📦 Packing & customs · Hyderabad

How to Pack and Declare an International Parcel

Protective packing and accurate declarations reduce avoidable problems, but carriers and authorities still decide inspection, duty, clearance and delivery.

📏 ÷5000 volumetric · measure before you rate
⚡ DHL ~2–4 working days · FedEx ~3–5 (express bands)
✅ Honest declarations · since 2008

Understanding volumetric weight

International couriers bill the higher of what the scale shows (actual kg) or what your box “weighs” by size (volumetric kg). A light but huge carton can cost more than you expect.

Once dimensions are set, book the right vertical: pickle courier, student baggage, documents or general international courier — each page shows packing standards for that category.

Volumetric Weight = (Length cm × Width cm × Height cm) ÷ 5000 If volumetric weight > actual weight → you pay for volumetric weight

Example: A box 50 × 40 × 30 cm → 60,000 ÷ 5000 = 12 kg volumetric. If the scale shows only 6 kg, you still pay for 12 kg chargeable weight.

Always measure your box before calling us — the size calculator on our website does this for you in seconds.

How to pack different item types

Quick rules our Hyderabad crew applies when they reach your door.

📄 Documents

Rigid envelope or hard cardboard — do not fold originals; keep stacks flat.

🍱 Food / pickles

Airtight jars, absorbent lining, outer carton marked FOOD — THIS SIDE UP.

👕 Clothes

Roll to save space; seal in ziplocks; avoid loose buttons snagging belts.

💻 Electronics

Original retail box if you still have it; bubble wrap on all sides; mark FRAGILE.

🏺 Fragile / ceramics

Each piece wrapped; foam corners; outer label FRAGILE — HANDLE WITH CARE.

💊 Medicines

Factory seals visible; prescription and pharmacy bill on top — see our medicine courier flow.

Tell us the item type when booking — our team brings the right packing materials for documents, food jars or fragile goods.

Customs declaration — what you must do

  1. Give an accurate description of every item — not only “clothes”; say “used clothing × 5 pieces”.
  2. Declare the approximate value in INR for each line where needed.
  3. For gifts: wording such as “GIFT — personal use” on the customs form when it applies.
  4. For medicines: attach prescription and pharmacy bill.
  5. For food: describe each line — e.g. “Mango pickle, homemade, 1 kg, 2 jars”.
  6. We prepare the commercial invoice — you review and sign.
Never under-declare value. Customs can reject or seize parcels with false declarations. We help you fill paperwork correctly.

Customs duty and tax — check the current shipment

Do not rely on a frozen threshold or percentage. Treatment changes by date, product classification, origin, value, quantity, destination and entry type.

Country What SLP checks What remains outside SLP control Payment position
🇺🇸 USAActual contents, value and current routeCBP classification, entry, duty, tax and inspectionConfirmed only when a prepaid-duty service is expressly booked; otherwise authority/carrier collection may apply
🇬🇧 UKActual contents, value and current routeHMRC classification, VAT, duty and inspectionConfirmed in the selected service terms
🇨🇦 CanadaActual contents, value and current routeCBSA classification, duty, tax and inspectionConfirmed in the selected service terms
🇦🇺 AustraliaActual contents, value and biosecurity-sensitive itemsBorder/biosecurity decision, GST, duty and inspectionConfirmed in the selected service terms
🇦🇪 UAEActual contents, value and current routeAuthority classification, duty, tax and inspectionConfirmed in the selected service terms
🇩🇪 GermanyActual contents, value and current routeEU/German classification, VAT, duty and inspectionConfirmed in the selected service terms
Since 29 August 2025, the United States suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for covered shipments regardless of value. For every country, declare the actual contents and value and obtain a current booking-specific explanation.

Country hubs: USA · UK · Canada · Australia · UAE · Germany

What is prohibited — across all countries

Some household items feel harmless but still break global courier rules.

✅ Commonly allowed

  • Clothes, books, used electronics
  • Sealed food where destination rules allow
  • Gifts under local thresholds
  • Documents, toys, household items

🚫 Never ship

  • Cash / currency notes
  • Narcotics / illegal drugs
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Live animals
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Biological materials
  • Explosive or flammable items

Food nuances: Food & pickles guide

Common mistakes that cause customs delays

Free pickup — Hyderabad areas

We inspect packing and paperwork at your door — Kukatpally, Madhapur, Gachibowli & beyond.

📍 Kukatpally
📍 Madhapur
📍 Gachibowli
📍 Hitech City
📍 Jubilee Hills
📍 Banjara Hills
📍 Secunderabad
📍 Ameerpet
📍 Dilsukhnagar
📍 LB Nagar
📍 Miyapur
📍 Kompally
📍 Uppal
📍 Mehdipatnam
📍 Attapur

Not listed? We still pick up — WhatsApp your landmark.

India-wide domestic courier

Need packing & customs help from Hyderabad?

Free home pickup · Correct invoices · DHL & FedEx you can track

Frequently asked questions

Packing, volumetric weight & customs from Hyderabad.

How is volumetric weight calculated for DHL and FedEx?

Multiply length × width × height in centimetres and divide by 5000 for typical DHL and FedEx air express. The courier bills whichever is higher — scale kg or volumetric kg. Use our dimensional calculator after packing.

Who pays customs duty — sender or receiver?

Usually the receiver pays duty and taxes to the carrier before delivery unless you arrange a prepaid duties service with us — confirm who pays when booking.

What happens if customs holds my parcel?

The carrier normally contacts the receiver for paperwork or payment. We send AWB tracking on WhatsApp so you can respond quickly — destination customs makes the final clearance decision.

Do I need to fill a customs form myself?

We prepare the commercial invoice and customs paperwork — you review the item list and sign where needed instead of drafting forms alone.

Can I send food and clothes in the same box?

Sometimes yes when food is sealed and described honestly — we may suggest split boxes if leakage risk or customs wording is cleaner separate. Ask before sealing.

What items are most commonly stopped by customs?

Undeclared or high-value electronics, medicines without supporting papers, restricted foods, loose liquids and shipments above value thresholds — declare clearly and WhatsApp photos when unsure.

How do I know what to declare as "gift" vs "commercial"?

Personal items not meant for resale are usually gifts — inventory or stock is commercial. Describe honestly and we advise wording for your destination.

Do you provide professional packing for fragile items?

Yes — our Hyderabad team brings bubble wrap, corner protectors and cartons at pickup when you book fragile handling.

Is there insurance if my parcel is damaged?

Carrier liability limits apply by tariff — ask us about declared value and carrier protection options when you book.

Can I add more items after the box is sealed?

Often yes if we reopen before the carrier uplifts from Hyderabad — we re-weigh and update paperwork. Tell us before the AWB is finalised.

The SLP Express Promise

Independent multi-carrier service · DHL, FedEx, UPS & more · free doorstep pickup & 3-layer packing · serving Hyderabad since 2008

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Free pickup & 3-layer packing

We collect across Hyderabad and bring the standard packing materials. The exact pickup slot is confirmed after address review.

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Clear, confirmed rates

Your confirmed SLP rate lists what is included, with no hidden SLP surcharges. Destination duty, tax or exceptional handling stays separate when applicable.

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Customs-document support

We help prepare honest invoices and shipment documents. The destination authority decides clearance and any duty or tax.

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Tracking and accountable support

We share live carrier tracking after activation and remain reachable on WhatsApp through delivery questions.

We compare suitable available services by destination, contents, chargeable weight, delivery need and rate.