The year-end season is a time for giving in Bhutan, whether it is a warm jacket for a parent, a gadget for a sibling studying away, toys for the kids or something special for a friend. Many of the best gift options are found on shopping sites in India, Thailand and China. With a little planning, DrukBees can bring them home to you in time.
1. Work backwards from the day you need it
The most common gift mistake is ordering too late. Start from the date you want to give the gift and count back using these typical delivery times:
- India: about 7 days
- Thailand: about 10 days
- China: about 21 days
These are typical times after your order reaches the seller and ships, so add a few extra days as a buffer, especially during big sale periods when sellers and couriers are busy. If a gift is for a fixed date, India is usually the safest choice for last-minute shopping.
2. Make a gift list before you browse
Write down who you are buying for, a budget for each person and one or two ideas. It keeps you from impulse buys, and it helps you combine items from the same country into fewer orders. Grouping gifts can also make your shipping simpler to plan, because charges from Thailand (BTN 650/kg) and China (BTN 990/kg) are based on weight.
3. Choose gifts that travel well
Light, compact gifts are usually the easiest and most cost-effective to bring in: clothing, shoes, watches, bags, books, kitchen tools, phone accessories and small home decor. Heavy or bulky items add weight to your shipment, so compare the total cost before you decide. Before ordering any electronics, perfumes, aerosols or items with batteries, check our air cargo guidance or ask us first, as some items cannot fly.
4. Get sizes and variants right the first time
Returning an item from abroad is not easy, so double-check before you order. For clothes and shoes, look at the seller’s size chart in centimetres rather than guessing from the label. For gadgets, confirm the colour, storage, plug type and model number. When you send us a link through Order For Me, mention the exact size, colour and quantity so there is no confusion.
5. Pick reliable sellers
Gifts should arrive as expected. Choose sellers with good ratings and plenty of recent reviews, read a few of the low-star reviews, and be careful with deals that look too good to be true. If you are unsure about a listing, send it to us and we can take a look.
6. Plan how you will collect it
Once your parcel reaches Bhutan, you can collect it at a DrukBees Cube, our self pick-up lockers, at a time that suits you. This is handy if you want to keep a surprise gift away from the family until the big day.
How to order your gifts with DrukBees
If you would rather not buy from foreign sites yourself, use Order For Me. Just share the product links, and we will send you a quote, buy the items on your behalf once you confirm, and ship them to Bhutan. If you prefer to buy yourself, you can use your DrukBees shopping address and track everything from your account.
- Request a quote: order.drukbees.com
- Manage your account and shipments: my.drukbees.com
- Call us on 330299 or email info@drukbees.com
Start your gift list today, and order early so every present arrives on time. Happy shopping and happy giving from the DrukBees team!