Deepavali sweets shipments to the U.S. plunge amid hike in tariffs and delivery delays

For the past 14 years, Soundravalli S. has unfailingly placed her order for traditional Deepavali bakshanams (sweets and savouries) with caterer L.V. Pattapa a month in advance. When the caterer sets up his Deepavali Mela at a wedding hall in the city, she visits, packs the sweets and savouries, and couriers them to her daughter’s family in California. This cherished tradition, however, may have stalled this year, as Soundravalli is unsure whether the package will reach on time.

“Such is the situation this year for us,” says Balaji Pattappa of Pattapa’s Catering Services, Triplicane. “It is only during Deepavali that elders in India take the time and effort to send their children’s favourite bakshanams to the U.S. With that impacted this year, we have had to reduce our production by about 30%.”

Customers choosing sweets at the Deepavali Mela organised by Coimbatore-based Friends Catering.
| Photo Credit:
S. Siva Saravanan

Deepavali sweets shipments to the U.S. have been significantly affected this year following the implementation of new tariff policies. As a result, shipping costs have risen sharply, and there have been unexplained delays in delivery.

“Our traditional bakshanams have a shelf life of 10-14 days. If there is any further delay in delivery, it defeats the purpose of sending them to families in the U.S. This seems to be the main reason behind the considerable reduction in shipments to the Indian diaspora this year,” says R.K. Venkatesan of Sasta Catering Services, Porur, who has set up a Deepavali Mela at Narayani Ammal Kalyana Mandapan in Mandaveli. “Increased tariffs have discouraged many of my customers from sending bakshanams to their families in the U.S., and I have seen a 50% to 70% slump in shipment from our kitchens,” says Mr. Venkatesan.

Kamesh Sridhar of Arusuvai Catering Services says that there has been a 25% dip in the consignments of sweets and savouries sent this year. The primary concern of the customers is the probable delay in delivery, even if they do not mind spending more.

“I do not mind the increased cost, but am concerned about the delay,” says A. Prema, whose son lives in San Francisco. “My son and his family visit every year, but it has been two years since they last came to Chennai. So this year, I decided to send all their favourite sweets and savouries, ignoring the higher cost and hoping they reach on time. I have shipped 10 kilograms via DHL and am keeping my fingers crossed,” says Prema.

D. Saravanan, from the international courier and cargo division of DHL, says shipments to the U.S. have been severely affected this year due to the tariffs imposed. “In addition, an emergency situation surcharge (ESS) of ₹150 per kilogram on shipments from India has further added to the burden. While consignments are reaching the U.S. within four or five days, recipients there also have to pay import duties before collecting the sweets. As a result, we have seen nearly a 90% drop in shipments. However, some families are still choosing to send packages to their loved ones,” he says.

Shipments to other countries, however, continue to move smoothly without any major disruption.

A special sweet stall organized by Kamalambal Catering at Vidhya Bharathi Mandapam, Mylapore, in Chennai. | Photo Credit: Akhila Easwaran

L.N. Srinivasan, proprietor of LVN Catering Services, Mylapore, notes that some of his regular customers who send bakshanams abroad have still gone ahead with their orders, and the shipments have reached their destinations within four days. “My customers are not deterred by the cost; their main concern is whether the delivery will be delayed or impounded,” he says.

Despite the challenges, families continue to find ways to keep the festive spirit alive. For now, many families are choosing to celebrate Deepavali with calls and video chats instead of couriered sweets.