Shipping & customs
Last updated 18 Apr 2026
Gifts Gulf ships from India via DHL Express and DTDC domestically, and internationally via Aramex and FedEx, to 20+ countries. Who pays import duty depends on the destination and the Incoterms agreed on your order — this guide covers both, plus what paperwork you actually need to handle.
1. Know your shipping partner
Domestic India deliveries move via DHL Express or DTDC. Everything outside India — the full GCC plus 15+ other countries — ships via Aramex or FedEx, chosen automatically based on destination and speed at checkout. All partners provide a tracking number the moment your order ships.
2. Check your delivery timeline
Stock (unbranded) items: 1-3 days within Qatar, 3-7 days elsewhere in the GCC. Customized items add 3-7 days of production time on top of shipping. Bulk orders of 500+ units typically ship within 3-6 weeks door to door, production included. Timelines are indicative, not guaranteed — customs inspections, holidays, and carrier delays can extend them.
3. Understand who pays import duty
By default, the recipient is responsible for any import duties, customs clearance fees, and local taxes charged at delivery — unless we've agreed DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms with you in writing, in which case those costs are built into your invoice upfront and there's nothing to pay on arrival.
4. Check the rules for your region
GCC intra-region shipments usually carry no duty at all, since GCC countries share a customs union — only local VAT applies. Imports to India get IGST plus applicable customs duty, collected by the courier at delivery. EU and UK imports owe import VAT and duty above the de-minimis threshold — €150 for the EU, £135 for the UK; our courier handles clearance, with fees billed on delivery or prepaid through IOSS if you'd rather avoid a delivery-day surprise.
5. Gather the paperwork (there isn't much on your end)
We prepare the commercial invoice and HS/commodity codes for every shipment — you don't need to source these yourself. For corporate buyers, the one thing worth preparing in advance is your company's tax/VAT registration number if you want it reflected on the invoice, since that can affect duty treatment (e.g. EU B2B reverse-charge invoicing with a valid VIES-validated VAT number).
6. Choose DDP if you want cost certainty
If your finance team needs a single, predictable landed cost with no delivery-day surprises, ask for DDP terms when you submit your bulk inquiry. It costs slightly more upfront but removes the variable of duties being calculated (and billed) at the border.
7. Track your shipment
Every order gets a tracking number by email once it ships, and it's visible any time in your account dashboard. GCC customers can also request live tracking updates via WhatsApp.
8. Know what to do if something goes wrong in transit
Customs holds and inspection delays are the most common cause of a shipment running late — they're outside our control but we can usually help clarify documentation if a courier's clearance team has a question. If an item arrives damaged, it's covered under our returns policy: defective or damaged items are fully refundable within 14 days of delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay customs duty on my order?
How long does international shipping take?
Do I need to prepare any customs paperwork myself?
What's the de-minimis threshold for EU and UK orders?
Ready to move forward?
Get a bulk quote or talk to our team — we respond within one business day.