend whom it was addressed to left to the US bout a month ago and would return next year, I am left completely helpless.. I know that it has been detained and what they want, but I cannot contact them directly from Aurangabad.
Any help in this regard would be much appreciated…
The best thing to do would be to write a letter to them informing them of the items and the facts that you mentioned in a polite and clear email describing the models.
Well in that it would be nice if you could please let me know the email id. I have no idea bout their email id…
Thanks a ton in advance…!!
Send them a letter printed on an A4 Sheet via Speed Post. That’s more likely to grab their attention and will also give you a record.
[comment moderated]Indian customs, mera 2 package loot liya.Hi Joginder
Sorry to hear them however please refrain from using offensive language on the internet. Google is always looking you see.
Vaibhav
Thanks for the help. Also can you please advice of a trustworthy clearing agent whom I can contact in case nothing appears to happen even after me sending a letter to them. I dont have any idea about clearing agents and hence I would need help in this regard…
Thanks!!
Hi,
I have ordered the Iphone from eBAY US .. the tracking number is RA338490094US .. when i see here (http://ipsweb.ptcmysore.gov.in/ipswebtracking/) .. the item seems to be in Delhi and it says “send item to domestic location” .. does this mean .. they are shipping from Delhi to Mumbai ..
can someone please help .. Regards.
Hi Rohit ,
My friend sent me an IPhone 4 from US through USPS and it arrived here in Bangalore in approx 15 days. When it says sent to domestic location, means local carrier services will make a delivery attempt in another 5 days from the day status was updated…By now I hope you have your product…There are concerns with USPS but not the way described here…It is always better to get the insurance done in case if package is being sent from West to asian countries…Lets accept the flaws are everywhere across the globe…cheers
Rangesh
Hi Rangesh,
I am also thinking of telling a friend to buy a cell phone in US and shipping it to me, could you pls tell me a few things?
1. How much is the UPS shipping charge roughly?
2. What about customs, were you required to pay any custom duty? If yes, how much?
3. To whom did you pay the duty?
–Harshad.
yeah I ordered my iPhone 4 October 4th. and it’s still not been received :/
it was sent USPS standard shipping and I’m wondering if it’s gonna arrive at all it feels like a freaking eternity.
sir, i also have the same problem which you had with your blackberry curve.
It is delivered by USPS but i have buyied from amazon.com. I had placed the order on 2nd November 2010 and it was shipped by USPS on 5th Nov. I stay in JUHU which is a place in Mumbai so it is obvious that it will come at my home in JUHU have given my home’s address of JUHU but it is not delivered yet. The seller said that it depends on your custom department. So i want that do you have the no. of custom department and i will visit there so the process will get get faster ples….. help me.
Thanx
Kaushal
Hi
I have purschased Apple ipod touch 8gb 3 gen from ebay. The seller send the item via Express Mail International. Can you please let me know when i will receive my item. The tracking number is EG748554250US .
Hi Programming Kid,
These is a very good blog by you congraut. My name is Mee i have a question would there be Custom duty for used phones sent as Gift from a USA. My friend in USA as sent me 3 used phones 1.Iphone 2.Blackberry 3.nokia
would there be custom duty on this it as been mentioned as Gift and no Bill,s on that package.
Please help me with a clear idea.
Thanks
Mee
Hi Mee,
Did the customs charge any duty on the 3 phones you received as a gift?
–Harshad.
i purchased used motorola droid x from ebay US for 310 USD. I now realised that used mobile phones are banned for import..is it true?? if yes what do i need to do to clear it from customs..???
would appreciate any help
I have no idea on this one. I am not sure I can help.
Hello,
First of all thanks for your article. I have ordered a old manual lens and it has been sent by “First Class Mail International” of USPS from USA on 09/11/2010, almost two months back. Obviously I have not received the item yet. Now the problem is that “Fist Class mail international” does not have tracking. The consignment number is of the form “LC+9 digits+US”. When I visited FPO(Bahadur Shah Zafar marg, Delhi) they checked it in the computer and told that their database does have entry for it since it is sent by ordinary post. I suspect that it might have been detained by the customs but do not know how to find the “scary numerical number” that you mentioned. Can I directly contact the customs officer with the number issued by USPS? Please tell me where does the customs officer you met sit in the 5 storied building.
Thanks,
Sunil
Hi Sunil
I met a certain Sardarji on the 5th floor who was assigned my parcel. The detained parcels have a separate number and I don’t know how the clerk found it out. Their regular tracking could not locate it.
On the 2nd floor their was a large hall where 2 people were sitting. There the clerk helped me out. He took my USPS shipment number and went somewhere and came after 10mins with a detained number.
So, you might have to request them to check if they can locate it for you.
If the above exercise fails, you can visit the 5th floor directly and ask them to help you.
Hi,
i bought an item form ebay.com
it was shipped through USPS.
When i trck it it says attempted delivery for the past 3 days.
I called the local post office here at bangalore closest to my home and they tell me there is no parcel assigned to my address.
I don’t know what to do next because for the past 3 days everytime i check i see attempted delivery.
Can someone please share a similar experience with me and how he resolved it?
Thanks
Class: Express Mail International®
Status: Attempted Delivery Abroad
We attempted to deliver your item in INDIA at 6:15 pm on January 06, 2011.
