Home food is the most loved parcel we send — murukku for students, sweets for Diwali, masala powders for a new kitchen abroad. With the right packing and a clear declaration, most dry and sealed food reaches safely.
Usually accepted
- Dry snacks: murukku, mixture, chips, thattai
- Sweets in sealed packs (check dairy rules below)
- Spice and masala powders, dry chillies, tea and coffee powder
- Pickles in leak-proof, double-sealed jars or pouches
- Rice, dal and flour in sealed packets
Generally not accepted
- Meat, fish, egg and products containing them
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and leaves
- Seeds for planting
- Home-cooked wet food (curries, idli batter) that can spoil
- Alcohol-based items
Country rules at a glance
- USA — food needs an FDA Prior Notice (we file it). Sealed commercial and homemade dry snacks are usually fine; no meat products.
- UK and EU — no meat or dairy in personal parcels. That includes ghee and milk-based sweets like palkova or milk peda.
- Australia and New Zealand — strict biosecurity. Seeds, nuts, spices, dairy and honey may be inspected, treated at the receiver's cost or destroyed. Declare everything.
- Canada — meat and dairy restricted; dry sealed snacks usually accepted.
- Gulf (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain) — sealed, labelled food generally accepted; no pork or alcohol.
Rules change and customs officers have discretion — we check your list before pickup.
Packing food the right way
- Seal each item in its own zip-lock or heat-sealed pouch, then a second bag.
- Put oily items (pickles, podi with oil) in rigid, leak-proof containers with tape around the lid.
- Label every pack in English: “Murukku (rice flour snack) – 500 g”.
- Pack food separately from clothes so a leak does not spoil everything.
- Fill gaps so nothing moves; use a strong double-wall carton.
Declaring value
Declare a fair value for homemade food. Under-declaring can delay clearance; over-declaring can increase duties at destination.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send homemade food from India?
Yes, to most countries, if it is dry or sealed, packed airtight and clearly labelled. Meat and fresh produce are generally not accepted, and some countries restrict dairy, seeds and nuts.
Can I send pickles and ghee?
Pickles can be sent in leak-proof, double-sealed containers. Ghee is a dairy product and is not allowed in personal parcels to the UK and EU; other countries may accept it when sealed.
Do I need any documents for food?
A clear item list on the invoice. For the USA, an FDA Prior Notice is required — we file it with your booking.