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Buying Kerala snacks from India when you live abroad

Banana chips fried in coconut oil, Kozhikode halwa and achappam taste different when they come from Kerala. Order them to your Kerala address and we send them on.

Yes — you can buy Kerala snacks from Indian shops even if they do not deliver to your country. India Rabbit gives you a free delivery address in India. You order to that address as an ordinary domestic customer, we receive and hold the parcel free for 30 days, combine it with anything else you buy, and forward the lot to you.

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Why this is hard to buy where you are

The snacks sold as Kerala snacks abroad are mostly made for export, and the range is small. In Kerala the same snacks come from hundreds of small makers and home kitchens, fried in coconut oil and sold within days of making. Kozhikode halwa is made with coconut oil rather than ghee, which is part of why it keeps without a fridge. Our warehouse is in Kerala, so these come to us in a day or two, not across the country.

Where to buy it

Shop	What they are good for
Tocco	A Kerala home-chef brand that states a 50-day shelf life for its banana chips and up to 90 days for homemade jackfruit chips.
CVJ banana chips (on Foodwalas)	Nendran banana chips in coconut oil with rock salt, sold in 400 g packs and described as fresh for up to 4 months.
Akshatha (Palakkad)	Nendran chips in coconut oil with a stated shelf life of about 6 months, and achappam in 100 g to 500 g packs, best within 7 to 10 days.
Kozhikode halwa makers	Halwa from Kozhikode's sweet shops and newer brands; one states a 40-day shelf life from packing.

Small Kerala makers sell to buyers in Kerala. A Kerala delivery address makes your order an ordinary local sale, and it reaches us quickly while it is fresh.

What to check before you order

Check the shelf life on the listing and order short-life snacks, like achappam and fresh halwa, last, so they leave us soon after they arrive.
Choose sealed, labelled packs over loose snacks. A printed ingredient list helps at customs everywhere.
Nendran chips fried in coconut oil are the Kerala original; the listing usually says which oil.
Order from several makers to your Kerala address; everything waits and ships in one box.

Weight, customs and getting it here intact

Weight

Light. Chips are mostly air, so a few packs weigh little but take space; halwa is dense and heavier for its size.

Volume

Chip packs are bulky for their weight and can be priced on volume. Packing them tightly in one box keeps the price down.

Customs

Declared as packaged snack food. Most countries allow sealed, commercially packed snacks for personal use; Australia and New Zealand inspect food in mail, so declare everything and check your country's page first. Check what your destination allows.

Condition

We pack chips so they are not crushed and keep halwa away from anything that could be stained.

Work out the exact cost to your country

Where we send it

Pick your country for transit times and customs notes.

Questions

Can I send banana chips abroad?

Yes, from our side. Sealed, packaged banana chips travel well. Your country decides what it allows in, so check its page under prohibited items.

How long do Kerala snacks keep?

It varies by maker. Listings we read give about 50 days to 6 months for banana chips, and 7 to 10 days for homemade achappam.

Do I need FDA prior notice for snacks sent to the USA?

Bought food sent to the USA is generally subject to FDA prior notice; homemade food sent by an individual as a personal gift is exempt. Ask us before you order.

Is it expensive to ship chips?

Chips are light but bulky. One well-packed box of several packs is the efficient way to send them.

Order it like you live in Kerala

Your free Indian address takes a minute to set up and works on your very next order. We hold parcels free for 30 days so you can combine them into one box.

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