# Ordering from India - US Customs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526 "2016-05-24T05:46:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/1 "2016-05-24T05:46:33Z")
I would like to order some tapestries from a company based in India. Their site tells me I’m responsible for any US Custom fees. The Customs site is less than helpful. There is a office near by that I’ll try to visit to get answers, but I thought I’d ask here first. If it helps: Here is the company site: [ROYAL FURNISH](http://www.royalfurnish.com/tapestries-wall-hangings) …and one of the tapestries I want: [Twin Yellow Zodiac](http://www.royalfurnish.com/product/1596/twin-yellow-zodiac-meditation-yoga-tapestry-bedspread) I have never ordered anything from outside the US before. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/2 "2016-05-24T06:13:17Z")
If the order is less than $200, it’s [extremely unlikely](https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/126/~/mail---goods-requiring-duty) that you’ll owe anything: > [@](#): > > Note: Most personal shipments worth up to $200, and gift packages worth up to $100, will pass duty-free as long as the recipient does not receive multiple packages in a single day whose cumulative value is more than these amounts. ---
**Author:** ![Seren359](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Seren359](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren359)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/3 "2016-05-24T07:47:36Z")
Just order it. As stated for such a small amount they will not bother. In general it’s no big problem, Tax is often not collected and if it is just pay it and smile. ---
**Author:** ![Seren359](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Seren359](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren359)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/4 "2016-05-24T07:51:26Z")
The other thing is that they are NOT tapestry!:smack: Tapestry is a picture created by the weaving process. These are silk screen prints on cotton fabric. ---
**Author:** ![jpl1019](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jpl1019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jpl1019)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/5 "2016-05-24T21:35:47Z")
Echoing with others said–just order it. Usually shippers will record a lower amount on the customs form than what you paid. If you wind up having to pay, you’ll get a card from your postal carrier saying to come to the post office to pick up your package…and pay your duties. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/6 "2016-05-24T22:29:54Z")
I have at times ordered books directly from India. They come imbued with a strong smell of pesticide chemicals that takes many years to fade out. All such commercial shipments of books from India to America get smothered in pesticides at some point. I don’t know if that is done to any other items or if it’s just books. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/7 "2016-05-25T00:56:53Z")
Thank you for your replies. My main concern is being on a limited income, I don’t like surprise bills. It doesn’t sound like I have to worry to much about it. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/9 "2017-01-07T13:20:35Z")
reported ETA: wow, the spam I reported be disappeared already. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordering-from-india-us-customs/755526/10 "2017-01-07T19:55:12Z")
nmig