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Sending a parcel to India can be complicated. Customs checks, rising costs, and the risk of delays all add to the stress.
As one of Australia’s biggest trading and cultural partners, India sees thousands of shipments move between the two countries every day. Families, students, and businesses alike rely on couriers for everything from gifts to e-commerce orders.
With so many courier options, the real challenge is choosing one that fits your budget, timeframe, and delivery needs. This guide breaks down the top options and shows how Couriers & Freight makes comparing them simple.
Book the right courier at the right price with Couriers & Freight.
Get a Quote NowThe best courier to India depends on your budget, delivery urgency, and parcel size. Here are the top options:
Each courier has distinct strengths: DHL and FedEx for speed, UPS for bulk freight, Australia Post for everyday senders, and DTDC for affordability. The right choice comes down to what matters most to you: fast delivery, lower rates, or broader coverage.
To make comparing these options easier, Couriers & Freight makes it easy to compare live prices and book the best fit in one place.
Couriers & Freight simplifies sending parcels from Australia to India. In one dashboard, you can check live prices and delivery times across different couriers.
For a business, that might mean comparing the cost of sending a 20kg box of textiles with UPS against a faster FedEx service. For families, it could be deciding whether to ship clothes or books with Australia Post or DTDC. Instead of hopping between courier websites, you can see the options side by side and pick the one that suits you best.
It’s a top choice because you don’t just see rates, you can also see which couriers are fastest, most affordable, or most reliable for your specific shipment.
Booking through Couriers & Freight gives you choice, competitive rates, and the confidence your parcel will arrive safely and on time.
DHL Express is the fastest courier from Australia to India, making it ideal for urgent shipments such as business documents, product samples, or gifts. Parcels can arrive in as little as 2–4 business days to major Indian cities.
With reliable tracking and transparent per-kilogram pricing, DHL is a premium choice for those who prioritise speed and certainty. Through Couriers & Freight, customers can also access DHL Parcel International Direct, which combines express delivery with simplified customs clearance. DHL’s strong global network and proven track record make it a leading option for fast, dependable international shipping.
FedEx gives senders the flexibility to balance speed and affordability when shipping to India. International Priority typically delivers in 3-5 business days, while International Economy takes longer but is more affordable.
For bulk shipments, FedEx Economy Freight helps businesses save significantly on costs. Senders can also add Delivery Signature Options for extra security, ensuring high-value goods reach the correct recipient.
UPS has a strong global logistics network, making it particularly effective for heavier or bulk shipments to India. It also has proven expertise in customs clearance, which helps businesses avoid delays and ensures smoother cross-border trade.
UPS combines competitive rates with customs expertise, making it a trusted choice for Australian exporters handling complex international freight. Customers can also access reliable tracking for accurate delivery timelines. Its dependable service gives exporters peace of mind when sending larger consignments from Australia to India.
Australia Post is the most accessible courier option for personal senders and small businesses shipping to India. While not the fastest option, its Express Courier International service offers affordable solutions for gifts, letters, and non-urgent parcels.
Senders can choose from options such as International Airmail or Pack & Track International, each balancing cost and delivery time differently. With nationwide reach, Australia Post is a convenient and familiar choice for many Australians. It’s a practical way to send personal parcels overseas without high costs.
DTDC is one of the most affordable courier options from Australia to India. It’s a popular choice for budget-conscious individuals and small businesses. With lower per-kilogram charges than premium couriers, DTDC appeals to senders of non-urgent or bulk shipments.
A key strength of DTDC is its extensive coverage across India, including reliable last-mile delivery to rural areas and tier-2 cities where some international providers have limited reach. This makes it especially valuable for businesses shipping beyond major metropolitan hubs.
While DTDC is not as fast as express couriers like DHL or FedEx, it delivers dependable service at a much lower price point.
If you need a parcel delivered within days, DHL Express or FedEx Priority are the best options. For example, an urgent 5kg parcel of documents will arrive faster with these services. For non-urgent shipments, economy services like Australia Post are more suitable.
Compare per-kilogram rates and service types. DTDC and Australia Post usually provide the most affordable options, while DHL and FedEx offer premium services at higher costs. A 20kg non-urgent box, for instance, is often cheaper with DTDC or UPS than with express providers.
Smaller packages are typically cheaper with Australia Post or FedEx Economy. Heavier or bulk shipments are often more cost-effective with UPS.
Businesses that require real-time tracking should choose DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Australia Post provides only basic tracking updates.
Always add insurance for high-value goods. Premium couriers like DHL and FedEx offer comprehensive coverage, while budget providers may offer limited protection.
Example scenario:
Courier charges from Australia to India vary depending on weight, size, service type, and additional fees such as customs or delivery surcharges. Understanding these factors helps you manage costs effectively.
Since each courier structures pricing differently, it can be difficult to know if you’re getting the best deal. Couriers & Freight takes away the guesswork by showing live rates from multiple providers in one view. Instead of comparing couriers one by one, you can instantly see who’s fastest, who’s cheapest, and who’s most reliable for your shipment.
These cost-saving techniques ensure you get the most value from your courier to India, whether sending personal gifts or business shipments:
The best courier for your parcel depends on what matters most for you: speed, cost, or coverage. DHL is hard to beat for urgent deliveries, FedEx offers flexible service levels, UPS handles bulk shipments well, while Australia Post and DTDC give budget-friendly options for non-urgent parcels.
Instead of checking couriers one by one, save time by comparing them all in one place through Couriers & Freight. You’ll see live prices and delivery times side by side, then book the option that works best for your budget and delivery needs.
Get an instant quote today and ship to India with confidence.
Book the right courier at the right price with Couriers & Freight.
Get a Quote Now
MHP
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$14
$15.50
$0
$15.50
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
MHP Large Item
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$62
$62
$60.10
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
Residential Pickup
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Reidential pick up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential pick up 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
$0
$9
$158.87
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery up to 29kgs
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9.00
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Residential Delivery up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
--
$9
$158.57
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Tail Lift Pick up 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Dead weight over 32KGS carton freight
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$70
$70
$70
$14.75
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.20 - 1.54
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5.40
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.55 - 1.85
No Surcharge*
$17
$20
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.86 - 2.20
No Surcharge*
$37
$40
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Pallet Surcharge
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Hand Unload Fee Carton
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$70
$70
$70
$47
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Western Australia Regional Surcharge
No Surcharge*
%10
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Surcharges may apply to areas/deimensions not listed
**Prices correct of 16th September 2024
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