Sending Rakhi Internationally: Challenges and Solutions

Raksha Bandhan is a culturally important festival in India that emphasises the values of love, protection, and unity within a family. With Indians settling and moving abroad, this festival of sibling love has become a big deal within the global Indian communities. More people are sending rakhis across oceans to their brothers and sisters.

Due to this rising trend, online Rakhi shopping has also taken off! It went from a tiny 1.5% of sales in 2018 to 7% in 2022. People love the convenience of clicking a button and sending love weaved in a thread halfway across the world.

The big eCommerce players are profiting from this bloom. Myntra’s Rakhi sales went through the roof in 2022, especially in smaller towns. Meesho’s orders have doubled since COVID hit. Raksha Bandhan is a huge deal for Ferns N Petals, bringing in a third of their yearly revenue! Since 2020, they’ve grown 20-25% each year.

As and when demand increases, you’ll see rakhis and sweets being sent abroad to the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. This international shipping of rakhi from India across borders keeps families connected during this special time.

So, if you’re in the Rakhi business, you can’t just sit back and watch the orders roll in. There are some tricky bits to sending Rakhis abroad. You’ve got to plan in advance, figure out all the shipping rules, and ensure those delicate Rakhis don’t turn into a tangled mess en route.

To cash in on this Rakhi boom, you need to be smart about it and understand the challenges and solutions of sending Rakhi internationally so that you plan well.

Challenges and Solutions of Sending Rakhi Internationally

1. Distance and Delivery Times

Challenge: Long distances leading to potential delays

Sending a Rakhi to a place far across the globe is not an easy job. The vast distance can mean your customer’s carefully chosen Rakhi might arrive late at its intended destination abroad. 

The top six busiest ports in the world handle around 20% of the global shipping traffic, thus influencing the shipping times.

When sending Rakhis abroad, it takes a lot of effort from the shippers’ side to deliver the consignment on time. International shipping routes are complex, and your little Rakhi might change hands a few times, stop at different ports, and maybe even take a few detours. All this globe-trotting means your Rakhi could arrive late at its destination.

Solution: Planning and shipping well in advance

Start planning for Rakhsha Bandhan a month in advance. If you’re sending your customers’ Rakhis from Mumbai to New York, aim to ship it out at least 2-3 weeks before Raksha Bandhan. 

You must choose expedited shipping options and use reliable international courier services with tracking capabilities. This way, even if there are unexpected minor delays, the Rakhi will still make it in time for the celebration.

2. Customs and Regulations

Challenge: Navigating various customs and import regulations

Different countries have varying customs and import regulations. Some may have restrictions on certain materials used in Rakhis or accompanying gifts. Customs clearance procedures may add up to 1-5 days to international shipping durations, causing delays or resulting in the package being held or returned.

Also, recipients might have to pay additional customs duties and taxes, leading to customer dissatisfaction. 

Solution: Researching and understanding customs requirements for different countries

For instance, if you’re shipping a Rakhi to Australia, check out their customs website. They’re strict about bringing in plant materials so that fancy sandalwood Rakhi might face issues. Stick to synthetic materials to be safe. Also, always fill out customs forms honestly and clearly. Writing “gift” isn’t enough – specify “Rakhi – decorative wristband for cultural festival” to avoid confusion. 

Be upfront with your customers about any extra costs incurred due to duties and taxes. Nobody likes surprise fees! And if you can, use shipping services that handle customs duties in advance. It’ll save everyone a headache later on, and your customers will thank you for making the whole process smoother.

You may also consider using a courier partner for your business that can provide you with much-needed customs clearance assistance. The international shipping experts at established shipping firms, like ShiprocketX, have the right and updated knowledge about the changing rules and regulations of different countries and are also well-versed with customs clearance procedures.

3. Packaging and Protection

Challenge: Ensuring the Rakhi arrives intact and undamaged

There’s nothing worse than your customer’s Rakhi arriving as a pile of broken beads and tangled threads. Rakhis are delicate items that can easily be damaged during long-distance shipping. A study reveals that nearly 61% of consumers want quick deliveries without any damage. Rough handling, extreme temperatures, or moisture can affect the quality of the Rakhi and any accompanying sweets or gifts.

Solution: Using secure and sturdy packaging materials

Treat your Rakhis like a delicate treasure (because it is!). Use sturdy, waterproof packaging materials. Wrap the Rakhi in bubble wrap or soft cloth before placing it in a small box. Fill any empty gaps with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent movement.

Rakhis might get twisted or entangled with other items in the shipment during transit; tie it snugly around a small gift box or a piece of cardboard about an inch wide. This stops it from getting tangled up or squashed by other stuff in the package.

For added protection, place this box inside a larger, padded envelope, or box. If sending sweets, ensure they’re in airtight containers and consider using insulated packaging for temperature-sensitive items. 

4. Cost of International Shipping

Challenge: High costs associated with shipping internationally

International shipping can be expensive, especially for small items like Rakhis. Express services, which ensure timely delivery, often come with higher price tags. These services have quick and short international delivery timelines but can be costly. 

According to a survey, about 38% of firms worry about customer expectations of delivery times, while half of them want low/free cost shipping.

Solution: Finding cost-effective shipping options and services

Shop around for the best deals and compare rates from different courier services. Sometimes, online courier services offer more affordable options for small packages. If you’re sending multiple Rakhis, consider consolidating or bundling them in one package to save on shipping. 

Also, watch out for special Raksha Bandhan offers from shipping companies – they often have discounts during the festival season.

5. Time Differences

Challenge: Managing different time zones

When sending a Rakhi across the globe, timing can be tricky. Time zone differences can complicate communication about package status. It’s wise to think about cultural differences in different nations. For example, people in Australia might celebrate Raksha Bandhan on a different day than you do in India. 

Solution: Planning according to time zones

The key is to start early and pre-plan! Use world clock apps to keep track of time differences. Maybe, do a Google search to check when people are celebrating in the destination country. It’s better to send your Rakhi early rather than have it show up late!

For your package tracking, set up automated notifications that don’t require real-time monitoring. Consider using digital Rakhi sending services that allow for scheduled delivery of e-Rakhis, eliminating time zone concerns.

Conclusion

Sending Rakhis worldwide is a great way for siblings to stay close and celebrate Raksha Bandhan, no matter where they are geographically. But let’s be real – shipping internationally can be a bit of a headache.

You’ll need to plan ahead, figure out the rules for sending packages to different countries, and ensure your Rakhi doesn’t arrive looking like it’s been through a washing machine. Also, don’t forget about the costs – international shipping isn’t cheap!

But, if you do your groundwork, pack that fragile Rakhi in proper or appropriate packaging material, and maybe look around for the best shipping deals, you can make it work.  You can approach a trustworthy international shipping service like ShiprocketX to deliver your gift to your loved one on any continent. They offer multiple shipping options, like premium, premium plus, priority, economy, and express. You can thus choose the one according to your delivery time preference. ShiprocketX ensures swift and timely delivery of parcels.