Mauhurtika Rudraksha ships sacred beads, malas and gemstones from Indore, India to devotees in over 40 countries. Once a parcel leaves India it enters the customs system of your country, and that authority — not us — decides whether any import duty or tax is payable. This page explains exactly how international customs works on a gemstone and Rudraksha order so there are no surprises at your doorstep.
Who pays the import duty?
All international orders are shipped on a DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) basis. The amount you pay at checkout covers the product and the international shipping charge only. Any import duty, VAT, GST, customs clearance charge or courier brokerage fee levied in the destination country is payable by the recipient, who is the importer of record. Couriers such as DHL and FedEx usually collect these charges before final delivery, either online or at the door.
How customs values your order
- Customs assesses the declared transaction value on the commercial invoice, in most countries plus the freight cost (CIF value).
- Rudraksha beads and malas are declared as prayer beads / religious articles (natural seed).
- Silver or gold capped beads, pendants and gemstone jewellery are declared under the applicable jewellery / precious stone heading, which can carry a higher rate.
- Lab certificates (IGL / GTL) travel with the parcel and support the declared description and value.
Country-wise duty and tax snapshot
Indicative only. Rates change; always confirm with your national customs authority.
| Destination | Duty-free limit | Typical charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USD 800 | 0% duty below threshold | Prayer beads generally duty-free; state sales tax may apply. |
| United Kingdom | GBP 135 | 20% VAT + 0–4% duty | VAT is charged on value + shipping; courier adds a clearance fee. |
| European Union | EUR 150 (duty) | VAT 17–27% from EUR 0 | VAT applies on all imports; duty only above EUR 150. |
| Canada | CAD 20 | GST/HST 5–15% | Courier collects GST plus a brokerage fee. |
| Australia | AUD 1,000 | 10% GST | Biosecurity inspection possible on seed-based items. |
| UAE / GCC | AED 300 | 5% duty + 5% VAT | Fast clearance; jewellery items assessed on declared value. |
| Singapore | SGD 400 | 9% GST | Duty-free for religious articles; GST applies above threshold. |
| Rest of world | Varies | Varies | Check your national customs website before ordering. |
Documents we send with every international parcel
- GST-compliant commercial invoice with an accurate description and value.
- Airway bill with full consignee details and contact number.
- Lab certificate (IGL / GTL) for certified beads and gemstones.
- Packing list for multi-item and wholesale consignments.
We never undervalue a shipment or declare a paid order as a gift. Accurate declaration is the single fastest way through customs and protects your parcel from seizure.
Clearance timelines
Express consignments generally clear customs in 1–3 business days; postal consignments can take 5–15 business days. If customs requests additional information such as an identity document or import code, the courier will contact you directly. Delays caused by customs are outside our control and are not counted in our delivery estimate.
Refused or undelivered parcels
If import charges are not paid and the parcel is returned to us, we refund the product value after deducting the actual outbound shipping, return shipping and any duty charged to us. Parcels abandoned or destroyed by customs cannot be refunded. Please see our Refund Policy and Shipping Policy for the full terms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay customs duty on a Rudraksha order shipped from India?
It depends on your country. Most destinations allow low-value personal shipments duty-free up to a de-minimis threshold (for example USD 800 in the USA). Above that threshold, your local customs authority may levy import duty, VAT/GST or a handling fee, which is payable by you as the importer of record.
Are customs duties included in the price I pay at checkout?
No. All prices on Mauhurtika Rudraksha are shipped on a DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) basis. Product price and international shipping are collected at checkout; any import duty, VAT, GST or customs clearance fee charged in your country is separate and payable directly to the courier or customs on delivery.
How is Rudraksha classified for customs?
Rudraksha beads are seeds of the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree and are usually declared as prayer beads / religious articles or natural seed beads. Silver or gold capped Rudraksha and gemstone jewellery are declared under the relevant jewellery or precious stone heading, which can attract a higher duty rate in some countries.
Will there be a plant quarantine issue since Rudraksha is a seed?
Rudraksha beads are cured, dried and non-germinating, so they are treated as finished religious articles in most jurisdictions. A few countries with strict biosecurity rules (Australia, New Zealand) may inspect the parcel. We declare the contents accurately and include an invoice so inspection is quick.
What documents are sent with an international order?
Every international parcel carries a commercial invoice with an accurate description and value, the airway bill, and where applicable the IGL/GTL lab certificate for the bead. Correct declaration is the fastest route through customs — we do not undervalue shipments.
Can you mark my order as a gift to avoid duty?
No. Deliberately mis-declaring value or nature of goods is illegal in both India and your country, and it can lead to seizure of the parcel. We always declare the true transaction value.
What happens if I refuse to pay the customs charges?
The parcel will either be returned to us or abandoned by the carrier. In case of a return, we refund the product value after deducting the actual outbound and return shipping costs and any duty charged to us. Abandoned parcels cannot be refunded.
Do gemstones attract higher duty than Rudraksha?
Usually yes. Loose or set gemstones are classified as precious/semi-precious stones and often attract both an import duty and local VAT/GST, whereas plain Rudraksha beads frequently fall under a lower or zero-duty religious-article heading.
How long does customs clearance take?
Express shipments (DHL/FedEx) typically clear within 1–3 business days. Postal shipments can take 5–15 business days depending on the destination customs office. Random inspections can add a few days.
Are there export restrictions from India?
Rudraksha beads and finished gemstone jewellery are freely exportable from India under normal commercial channels. We ship through registered export-compliant courier partners with GST-compliant invoicing.
Need help before you order?
Write to mauhurtika@gmail.com or call +91 90092 31652 and our export desk will estimate the landed cost for your country before you buy. You can also contact us here.