Ordering a Singing Bowl From Nepal - Shipping, Customs and Packing
We dispatch every singing bowl in 3 to 4 business days from Kathmandu by DHL Express, and delivery after dispatch typically takes 7 to 10 business days. Any customs duty or import tax is set by your own country and is paid by the buyer.
Key takeaways
- Dispatch: 3 to 4 business days from Kathmandu, by DHL Express.
- Customs: duty and tax depend on your country and are paid by the buyer.
- Packing: bowl, mallet and cushion in one padded box.
- Tracking: a DHL tracking number comes with every order.
How long does shipping from Nepal take?
| Stage | What happens | How long |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Chosen and packed | Sunita chooses your bowl, engraving is done, the bowl is packed | 3 to 4 business days |
| 2. In the air | DHL Express carries the parcel from Kathmandu | Typically 7 to 10 business days in all |
| 3. Customs | Your country's customs office clears the parcel | |
| 4. Delivered | DHL brings it to your address |
Full details are on our delivery information page.
Why 3 to 4 business days before dispatch?
Because your bowl is chosen for your order. It is not taken from a shelf by number.
- Chosen: after your order arrives, Sunita plays the bowls in your size and chooses one from her experience in practice.
- Engraved: if you asked for free engraving, it is done at this stage.
- Packed: the bowl is packed with its mallet and cushion.
The same time applies to a single bowl, a singing bowl set and a custom singing bowl.
Will you pay customs duty?
It depends on your country. Each country sets its own duty and tax on imports, and the rules change from time to time.
- Who decides: your own customs office, not us and not the carrier.
- Who pays: the buyer pays any duty, tax or clearance fee.
- How it is collected: DHL usually contacts you and asks for payment before or at delivery.
- What we do: we send the parcel with the correct papers describing the goods.
DHL explains the process on its customs questions page. For the exact amount, check your country's customs website before you order.
Ready to choose a bowl?
See all our singing bowls, sent from Kathmandu by DHL Express. A mallet and cushion come with every bowl.
How is the bowl packed?
- Wrapped: the bowl is wrapped before it goes into the box.
- Padded: padding on every side stops it moving.
- Complete: the mallet and cushion travel in the same box.
- Insured: every order is insured from Kathmandu until it reaches your address.
Large bowls are heavy, so the box is bigger and stronger. See our large standing singing bowls.
What should you do when the parcel arrives?
- Look at the box before you sign, and note any damage.
- Open it the same day and check the bowl, mallet and cushion.
- Strike the bowl softly on its cushion and hear it ring.
- Contact us at once with photos if anything is wrong.
Our satisfaction guarantee and returns and exchanges pages explain what happens next.
What are the common mistakes?
- Counting weekends: dispatch time is in business days.
- Forgetting customs: not checking your country's import rules first.
- A wrong phone number: DHL needs a working number to reach you.
- Ordering late for a gift: allow about three weeks before the date.
- Throwing the box away before you have checked the bowl.
What should you do next?
- Read the buying guide: buying singing bowls online from Nepal.
- Know where bowls are made: Nepal, Tibet or India.
- Check a bowl is authentic: the five point check.
- Look after it: how to care for your singing bowl.
- Hand-hammered bowls: see our hand-hammered singing bowls.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Nepal take?
We dispatch in 3 to 4 business days from Kathmandu by DHL Express. After dispatch, delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days to most destinations.
Will I pay customs duty on a singing bowl from Nepal?
It depends on your country. Any import duty or tax is set by your own customs office and is paid by the buyer, so check your local rules before you order.
Who collects the customs charge?
The carrier usually does. DHL contacts you if a charge is due and asks you to pay it before or at delivery.
Why does dispatch take 3 to 4 business days?
Because the bowl is chosen for your order. After your order arrives, Sunita plays the bowls and chooses one from her experience in practice, and any engraving is done before packing.
How is a singing bowl packed?
The bowl is wrapped and packed in a strong box with padding on every side, so it cannot move. The mallet and cushion travel in the same box.
Can I track my order?
Yes. You receive a DHL tracking number when the parcel is dispatched, and you can follow it to your door.
What if my bowl arrives damaged?
Contact us straight away with photos of the bowl and the box. Every order is insured from Kathmandu until it reaches your address.
Order with a clear timeline
Chosen for your order, dispatched in 3 to 4 business days, and tracked to your door.