Detailed Results:
Attempted Delivery Abroad, January 06, 2011, 6:15 pm, INDIA
Attempted Delivery Abroad, January 05, 2011, 5:34 pm, INDIA
Out of Foreign Customs, January 04, 2011, 1:08 pm, INDIA
Out of Foreign Customs, January 01, 2011, 9:17 am, INDIA
Arrived Abroad, January 01, 2011, 8:48 am, INDIA
International Dispatch, December 29, 2010, 7:14 am, ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)
Arrival
Processed through Sort Facility, December 28, 2010, 4:05 pm, SANTA ANA, CA 92799
Acceptance, December 28, 2010, 12:49 pm, FULLERTON, CA 92834
Electronic Shipping Info Received, December 28, 2010
This is exactly the problem with USPS shipments in India. Their tracking becomes unreliable when it enters India. Its a big problem. You have to just wait till it gets delivered to your home by local post service
Well,
the disturbing thing is I called the local post office here and they have no info on the package.
Well it shows it’s out of foreign customs so I actually hope there is no issue at that level, or could it still be stuck at the customs here?
I don’t even know which post office to visit here in bangalore, I’m a foreigner here.
please help.
I am not sure of you have a Foreign Post Office (FPO) in Banglore. The General Post Office (GPO) or local ones for your area will have no information on this. They’ll deliver it within 2 days when they receive it.
So, please try to find out if you have an FPO and then try contacting them. 25 days is what it took me so that’s the time one should expect.
The tracking is flawed. It should still be with customs
Dear Programming kid,
Ordered some videogame cds from a popular website and they have send it via USPS first class international mail.. Thats means i have no tracking number, only a customs id number given to me by the seller..
Any idea how would i know if my package is detained by customs and can i track my parcel in the mumbai FPO using the customs id number ???
Lastly how much time does it take on a average basis for a usps first class international parcel to reach india?
Thanks
Devershee
I’ve ordered twice from ebay.com, one express mail international and the other first class mail international, both took about 3 weeks to be delivered to me. For the First class mail i had to pay some custom duty at the post office…
I’ll suggest you go to the closest post office to your place. I received a notice from the post office with the amount I had to pay, I went there paid and collected my parcel. just give it some time….
HI My trackign info says, My Item cleared the Customs, any idea how long will it take to receive the package, I bought two RAM for my PC the cost is Rs. 8500 and with postage it came upto Rs. 10100. HOw much should I pay as duty, when that gets delivered?
Out of Foreign Customs, February 12, 2011, 11:36 pm, INDIA
Out of Foreign Customs, February 12, 2011, 2:23 pm, INDIA
Into Foreign Customs, February 12, 2011, 10:33 am, INDIA
Arrived Abroad, February 12, 2011, 10:05 am, INDIA
International Dispatch, February 08, 2011, 1:55 pm, ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
Arrival
HI My USPS express mail international, tracking info says, My Item cleared the Customs, any idea how long will it take to receive the package, I bought two RAM for my PC the cost is Rs. 8500 and with postage it came upto Rs. 10100. HOw much should I pay as duty, when that gets delivered?
“Out of Foreign Customs, February 12, 2011, 11:36 pm, INDIA
Out of Foreign Customs, February 12, 2011, 2:23 pm, INDIA
Into Foreign Customs, February 12, 2011, 10:33 am, INDIA
Arrived Abroad, February 12, 2011, 10:05 am, INDIA
International Dispatch, February 08, 2011, 1:55 pm, ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
Arrival”
God!
Why didn’t I saw all thez reviews before ordering!!!
I’ve ordered a $175 watch from ebay US,costed me 205 with shipping.
It was sent on 8th,status shows “sent abroad”…If it was sent on 8th lets say even 9th or 10th it should have arrived by 12th or 13th to the customs.but still there’s no update regarding the customs.
item falls below the 10k mark and even my seller is cooperating…
I guess have to wait for a couple of more days…
Any guesses if it’ll get stuck?
I had a similar exprerience with upsc, took a month to deliver me my earphones costing 25$ and when it finally arrived they slapped me with. a custom receipt of 800 rupees ,, what a rip off
Dear abby,
I regularly order gamecube games(second hand) from a popular US website..My orders are around the range of 20 to 80 $ which come to my place via USPS first class international to mumbai..
Customs randomly charge me 1000rs or 1500rs but there is nothing i can do but pay the duty to the postman who brings the items to my doorstep..
So i know it is a ripoff but there is nothing we can do otherwise risk losing the items..
Also for information sake all my orders(FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL USPS) have reached my place after (1 month+5-10 days)..
So i advise all buyers to wait for sometime (atleast 40days) before claiming for lost items…
Very nice article, thank you for posting your experience, it was helpful!
hi all,
just read through the entire page, for me delay was never the issue, as some of these items are not and probably never will be available locally, but the customs duty calculation was always the problem.
I don’t mind paying the legal import duty of these items, but don’t want to be at the mercy of whoever generates the final payment amount (must be some group B officials in some govt building), as is the case with your 20000/- fixed bracket for all Blackberrys. I’m pretty sure that the process to get that amount adjusted to the actual cost of the item will involve huge amounts of red tape, running here and there and lots of ass kissing sarkari people.
So, I tried to find an alternative, 20north runs this kind of customs clearing agency, where they mention the total cost for the item+shipping+duty upfront. They also let you send them a link for any item on any US site and order it for you. Price looks steep sometimes, but I never looked up the ITO schedule to find out any discrepancies.
The only great thing is that you know that you don’t have to pay anything extra to anyone (except octroi, as in my city) other than the upfront cost. Of course 20north will also be making a profit here.
for ref: I bought one Pure Komachi santoku knife, total cost came to 1400, delivery was within 20 days, 20north sourced this item from an Amazon listing and Amazon was the source.
There are also a few power sellers on ebay.in that carry listings of US items, and you pay by standard ebay paisa pay terms, but never tried them. Also, their price seems decided on demand rather than on the actual USD price of the item.