Yeah, this is the sole reason that I lugged a 20+kg (~50lbs for our American friends) Fender tube amp back with me when I returned from the US. I had to carry it on my shoulders between terminals at Chicago airport but I was game for all of that! The amp cost me about $1,000 but here in India the same amp (if you can get it) costs around $2,100! Ridiculous!
Sometimes it's customs and sometimes it's just suppliers taking advantage of the lack of consumer options. Sometimes it's both =(
Also, for those Indian friends who do not mind paying customs and still getting their items at a ~25% markup due to customs, shop and ship is a great option. I used to use it in Dubai and it was quite reliable (and they DO ship to India as well). It's like a dropbox service which gives you a US address. http://shopandship.com/ They charge about $18/kg. Happy shopping :)
Sometimes it's customs and sometimes it's just suppliers taking advantage of the lack of consumer options. Sometimes it's both =(
Also, for those Indian friends who do not mind paying customs and still getting their items at a ~25% markup due to customs, shop and ship is a great option. I used to use it in Dubai and it was quite reliable (and they DO ship to India as well). It's like a dropbox service which gives you a US address. http://shopandship.com/ They charge about $18/kg. Happy shopping :)