Everything you need to know about ordering handmade Indian art from Rupasya to your doorstep — processing times, packaging, customs, and country-specific details.
Bringing handcrafted Indian art into your home, wherever you are in the world, is something we take seriously. Every international order placed with Rupasya is looked after with care — from the moment it leaves the artist's workbench to the moment it reaches your door.
Shipping a handmade piece across borders involves several stages: production, careful packaging, export paperwork, customs clearance, and final delivery. To keep this process reliable, we ship via India Post (International Speed Post/EMS) for standard orders and DHL Express for higher-value, fragile, custom, or time-sensitive pieces — both offering tracking and customs support suited to handmade artwork.
This guide walks you through that entire journey, so you know exactly what to expect at every stage — from the moment you place your order to the moment you unbox it.
Buying a hand-painted piece from abroad often raises practical questions — how long production takes, whether a piece is ready to ship, framing options, or how a particular artform is best packed for transit. If you'd like clarity before ordering, you're welcome to message our team directly on WhatsApp or email.
We can help you understand:
This is especially useful for custom commissions, larger paintings, or orders on a deadline.
Rupasya ships to collectors around the world. Our regular international destinations include:
Beyond these, we ship to most international locations on request — wherever you are, we'll work to get your artwork to you safely.
If you have a preference between the two, let us know when you order — otherwise we'll choose based on the artwork's value, fragility, and your destination.
Once your order is confirmed, here's what happens behind the scenes:
During this window, your piece goes through a quality check, careful packing, and documentation preparation before it's booked for export.
Once your artwork is handed to our courier partner:
The exact timeline depends on your destination country and its customs process. Most shipments move without issue, though customs authorities may occasionally carry out additional checks that add a few days.
If you'd prefer your artwork to arrive on a specific date — say, you're travelling or moving homes — let us know your preferred delivery window when you place the order, and we'll schedule dispatch accordingly. You'll receive tracking updates throughout, and our team is available if you need help along the way.
Once your piece begins its international journey, protecting it becomes our top priority. We pack every international shipment using:
Heavier or more delicate artforms may need reinforced outer protection. Where wooden packaging is used, fumigation certification is provided as required under international shipping regulations. Every parcel is clearly labeled with handling instructions ("Fragile," directional arrows where relevant) and a country-of-origin label. A signed Rupasya certificate of authenticity is included inside the parcel with the artwork itself.
We keep our shipping charges transparent and predictable, based on the actual product price and shipping cost — nothing else is bundled in.
Additional charges may apply in certain cases:
If any additional charge applies, our team will confirm it with you before your order is processed.
Import duty and tax rules are set entirely by your own country's customs authority — not by Rupasya, and not by our courier partners. Because these rules vary by country, product category, and shipment value, we cannot calculate or guarantee an exact duty amount in advance.
Here's what you should know:
To keep your shipment moving without delay, we'll need a few details from your side. Once shared, our team handles the rest of the coordination and compliance.
Recipient details:
Accurate details here help avoid hold-ups during customs clearance and final delivery.
Value and safety documentation: In some cases, customs may ask for a purchase invoice, valuation certificate, or an indemnity letter confirming the declared value and condition of the artwork — particularly for fragile or high-value pieces. You don't need to prepare any of this in advance; our team handles the commercial invoice, packing list, and any export documentation required on our end, and will let you know if anything is needed from you.
If your artwork arrives damaged:
We'll review the case and work out the right resolution based on the documentation provided.
International returns involve customs procedures and cross-border freight, which makes them a bit different from domestic returns. We aim to keep this process as fair and transparent as possible.
Before your artwork ships: Most international orders are final once payment is confirmed. This is because our pieces are largely handmade and made to order, with production beginning shortly after confirmation — and once a shipment is in motion across borders, it generally can't be intercepted or redirected. That said, if something unusual comes up on your end, reach out to us at contact@rupasya.com or on WhatsApp and we'll do what we can to help.
After your artwork has shipped: Once an order has been dispatched, it is final and cannot be returned or exchanged for a change of mind, incorrect selection, or any reason other than the artwork arriving damaged or defective. To keep this fair:
Damage or defects: If your piece arrives damaged or defective, contact us right away with photos and details. This is the sole basis on which a post-dispatch claim is considered. We do not offer refunds on international orders. Where a claim is approved, we offer a replacement of the same or equivalent artwork; if a replacement isn't available, we may offer a repair instead. Each case is reviewed individually — we can't guarantee every request will be approved, but every one is looked at thoughtfully.
Minor damage: For small damage that doesn't affect the artwork's integrity, local restoration may be a better option than a replacement. Our team can help you assess whether that's possible for your piece.
Missing shipments: If tracking shows no movement for an extended period, or your shipment seems to be lost in transit, message us at contact@rupasya.com or on WhatsApp as soon as possible. We'll raise an investigation with the courier on your behalf. Most delays resolve within a few extra days due to customs holds or transit exceptions — but if a shipment is confirmed lost, we'll arrange a replacement once the courier's investigation confirms the loss.
Once your artwork is on its way, you'll get:
We continue to track every international shipment on our end and step in proactively if anything looks off, so you're never navigating the process alone.
Choosing a handmade piece means choosing something made slowly, by hand, with intention. That matters to us. Across time zones and borders, every international order comes down to trust — trust in the artist who made it, trust in us to look after it, and trust that it will arrive safely and become part of your home.
We don't take that lightly. Wherever you are in the world, thank you for letting us be part of that moment — it's what keeps these traditions and the artists behind them going.
Have a question before you order, or want to discuss a custom commission?
📱 WhatsApp: +91 70731 09753
📧 Email: contact@rupasya.com