How much does India Post charge for Speed Post to the USA in 2026?

For the United States (USA), International EMS (Speed Post) tariff starts at ₹1,050 for the first 250 grams, plus ₹260 for each additional 250 grams, plus 18% GST. A 500g document or packet costs approximately ₹1,545 including GST, which is 60%–70% cheaper than private couriers like DHL or FedEx.

How many days does India Post International Speed Post take to reach USA or UK?

International EMS to major metro destinations in the USA, UK, Germany, and Canada typically takes 4 to 8 business days for delivery, with complete end-to-end barcode tracking on indiapost.gov.in and the destination postal service (USPS or Royal Mail).

Can I send medicines from India abroad through India Post Speed Post?

Yes, medicines can be sent abroad through India Post provided they are for personal maintenance use. You must enclose: (1) Original doctor prescription with patient details and NMC registration; (2) Doctor certificate stating necessity for personal consumption; (3) Original pharmacy tax invoice matching batch numbers; and (4) Sender Aadhaar and recipient passport copies.

What is the difference between Customs Form CN22 and CN23?

Customs Declaration Form CN22 is a green sticker used for lightweight consignments under 2 kg valued below 300 SDR (~₹35,000 / $400). Form CN23 / CP72 is a comprehensive multi-part declaration used for parcels exceeding 2 kg or high-value merchandise requiring formal customs clearance.

What items are strictly prohibited in international postal parcels from India?

Prohibited items include standalone lithium-ion batteries and power banks, flammable liquids (perfumes, nail polish, sanitizers), compressed aerosol sprays, currency notes, gold bullion and precious gems, perishable raw dairy or meat foods, and prescription drugs falling under the NDPS narcotics schedule.

🌐 Global Shipping • India Post 2026 Tariff

India Post International Courier & Parcel Rate Calculator

Calculate International Speed Post (EMS), Air Parcel & Small Packet shipping charges to 210+ countries. Compare delivery days, verify medicine courier checklists, and generate Customs CN22 / CN23 declarations.

Coverage: 210+ Countries Savings: 60%–75% vs Private Delivery: 4–9 Business Days Tracking: End-to-End Barcode

Popular Global Destinations

Consignment Parameters

Select destination country and enter parcel weight.

Rates: 2026 Tariff

Destination Country

Consignment Weight (in Grams)

50g 0.50 kg 10,000g (10 kg)

Common Packaging Slabs

Customs Declaration Document: Consignments of this weight require official CN22 declaration attached in a transparent pouch on the package exterior.

DESTINATION & SLAB

🇺🇸 United States (USA) (500g)

Zone Group 4

How to Send Medicines Abroad via India Post (Step-by-Step)

Sending prescription medicines to children or parents in the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia is fully permitted under Indian Customs and UPU guidelines when supported by the following 4 mandatory documents.

1. Original Doctor Prescription

Must be issued by a registered medical practitioner with valid NMC/MCI registration number, stating patient name, diagnosis, daily dosage, and specific duration (e.g. 90 days supply).

2. Doctor's Medical Certificate

Formal letterhead declaration stating: "These medicines are for personal maintenance of the patient and are non-narcotic, non-commercial, and life-essential."

3. Original Pharmacy Tax Invoice

Must show chemist's Drug License (DL) number, exact brand name matching the prescription, batch numbers, manufacturing date, and expiry date.

4. KYC & Customs Forms

Sender's Aadhaar/PAN copy, recipient's foreign passport or PR copy, and filled Customs Form CN22/CN23 declaring HS Code 3004 (Medicaments).

Strict Prohibition: Narcotics, psychotropic substances (NDPS Schedule H1, sleeping pills, severe antidepressants), liquid syrups in fragile unsealed glass bottles, and medicines without original manufacturer strip packaging will be seized by Customs.

Customs Declaration (Form CN22 / CN23) Generator

Fill in your parcel contents below to generate the standard UPU-compliant Customs Declaration sheet required for Indian and foreign international clearance.

From (Sender Name & Full Indian Address):

To (Recipient Name & Destination Address):

Category of Item:

🎁 Gift 📄 Documents 👕 Personal Effects / Clothes 📦 Commercial Sample ↩️ Returned Goods

Detailed Item Descriptions & Value (in INR):

Detailed Description	Qty	Weight (kg)	Value (₹)	HS Tariff

"I certify that the particulars given in this customs declaration are correct and that this item does not contain any dangerous article, currency, or prohibited goods."

Date: 19/09/2026 Sender Signature: _______________________

Prohibited & Dangerous Items in International Post

Items banned under Universal Postal Union (UPU) and Indian Customs regulations. Shipping these will result in return, fines, or seizure.

🔋

Lithium Batteries & Power Banks Loose lithium-ion batteries and power banks are strictly prohibited due to aviation fire hazards. (Laptops/phones with built-in batteries require special cargo authorization).

💨

Perfumes, Sprays & Flammables Alcohol-based perfumes, deodorants, nail polish, sanitizers, and pressurized aerosol cans cannot be shipped via air mail.

💵

Currency & Bullion Bank notes, coins, gold bars, platinum, and unmounted precious gems are illegal to export via standard postal channels without RBI export license.

🥩

Perishable Meat & Dairy Raw meat, homemade perishable curries, and unpasteurized dairy are banned by US/UK biosecurity customs. Packaged commercial dry sweets are allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions – International Speed Post & Parcels

Answers to common questions regarding customs duties, tracking, and international postal delivery.

How can I track my international Speed Post parcel once it leaves India?

International EMS consignments are tracked seamlessly via the 13-character tracking number (e.g. EE123456789IN). While in India, you can track it on the India Post portal. Once the parcel lands in the destination country, you can track it directly on the destination national postal portal (e.g., USPS for the USA, Royal Mail for the UK, Canada Post for Canada, and Australia Post for Australia) with granular doorstep delivery alerts.

Will the recipient abroad have to pay customs duty or taxes?

It depends on the destination country's de minimis tax threshold. For example, the USA allows duty-free gifts up to $100 (and merchandise up to $800). The UK exempts gifts valued under £39 from VAT and customs duty. If the declared value exceeds these thresholds, the foreign postal service will collect local import VAT / duty from the recipient prior to delivery.

What packaging should I use for international parcels at the post office?

India Post requires international parcels to be packed securely in strong corrugated boxes. Traditional cloth stitching (white muslin cloth sewn around the box) is accepted and encouraged for security by many Head Post Offices. The customs pouch must be taped flat on the exterior with the CN22 or CN23 declaration clearly readable without opening the box.

Which post offices in India accept International Speed Post (EMS) bookings?

All Head Post Offices (HOs), major Sub Post Offices (SOs), and designated International Business Centers (IBCs) across India accept International EMS and parcel bookings. Rural Branch Post Offices (BOs) cannot book international parcels directly; you should visit your nearest Sub Post Office or Head Post Office.