Overview
Getting authentic Indian groceries abroad has gotten dramatically easier over the past decade — most NRIs have some combination of a local Indian/South Asian grocery store, international shipping options from Indian retailers, and the option to bring items back after a visit home.
Local Indian Grocery Chains by Region
United States & Canada
- Patel Brothers — one of the largest Indian grocery chains in North America, with locations across many major metro areas.
- H-Mart — while primarily Korean-focused, many locations carry a substantial South Asian grocery section.
- Numerous independent Indian/South Asian grocers in cities with large Indian communities.
UK, Australia & Elsewhere
- Independent South Asian grocery chains are common in cities with large Indian communities — Southall (London), Harris Park (Sydney), and similar neighborhoods worldwide.
- Larger mainstream supermarkets in many countries now stock a basic Indian grocery/spice section, useful for staples even if not a full range.
Online Retailers That Ship Internationally
- Several Indian and diaspora-focused online grocery retailers ship internationally, covering spices, snacks, pre-made mixes, and pantry staples — useful for items your local store doesn't carry.
- Amazon and other major online retailers, both in India and in your country of residence, often carry a reasonable range of Indian grocery items with domestic or international shipping.
- Compare shipping costs and delivery times carefully — international shipping fees can sometimes exceed the cost of the groceries themselves for smaller orders, so it's often more economical to consolidate into a larger order.
Shipping Items From India Yourself
If you're visiting India, or have family who can ship items to you, this is often the cheapest way to get specific items not available through retail channels:
- International courier services (FedEx, DHL, and India Post's international options) can ship packaged, sealed grocery items — check the specific courier's restrictions on food items before shipping.
- Perishables, fresh produce, and certain seeds/plant materials are generally restricted or prohibited for international shipping — stick to packaged, shelf-stable items.
- Vacuum-sealed spices and snacks travel well in checked luggage if you're personally flying — see our Cheap Flights to India guide for booking tips.
Customs & Import Considerations
Every country has its own customs rules on food imports —
some spices, seeds, dairy products, and any fresh/perishable items can be restricted or require declaration.
Rules vary significantly by destination country and change periodically, so check your specific country's
customs/agriculture authority guidelines before shipping or bringing back larger quantities.
- Declare food items honestly on customs forms — undeclared food items are a common cause of delays or confiscation at borders.
- Commercially packaged, sealed items are generally treated more favorably than homemade or loose food items.
- If in doubt about a specific item, check your destination country's customs or biosecurity/agriculture department website before packing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally no — fresh, perishable, and homemade food items are typically restricted or prohibited by most countries' customs and biosecurity rules. Stick to commercially packaged, shelf-stable items when shipping internationally.
It depends on the item and quantity — for staples available locally, a nearby Indian grocery store is usually cheaper and faster. For specific items unavailable locally, shipping or bringing them personally during a visit is often more economical than paying international shipping on a small online order.
Declare food items honestly per your destination country's customs requirements — undeclared food is a common cause of delays or confiscation. Check your specific country's customs or agriculture department guidelines before your trip if you plan to bring back larger quantities.
Disclaimer: This guide is informational. Processes, fees, and rules can change.
Always verify with the official portals before applying.