1. Shipment Acceptance
International shipments handled by Garuda Vahana International Couriers are subject to applicable Indian laws and regulations, export requirements, customs procedures, airline and security regulations, carrier conditions, and the laws and import requirements of the destination country. Garuda Vahana International Couriers reserves the right to decline, hold, suspend, return or otherwise restrict a shipment where the shipment or its documentation does not comply with applicable requirements. Acceptance of a shipment does not constitute a guarantee of customs clearance or delivery within a specific period unless an expressly guaranteed service has been confirmed in writing.
2. Sender's Responsibility
The sender is responsible for ensuring that all information and documentation supplied for the shipment is accurate, complete and current.
- Sender and consignee name and contact details
- Complete and accurate delivery address
- Accurate description, quantity, weight and declared value
- Purpose or nature of the shipment
- Required invoices, licences, permits, certificates and approvals
3. Customs Declaration
Every international shipment must be supported by an appropriate and accurate customs declaration. The description and declared value must be provided honestly and in accordance with applicable customs requirements. Customers must not intentionally under-declare value, misrepresent contents, provide a false description, misstate quantity, misclassify goods or provide misleading documentation. Customs authorities may independently examine, assess, revalue, hold, reject, seize or otherwise process a shipment in accordance with applicable law.
4. Customs Duties, Taxes and Government Charges
International shipments may be subject to import duties, customs taxes, GST/VAT, brokerage or clearance charges, storage charges, inspection charges, demurrage and other government or destination-related fees. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, such charges are generally payable by the consignee/importer or the party designated as responsible. Actual customs duty or tax is determined by the relevant authority and cannot be guaranteed by Garuda Vahana International Couriers.
5. Prohibited and Restricted Items
Customers must not tender prohibited, unlawful or unauthorised commodities. Examples include narcotics and illegal drugs; explosives and fireworks; firearms, ammunition and other weapons; counterfeit or pirated goods; stolen goods; hazardous or dangerous goods; certain chemicals and flammable substances; restricted batteries; human remains; live animals; certain plants, seeds and agricultural products; unauthorised perishables; and goods requiring licences or permits that have not been obtained.
This list is not exhaustive. Destination-specific restrictions may apply.
6. Restricted Commodities
Certain goods may require prior approval, special packaging, permits, licences, certificates or additional documentation. These may include food products, medicines and medical products, cosmetics, liquids, batteries, electronic equipment, plants and seeds, animal-derived products, chemicals, commercial samples, valuable goods and biological materials. Garuda Vahana International Couriers may decline shipments where applicable requirements cannot be satisfied.
7. Packaging Requirements
The sender is responsible for ensuring that the shipment is appropriately packed for international transportation. Packaging should protect contents against normal handling, sorting, loading, unloading and transportation. Fragile, liquid, breakable or sensitive articles should receive appropriate protection. Inadequately packed shipments may be declined or require repacking. Additional packing or special handling may attract charges.
8. Chargeable Weight and Dimensions
International courier charges may be calculated based on actual weight, volumetric weight or another applicable charging methodology. Final chargeable weight may be established after physical weighing and dimensional verification. Where verified weight differs from the weight initially declared, applicable freight charges may be revised.
9. Transit Time and Delivery
Transit times are generally estimates unless the selected service includes a guaranteed delivery commitment. Delivery may be affected by customs clearance, government inspections, security screening, airline schedules, flight changes, weather, documentation issues, receiver unavailability, remote-area delivery, import restrictions, strikes, civil disturbances and other circumstances beyond reasonable operational control. Customs clearance timelines are determined by the relevant authorities.
10. Customs and Security Inspection
International shipments may be inspected, scanned, opened or examined by customs authorities, security agencies, airlines or other legally authorised bodies. Such examinations may occur without prior notification. Garuda Vahana International Couriers is not responsible for delays arising from lawful inspection procedures.
11. Non-Delivery and Refused Shipments
A shipment may become undeliverable or be refused due to an incorrect or incomplete address, incorrect recipient information, receiver unavailability, refusal to pay applicable charges, customs clearance failure, missing documentation, import restrictions, prohibited or restricted contents, unpaid duties or taxes, or other circumstances beyond reasonable operational control. The shipment may be returned, held, stored, abandoned or otherwise dealt with under applicable procedures and law. Applicable return, storage, customs, handling or disposal charges may be recoverable.
12. Return Shipments
Returned international shipments may attract additional transportation and handling charges. Customs duties, taxes, storage charges or other costs may also arise during the return process. Return shipments remain subject to carrier acceptance and applicable customs and regulatory requirements.
