Door-to-door cargo agents in Oman raise charges to India

Muscat: Cargo agents, who deliver goods at the door steps of Indian expatriates back home, have decided to raise their door-to-door air cargo charge between Muscat and New Delhi by 100 baisas to OMR1.3 per kg.
The decision was taken by cargo agents, after a meeting of 35 agents in Muscat.
India now allows such cargoes only at the New Delhi airport and the cargo agents have to dispatch their consignments to other states from Delhi airport.
Representatives of door-to-door cargo agents said that the recent increase in cargo rates by airlines by 100-200 baisas to around 650 baisas per kg and other cost escalation have prompted them to raise the rates.
“We are passing on the additional cost to the end consumers,” said Mohammed Ali, a senior official of a Muscat-based cargo company.
He said that there was also an increase in cargo handling charges at the Muscat airport and a growth in transport charges and other operation expenses.
Mohammed Ali said that since India allows such door-to-door parcel service only at New Delhi airport, clearance and delivery expenses to the southern states have increased due to high transportation cost.
Indian expatriates working overseas are making use of a government facility to send gift parcels not exceeding Rs20,000 in total value to their friends and family members. The non-residents Indians depend on door-to-door agents for delivering such gifts.
It takes anywhere between 15 and 25 days for cargo agents to deliver a parcel, after booking in Muscat. All the airlines operating in Muscat-New Delhi sector have a quota for cargoes.
Mohammed Ali said the customer who sends their door-to-door cargo should declare a complete list of items, produce their identity proof at the time of booking for safety and secure delivery to the right person. Also, cargo agents do not provide any insurance coverage for the items.
Dangerous goods are not allowed in door to door cargo gift parcels. Customers and agents have to make sure that such items are not included in the boxes.