The cost to send mail to India depends on where you’re sending from and whether it’s a letter or parcel. For a simple letter, prices can be very low, while parcels usually cost much more.

Typical prices

Sending from| Item type| Starting price
---|---|---
U.S.| 1 oz letter or postcard| $1.70 3
U.S.| Small international package| $19.40 3
U.K.| International Standard to India| from £3.60 4
U.K.| International Tracked to India| from £8.10 4
U.K.| International Economy to India| from £3.50 4

What affects the price

  • Weight, because heavier mail costs more.
  • Size, especially for parcels and large envelopes.
  • Speed, since tracked or faster services cost more.
  • Extras like tracking, insurance, or signature confirmation.

India-side charges

India Post notes that registration can add extra charges on top of postage, such as Rs.150 per article for registered mail, with a higher fee for M Bags. That means the final cost can be higher than the base postage alone.

Simple rule of thumb

If you’re mailing a normal letter, expect a low stamp-level cost. If you’re sending a parcel, expect at least around $20 from the U.S. or a few pounds from the U.K., with the total rising quickly as weight and tracking are added.

In short: a basic letter to India is cheap, but parcels can range from modest to fairly expensive depending on service level and weight.