If you live far from Mauritius, you probably know the feeling: a birthday, anniversary or big family celebration is coming up on the island… and you're thousands of kilometres away.

Do you try to ship a parcel yourself and hope it arrives on time? Do you send money and ask someone to organise something locally? Or is there a better way to send gifts and gift baskets to Mauritius that feels personal, reliable and stress-free?

In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to send gift baskets and gifts to Mauritius from abroad, without worrying about customs, delays or confusion. We'll also share ideas for different occasions and recipients, and show you why partnering with a local gifting platform like DodoMarket makes everything much easier.

Mauritius is a small island with a big heart – but as you know, getting things there from overseas can be… tricky.

• International parcels can mean customs checks, import taxes and delivery delays.
• Tracking can be limited once the parcel reaches the island.
• If the recipient isn't home or there's an address issue, there's often no easy way for you to help from abroad.

That's why more and more people abroad choose a local gifting partner instead of shipping physical packages themselves.

With DodoMarket you:

• Place your order online from anywhere in the world.
• Pay securely in a few clicks.
• Our local team prepares and delivers your gift in Mauritius – usually same-day or next-day.
• Your recipient receives a beautiful gift, not a customs slip.

You handle the emotion and the thought; we handle the roads, the addresses and the "last mile" on the island.

You may be buying for a whole family, a couple, a group of friends or an office team. You might not know exactly what they have in the house, or what's easy to get locally.

That's where gift baskets and hampers shine:

• They are shareable – perfect for families and teams.
• They include a mix of items (sweets, savoury snacks, fruit, drinks, pampering items…), so there is something for everyone.
• They look beautiful and impressive on arrival – no need for your recipient to unpack a plain cardboard box.
• You can choose from different themes and budgets, so you don't need to overthink every single product.

On DodoMarket, our hampers are curated using:

• Local Mauritian treats – biscuits, teas, chocolates, delicacies and artisanal products.
• Popular international brands your recipient will recognise.
• High-quality packaging that feels like a real occasion.

Of course, you don't need a special date to send a gift basket to Mauritius – a "just because" surprise can be incredibly powerful. But certain occasions are especially popular:

Everyday Occasions

• Birthdays & anniversaries – classic hampers, flowers, chocolates and champagne-style celebrations
• New baby & congratulations – sweet treats for the parents, soft toys and pampering sets
• Thank you & appreciation – fruit baskets or gourmet boxes for friends, hosts, doctors, teachers, colleagues
• Get well soon & sympathy – gentle, comforting baskets and elegant flowers delivered with care

Public Holidays & Festivals

Mauritius has a rich mix of cultural and religious celebrations across the year:

• New Year (1 & 2 January) – to welcome the year with family-sized hampers
• Chinese New Year – sweets and fruit baskets are always appreciated
• Maha Shivaratri & other Hindu festivals – non-alcoholic hampers, fruit and sweets for family and friends
• Independence & Republic Day (12 March) – patriotic celebrations, corporate gifting and team rewards
• Eid-ul-Fitr – sweets and delicacies for families and neighbours
• Divali / Diwali – traditional sweets and festive hampers
• Christmas – classic gift baskets, chocolates, cakes and flowers

The exact dates change from year to year for some religious holidays, but you don't need to worry – just focus on the week of the celebration and choose a delivery date within that period.

To make your gift delivery to Mauritius as smooth as possible:

1. Provide a detailed address
   • Include building or residence name, apartment/office number and floor where applicable
   • Add any helpful markers ("near X supermarket", "behind Y school") if the area is not well signposted
2. Always include the recipient's mobile phone number
   • Our drivers or support team often call or send a WhatsApp message if access is difficult
3. Choose the right day
   • For offices, choose weekdays during working hours
   • For home deliveries, weekends or early evenings might be better
4. Check same-day cut-off times
   • If you're ordering very last-minute, make sure the product is eligible and you place the order before the same-day cut-off displayed on the site
5. Consider the occasion and cultural context
   • If you're unsure about alcohol, it's safer to choose non-alcoholic hampers, fruit baskets or sweets
   • For religious or formal recipients, opt for neutral, shareable options