Reading an international number
Postal services worldwide use the same 13-character format. The last two letters show where the item was booked: IN India, US USA, GB UK, CN China, and so on. Numbers starting with E are usually EMS (international Speed Post).
Coming to India: what to expect
- Before it reaches India, the sending country's postal website often has the most detail.
- On arrival, items go through customs at a foreign post office. "Held by customs" is normal and can take a few days.
- Duty is paid on delivery or at the post office against an official receipt. Payment links in SMS or WhatsApp are scams.
Questions
How long does international Speed Post take?
It varies widely by country and customs, often 1–3 weeks.
My parcel is stuck in customs. What should I do?
Wait a few working days. If it stays stuck, contact the foreign post office or customs office named in the status.
Can I track a foreign number here?
Yes. Any valid 13-character postal number works. Early scans may only show on the sending country's postal site.
More India Post help
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