Key Points

• 

  DTDC Plus and DTDC Blue: Maximum shipment value is restricted to Rs. 25,000/- per consignment.

• 

  COD /TO PAY/D Series: Maximum shipment value is restricted to Rs. 50,000/- per consignment.

• 

  Consignments booked under "F" and Regional series shall have limited liability of Rs. 100/- per consignment only.

• 

  Any content of declared invoice value greater than INR 1500 is recommended to be booked by the Consignor opting for carrier risk surcharge up to a maximum value limit as per the service category.

• 

  Over and above the maximum value limits the consignments should carry the insurance cover by the consignor as mandatory requirement.

• 

  Whenever the risk coverage is done by way of own insurance cover by the consignor a COF charge is levied at the rate of 0.2% of the declared value of the shipment content.

• 

  If a consignment is neither covered under carrier risk surcharge nor under its own insurance policy by the consignor (Owner's Risk), the maximum liability on any claim due to loss or damage is restricted to Rs. 500/-

• 

  All consignments under VAS and D series should be complete with all relevant documents like invoice, Tax forms etc as applicable. It is the responsibility of the consignor to provide the necessary documentation. Any failure in this regard to comply with any of the terms and conditions laid down under the contractual terms of the carriage will make all liability clauses on part of the carrier null and void.

• 

  Consequential losses of any kind will not be considered.

1. Duty & Thresholds

• 

  $800 duty-free threshold removed – most shipments (B2B, B2C, C2C) are now dutiable.

• 

  Gifts under $100/day may remain duty-free if:

• Shipper and consignee are both individuals.
• Invoice clearly states "Unsolicited Personal Gift" / "Personal Gift".
• Goods are marked/labeled as "Gift". Please mention "For Personal Consumption Only" in invoices.

• 

  Multiple shipments exceeding $100/day taxable, even if split into smaller consignments.

• 

  Effective duty will be applicable to existing tariff duty on the product + 50% additional duty as reciprocal tariff.

2. Documentation Requirements

• 

  Detailed product description mandatory – include what the product is, quantity, made of, intended use and country of origin.

• 

  HS Code mandatory: 6-10 digit HS Code required, depending on Network. When in doubt, provide 10 digits to cover all requirements. The US accepts 10 digit HSN.

• 

  Invoice Requirements:

• Shipping term should preferably be FOB.
• If freight/insurance included, show cost, freight and insurance separately.
• Currency and true declared value must be stated clearly.
• Fair value of the goods in invoice. — U.S. Customs has final authority.

3. Duty Payment & Clearance

• 

  Recipients or shippers must pay applicable duty.

• 

  If duty is not paid by shipper, then the consignee has to pay the applicable duty.

4. Additional Carrier-Specific Fees

• 

  UPS International Processing Fee (IPF): INR 219 per shipment from September 8, 2025: Applies to all UPS Worldwide Express services to the U.S.

5. Key Takeaways for Customers

• 

  All commercial shipments to the U.S. are now dutiable.

• 

  Gifts only duty-free up to $100/day, individual-to-individual (C2C).

• 

  Provide detailed invoices with HS Code, product description, preferably FOB terms and fair value. If terms is other like C&F then clear freight amount should also be mentioned in invoice.

• 

  The shipper or consignee has to pay the applicable duty.

• 

  For UPS shipments, expect a new INR 219 processing fee per shipment.

• 

  Always communicate duty responsibility with consignees to avoid billing disputes or clearance delays.

Definations:

• 
  Delivery” means tendering of a consignment to a recipient or intimation about arrival of the consignment to a recipient at the destination.

• 

  “DTDC” means DTDC Express limited or any of its channel partners or authorized representatives. C. “parties” means and includes Sender & Recipient or their authorized representatives.

• 
  “Parties” means and includes Sender & Recipient or their authorized representatives.

• 
  “Sender” means the person or organization tendering a consignment to DTDC for delivery and “Recipient” means the person or an organization entitled to receive the consignment.