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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

POSTING RULE

Send Mobile Phones (Commercial) 🇮🇳 India

ANSWER

Can I post Mobile Phones (Commercial) to India?

ALLOWEDVERIFIED · 2026-07-26LOW CONFIDENCE

A phone can be posted to India; lithium-battery mail rules require the battery installed in the device, and import tax applies above the exemption.

QUANTITY / LIMITS

1-2 handsets; multiple new-in-box units are treated as commercial imports

DOCUMENTS

  • Commercial invoice or proof of purchase showing the transaction value

DECLARATION

Required at the destination customs authority

SOURCE

cbic.gov.in
Verify against the official customs authority before acting on this answer.Report a correction

Full Details

Posting a phone to India is permitted; two frameworks apply. Postal dangerous-goods rules require lithium batteries to be installed in the device (UN 3481) — loose spare batteries are barred from international mail. On the customs side Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) applies the ordinary parcel framework to the declared value: import VAT/GST at 5% / 12% / 18% / 28% IGST applies above the exemption threshold. India effectively removed the de minimis threshold for e-commerce imports — all imports through e-commerce operators are subject to customs duty and IGST. Non-commercial gifts and samples under INR 5,000 may be exempt. Business sample imports may have duty exemption. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) applies to all imports. Multiple new-in-box units read as commercial imports; single used personal phones (a repaired or forgotten device sent on) are routine.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Ship the battery installed in the phone, declare the true value, and use tracked service — phones are among the most-pilfered and most-inspected parcel categories.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

POSTING DETAILS

QUANTITY / WEIGHT LIMITS

1-2 handsets; multiple new-in-box units are treated as commercial imports

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

  • Commercial invoice or proof of purchase showing the transaction value

COUNTRY POSTING NOTES

India Post and customs assess all international parcels. No effective de minimis for e-commerce imports. Non-commercial gifts under INR 5,000 may be exempt. All taxable items require payment before release.

Sending Mobile Phones (Commercial) to other countries

RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog