Ahmedabad: For sisters in Gujarat whose brothers live abroad, the thread of affection now comes with a steeper delivery bill. Sending a rakhi overseas costs 7-10% more than it did last year.The hike is being attributed to higher airfares and a weaker rupee against the US dollar, which have raised aviation-linked and overall logistics costs for cross-border shipments during the festival rush.Couriers to key overseas destinations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are seeing the sharpest impact, as demand typically peaks in the weeks leading up to Rakshabandhan. Gujarat, which has a large overseas diaspora, remains one of the biggest markets for international rakhi shipments, with families sending sweets, dry fruits, and gifts along with the rakhis to relatives abroad.International consignments sent through premium courier services generally cost Rs 2,500-3,000 this season, depending on the destination, weight, delivery time, and tracking facilities. Cheaper services are available, but customers choosing quicker delivery and enhanced tracking are paying more than they did last year.Ramesh Bhogayata, director of a leading courier company, said the rise is being driven primarily by transport and handling costs. “International courier prices have increased by 7-10% this year. The main reasons are higher airfares and logistics costs,” he said.Bhogayata said pricing varies across routes, but the average for premium services has climbed. “The cost of quality courier services has increased and is now around Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per parcel for different countries,” he said.Domestic courier rates, however, have remained unchanged this year, Bhogayata added.Courier companies continue to record growth during the festival season, despite competition from online marketplaces and gifting platforms that deliver orders directly to recipients.Ajay Mokariya, director of another courier firm, said younger customers are increasingly buying rakhis online and shipping directly, but the demand for traditional couriers remains resilient. “Younger women prefer selecting and purchasing rakhis online which they send directly to brothers in other cities,” he said. “Even so, the courier market is still growing at a moderate single-digit rate. Earlier, it used to be around 15%.”