13. Loss, Damage and Liability
Garuda Vahana International Couriers takes reasonable care in arranging transportation. International transportation may involve airlines, transportation partners, customs authorities, delivery agents and handling facilities. Any liability relating to loss, damage, shortage or delay is subject to applicable carrier conditions, applicable law and any declared-value or shipment-protection arrangement specifically accepted for the shipment. To the extent permitted by applicable law, indirect, consequential, special or business losses may not be recoverable.
14. Fragile and High-Value Shipments
Customers should disclose fragile, sensitive or high-value goods before booking. Additional packaging requirements, transportation restrictions, declared-value conditions, insurance requirements or prior carrier approval may apply. Garuda Vahana International Couriers reserves the right to decline shipments that cannot be transported safely or in compliance with applicable requirements.
15. Insurance and Shipment Protection
Where shipment insurance or protection is available, it is subject to separate terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and eligibility requirements. Insurance or shipment protection is not automatically included unless specifically confirmed at booking. Customers sending high-value goods should enquire about available protection options before handing over the shipment.
16. Claims and Investigations
Claims relating to loss, damage, shortage or non-delivery must be submitted within the applicable period prescribed by the relevant carrier, service provider and applicable law. Supporting documentation may include the shipment receipt or invoice, tracking/AWB number, proof of value, purchase or commercial invoice, photographs, proof of delivery or non-delivery, customs documentation and other information reasonably required for investigation. Claims are subject to verification and investigation.
17. Shipment Tracking
Tracking information is provided to assist customers in monitoring shipment progress. Tracking events may be generated by airlines, carriers, customs authorities, delivery partners and other service providers. There may occasionally be delays between an operational event and its appearance in the tracking system.
18. Use of Shipment Information and Documentation
Shipment-related information may be shared with and processed by Garuda Vahana International Couriers, transportation partners, carriers, customs representatives, delivery agents and other authorised service providers where reasonably necessary for transportation, customs clearance, security screening, delivery, tracking, regulatory compliance, customer communication, billing and payment processing.
19. Compliance with Applicable Laws
International shipments must comply with applicable requirements in the country of origin, transit countries and destination country, including export regulations, customs requirements, import regulations, aviation-security requirements, product-specific regulations, licensing and permit requirements, certificates and declarations, and applicable trade restrictions. The sender is responsible for obtaining required approvals.
20. Right to Refuse, Hold or Suspend a Shipment
Garuda Vahana International Couriers and/or its transportation partners may refuse, hold, suspend, return or otherwise restrict a shipment where reasonably required due to regulatory requirements, customs concerns, safety or security considerations, prohibited or restricted contents, inadequate documentation, packaging deficiencies, non-payment, import/export restrictions or suspected non-compliance with applicable laws. Where legally required, a shipment may be referred to the appropriate authority.
21. Circumstances Beyond Reasonable Control
Garuda Vahana International Couriers shall not be responsible for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond reasonable operational control, including natural disasters, severe weather, war, terrorism, civil unrest, government action, customs restrictions, strikes, airline disruption, security incidents, infrastructure failures, epidemics, pandemics or other force majeure circumstances.
22. Charges and Payment
All shipment charges are subject to the applicable quotation, rate card, booking confirmation or invoice. Additional charges may arise from differences in actual or volumetric weight, remote-area delivery, customs clearance, duties and taxes, storage, return transportation, special handling, inspection, repacking or other applicable services. Applicable GST and other statutory taxes will be charged in accordance with law. The customer is responsible for applicable shipment charges.
23. Customs Clearance Disclaimer
Acceptance of a shipment by Garuda Vahana International Couriers does not constitute a representation or guarantee that the shipment will be cleared by customs. Customs authorities have independent statutory powers to inspect, assess, hold, delay, reject, seize or otherwise regulate shipments in accordance with applicable law.
24. Important Customer Information
International courier shipments involve multiple stages, service providers and regulatory authorities. Customers are advised to:
- Confirm that intended goods are permitted for international transportation.
- Provide accurate shipment and recipient information.
- Declare contents and value truthfully.
- Provide required supporting documentation.
- Use suitable and secure packaging.
- Understand that customs duties and destination charges may apply.
- Verify destination-country restrictions for specialised or regulated goods.
- Retain shipment receipts and supporting documents until delivery is completed.
- Contact Garuda Vahana International Couriers before booking if uncertain about an item.
25. Important Notice
International courier services are subject to applicable laws, customs regulations, carrier requirements and destination-country rules. Prohibited and restricted-item requirements may vary by country and may change from time to time.
Customers should obtain appropriate guidance before shipping goods that are regulated, restricted, valuable, fragile, perishable or otherwise sensitive.