While living abroad, your family or friends might miss homemade food. Thus, how to send homemade food overseas? So that your family members can enjoy homemade food while living alone. Meanwhile, you can call our agents to book your courier services with us. Our courier service offers you the opportunity to send homemade food overseas at an affordable price. 

Factors to Check to Send Homemade Food Overseas 

When you promise your loved ones to send homemade sweets or savoury items, they will experience a taste of home while living far away from home. Therefore, to avoid restrictions or being destroyed by customs, you must check specific rules and regulations for the destination you are sending it to. 

Homemade Food Allowed

• Dry snacks like chakli, namkeen, and mathri. 
• Sweets such as ladoos, barfis, and soan papdi must be non-perishable. 
• Pickles and spice powders. 
• Roasted nuts and dried fruits.
• Homemade spice blends or masalas.

Restricted Food Items 

• Fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Cooked meals should be vacuum-sealed and properly preserved.
• Items with high moisture content.
• Meat or dairy-based products, depending on the destination country.

Pack Your Food Adequately 

• You must pack your food items, such as pickles, powders, and snacks, in vacuum-sealed bags. This will extend the lifespan and prevent leakage.
• Use airtight containers or zip-lock bags inside a sturdy box.
• You must wrap your homemade food items in multiple layers of food-grade plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• While delivering, add cushioning like bubble wrap to prevent damage during transport.
• When you are sending various items, you must label each item clearly. 
• Moreover, if needed, mention “Homemade, and Not for Sale” on the label.

Choose a Reliable Courier Service

Many international courier companies deliver only food shipments from India. However, some even offer door-to-door delivery and help with customs documentation. 

Timing and Lifespan of Your Food 

Meanwhile, your homemade food items have a limited lifespan. You must avoid sending food that spoils quickly or melts easily, like chocolates or dairy-based sweets, during warmer months. 

• Choose non-perishable items with a longer shelf life.
• Deliver early in the week to avoid packages sitting in customs or warehouses over the weekend.
• Inform the receiver about the expected delivery date so they can promptly receive and store the food.

Fill Out Documents

While you send a food courier overseas, you need to submit specific documents to customs. One form involves a declaration form, which correctly mentions the items and their value. It also provides a short description of the food’s ingredients. 

Customs Duties 

The receiver may often have to pay customs duty, especially in countries like the US or the UK. Make sure the receiver is aware of this possibility to avoid surprise charges.

What is the Process to Send Homemade Food Overseas?

Our courier services efficiently transport packages from different sectors, such as food, apparel, luxury goods, or documents, across borders. Meanwhile, there is a process for sending homemade food outside India. 

Booking & Pickup

• When you book a shipment online or at a courier office, our agent will collect the package from the location or drop it off at a courier center.
• The sender fills out shipping details, including the recipient’s address and customs declaration form.

Processing

• The package is taken to a sorting facility categorized based on destination. Thus, you will be assigned a tracking number for real-time monitoring.

Customs Clearance (Export)

• Your courier will inspect the sender’s country, and necessary taxes may be assessed before export approval.
• If all documents are in order, the package is cleared for departure.

International Transportation

• Depending on urgency and cost, the package is transported via air, sea, or land.
• Major courier companies use hubs in different countries to manage shipments efficiently.

Customs Clearance (Import)

• The package arrives in the destination country and is inspected by local customs. Before release, Import duties must be paid.
• Some couriers handle customs clearance on behalf of the recipient.

Local Delivery

• After clearing customs, your courier is handed over to local courier partners for final delivery.
• The recipient may need to provide identification or pay any pending fees.
• The courier delivers to the recipient’s address.

Frequently Asked Questions