#uscustoms
FedEx, UPS, DHL or USPS: Who collects duty on India parcels?
India to U.S. parcel customs duty may be collected differently depending on whether a shipment travels through FedEx, UPS, DHL or the postal network. CBP determines applicable government charges, while carriers may collect them and add separate clearance or advancement fees. When a parcel arrives in the United States from India, the delivery company may ask for payment of customs charges. That does not mea
FedEx, UPS, DHL or USPS: Who collects duty on India parcels?
India to U.S. parcel customs duty may be collected differently depending on whether a shipment travels through FedEx, UPS, DHL or the postal network. CBP determines applicable government charges, while carriers may collect them and add separate clearance or advancement fees. When a parcel arrives in the United States from India, the delivery company may ask for payment of customs charges. That does not mea
Customs duty email for a parcel? How to check if it is real
A customs duty email can be legitimate when a carrier is collecting import charges, but fake parcel-payment messages are also common. U.S. recipients should verify the tracking number, carrier, shipment details and payment portal before entering card or personal information. An email or text demanding customs duty on a parcel from India should not automatically be treated as either genuine or fraudulent. Shipping companies can legitimately con
Customs duty email for a parcel? How to check if it is real
A customs duty email can be legitimate when a carrier is collecting import charges, but fake parcel-payment messages are also common. U.S. recipients should verify the tracking number, carrier, shipment details and payment portal before entering card or personal information. An email or text demanding customs duty on a parcel from India should not automatically be treated as either genuine or fraudulent. Shipping companies can legitimately con
Are gifts from India to the U.S. subject to customs duty?
Customs duty on gifts from India to the U.S. does not apply automatically to every parcel. CBP maintains a separate exemption for qualifying unsolicited gifts worth up to $100 per recipient per day, even as broader de minimis treatment remains suspended. A gift sent from India to a friend or relative in the United States can still qualify for duty-free treatment in certain circumstances, despite major changes to U.S. rules
Are gifts from India to the U.S. subject to customs duty?
Customs duty on gifts from India to the U.S. does not apply automatically to every parcel. CBP maintains a separate exemption for qualifying unsolicited gifts worth up to $100 per recipient per day, even as broader de minimis treatment remains suspended. A gift sent from India to a friend or relative in the United States can still qualify for duty-free treatment in certain circumstances, despite major changes to U.S. rules
India-to-U.S. parcel charges: Duty, tariffs and carrier fees
India to U.S. parcel charges can include government customs duties and separate carrier fees. This guide explains tariffs, customs duty, brokerage, disbursement and processing costs, and why the amount due can vary by product, value, entry type and shipping carrier. A parcel sent from India to the United States can generate more than one type of import charge. A bill may combine government customs charges with courier fees
India-to-U.S. parcel charges: Duty, tariffs and carrier fees
India to U.S. parcel charges can include government customs duties and separate carrier fees. This guide explains tariffs, customs duty, brokerage, disbursement and processing costs, and why the amount due can vary by product, value, entry type and shipping carrier. A parcel sent from India to the United States can generate more than one type of import charge. A bill may combine government customs charges with courier fees
Why a customs bill can arrive after your parcel is delivered
A customs bill after delivery can surprise U.S. recipients of parcels from India. Carrier billing practices, shipment paperwork and current U.S. import rules can allow duties and related charges to be invoiced after delivery, depending on who was listed to pay them. Receiving a parcel from India does not necessarily mean every U.S. customs charge connected with the shipment has already been paid. Depending on the carrier,
Why a customs bill can arrive after your parcel is delivered
A customs bill after delivery can surprise U.S. recipients of parcels from India. Carrier billing practices, shipment paperwork and current U.S. import rules can allow duties and related charges to be invoiced after delivery, depending on who was listed to pay them. Receiving a parcel from India does not necessarily mean every U.S. customs charge connected with the shipment has already been paid. Depending on the carrier,
Why parcels from India to the U.S. may now face customs duty
Parcels arriving in the U.S. from India may now face duties even at low values after the $800 de minimis exemption was suspended. CBP rules and carrier billing practices explain why recipients can see customs charges, including invoices after delivery. Americans receiving parcels from India may now encounter customs duty or other import charges even on relatively low-value packages. The change follows the U.S. suspension of the de minimis exem
Why parcels from India to the U.S. may now face customs duty
Parcels arriving in the U.S. from India may now face duties even at low values after the $800 de minimis exemption was suspended. CBP rules and carrier billing practices explain why recipients can see customs charges, including invoices after delivery. Americans receiving parcels from India may now encounter customs duty or other import charges even on relatively low-value packages. The change follows the U.S. suspension of the de minimis exem
CBP Dog Nitro Detects Hidden $44K on Cancun Flight at Philadelphia Airport
PHILADELPHIA — A CBP canine named Nitro helped officers seize more than $44,000 in hidden cash from a passenger preparing to board a flight to Cancun, Mexico, at Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday, April 30. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the 54-year-old traveler initially claimed he was carrying only $10,000. However, officers later discovered more than $44,000 concealed inside separate envelopes in the passenger’s carry-on bag after Nitro alerted authorities during an outbound enforcement inspection. Why Was the Cash Seized? Federal law does not limit how much cash travelers can carry into or out of the United States. However, travelers must report amounts exceeding $10,000 to the U.S. Treasury. CBP officials said the passenger failed to properly declare the money and attempted to conceal the currency to evade federal reporting laws. Authorities seized the cash and later returned $240 before releasing the traveler. “This traveler concealed currency in multiple locations for the purpose of evading federal currency reporting laws,” Acting Area Port Director Elliott Ortiz said in a statement. CBP Says Currency Seizures Remain a Major Focus Nitro, a three-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever trained to detect currency, firearms, and ammunition, played a key role in the airport cash seizure. CBP said officers and agents seized an average of nearly $180,000 in unreported or illicit currency every day across U.S. borders during 2025, highlighting growing enforcement efforts tied to international travel and bulk cash smuggling investigations.
