Imitation jewellery is small, light and valuable for its size, which makes shipping it abroad different from most goods. A carton of 400 pairs of earrings may weigh less than 10 kg but be worth several lakh rupees. The right shipping mode depends on weight, value, how fast the buyer needs it and who is paying.
This guide compares the three modes exporters use, explains the 2026 change to India's courier rules, and ends with a simple way to choose.
Mode 1: International courier
DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex and similar express services collect from your door and deliver to the buyer's door, usually in 3 to 7 working days to most markets.
Good for: first orders, re-orders under roughly 50 to 70 kg, urgent top-ups before a wedding season.
Things to know:
- The courier files the export declaration for you under courier mode, so paperwork is light.
- From 1 April 2026, India removed the old Rs 10 lakh value cap on commercial exports sent by courier. Higher-value consignments can now go by courier, which suits jewellery well.
- The price is per kilogram with a volumetric rule, so pack tightly. Big boxes of air cost money.
- At destination the courier usually clears customs too and bills the duty and tax to the buyer, or to you if you ship duty-paid.
- The United States ended its duty-free de minimis allowance for low-value parcels in August 2025. Even small parcels to the US now pay duty.
Mode 2: Air cargo (air freight)
A freight forwarder books space on a passenger or cargo flight from Mumbai to the destination airport. You need a customs broker at both ends.
Good for: shipments from about 70 kg to a few hundred kilograms, planned seasonal stock.
Things to know:
- Airport to airport is typically 4 to 10 days including clearance, then local delivery.
- The cost per kilogram falls as weight rises, so it often beats courier above roughly 70 to 100 kg.
- There are more hand-offs: forwarder, Indian broker, airline, the buyer's broker. Clean documents matter more.
- The buyer usually arranges import clearance, so agree the Incoterm clearly. See EXW vs FOB vs CIF.
Mode 3: Sea freight
Goods go in a shared container (LCL, less than container load) or a full container (FCL) from Nhava Sheva near Mumbai.
Good for: large, planned orders where time is not critical, often mixed with other goods the buyer is bringing in.
Things to know:
- Port to port is roughly 3 to 6 weeks depending on the route, plus clearance.
- For jewellery alone sea freight rarely makes sense, because the goods are so light for their value. It works when the buyer consolidates jewellery with garments or other goods.
- Long voyages mean humidity and heat. Use anti-tarnish pouches, silica gel and sealed poly bags. See export packaging.
Side by side
| Courier | Air cargo | Sea (LCL) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical transit | 3 to 7 working days | 4 to 10 days | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Best weight range | up to about 70 kg | about 70 to 500 kg | large or consolidated loads |
| Paperwork | Courier handles most | Forwarder plus brokers | Forwarder plus brokers |
| Door to door | Yes | Usually airport to airport | Port to port |
| Cost per kg | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
Insurance and loss
Jewellery is a common target for theft and couriers limit their liability. Declare the true value on the invoice and buy cargo insurance for anything you cannot afford to lose. Photograph the sealed cartons before collection and keep the weight record: a weight difference at delivery is the first sign of tampering.
A simple way to choose
- Is it a first order or a small re-order? Courier.
- Is it under about 70 kg? Courier is usually simpler and often cheaper overall once clearance fees are counted.
- Is it 70 to 500 kg and needed within two weeks? Air cargo.
- Is it part of a bigger consolidated load, or not urgent at all? Sea.
Always compare the landed cost, meaning freight plus clearance plus duty plus local delivery, not just the freight quote.
How we ship from Mumbai
Jagruti's factory is in Kandivali East, Mumbai, close to the international airport. Export orders are packed by design code in sealed poly bags with anti-tarnish protection, and we can hand over to your courier or forwarder, or quote for dispatch on your chosen terms. Most designs are made to order in about a month after confirmation. See our export supply page.
Related: export documents checklist and overseas buyers and samples.