CBP Dog Nitro Detects Hidden $44K on Cancun Flight at Philadelphia Airport
PHILADELPHIA — A CBP canine named Nitro helped officers seize more than $44,000 in hidden cash from a passenger preparing to board a flight to Cancun, Mexico, at Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday, April 30. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the 54-year-old traveler initially claimed he was carrying only $10,000. However, officers later discovered more than $44,000 concealed inside separate envelopes in the passenger’s carry-on bag after Nitro alerted authorities during an outbound enforcement inspection. Why Was the Cash Seized? Federal law does not limit how much cash travelers can carry into or out of the United States. However, travelers must report amounts exceeding $10,000 to the U.S. Treasury. CBP officials said the passenger failed to properly declare the money and attempted to conceal the currency to evade federal reporting laws. Authorities seized the cash and later returned $240 before releasing the traveler. “This traveler concealed currency in multiple locations for the purpose of evading federal currency reporting laws,” Acting Area Port Director Elliott Ortiz said in a statement. CBP Says Currency Seizures Remain a Major Focus Nitro, a three-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever trained to detect currency, firearms, and ammunition, played a key role in the airport cash seizure. CBP said officers and agents seized an average of nearly $180,000 in unreported or illicit currency every day across U.S. borders during 2025, highlighting growing enforcement efforts tied to international travel and bulk cash smuggling investigations.
Australia, Japan Halt Some US-Bound Parcels as Trump Ends $800 Duty-Free Rule
Australia and Japan have become the latest countries to suspend some parcel shipments to the United States after Washington ended its de minimis exemption that allowed packages valued under $800 to enter duty-free. The rule change, set to take effect Friday, has disrupted global postal services already struggling with rising tariffs and complex customs procedures. On Tuesday, Australia Post announced a temporary
Australia, Japan Halt Some US-Bound Parcels as Trump Ends $800 Duty-Free Rule
Australia and Japan have become the latest countries to suspend some parcel shipments to the United States after Washington ended its de minimis exemption that allowed packages valued under $800 to enter duty-free. The rule change, set to take effect Friday, has disrupted global postal services already struggling with rising tariffs and complex customs procedures. On Tuesday, Australia Post announced a temporary
Man accused of sandwich assault on officer in DC faces prison
A Washington man is facing a serious felony charge after allegedly throwing a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer during a late-night incident in Northwest D.C. According to U.S. District Court documents, Sean Charles Dunn was arrested and charged with felony assault following the confrontation that occurred around 11 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street NW and U Street. Authorities allege that Dunn not only confronted the officers bu
Man accused of sandwich assault on officer in DC faces prison
A Washington man is facing a serious felony charge after allegedly throwing a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer during a late-night incident in Northwest D.C. According to U.S. District Court documents, Sean Charles Dunn was arrested and charged with felony assault following the confrontation that occurred around 11 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street NW and U Street. Authorities allege that Dunn not only confronted the officers bu
US Tariffs on Indian Gold Jewelry: What NRIs Need to Know Before Buying
Gold jewelry has long been a prized possession for Indian families living in the United States. Beyond its shine and beauty, gold holds deep cultural significance, representing family heritage, memories, and traditions passed down through generations. For years, many NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) purchased gold jewelry either by bringing it from India or buying it at exhibitions in the US. These purchases were both sentimental and practical — offering quality craftsmanship at reasonable p
US Tariffs on Indian Gold Jewelry: What NRIs Need to Know Before Buying
Gold jewelry has long been a prized possession for Indian families living in the United States. Beyond its shine and beauty, gold holds deep cultural significance, representing family heritage, memories, and traditions passed down through generations. For years, many NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) purchased gold jewelry either by bringing it from India or buying it at exhibitions in the US. These purchases were both sentimental and practical — offering quality craftsmanship at reasonable p









