Q636. Current customs duty on Gold taken to India by Passenger

Question: What are the latest rules and custom/import duty on gold which a traveler can take with him into India. ?

Answer: Current rules that apply to import of gold to India by passengers arriving in India:

Who can take gold to India

Any NRI passenger going to India after a stay abroad of a period of at least six months (short visits to India of less than 30 days may be ignored when calculating the six month period) can import import gold in the form of gold bars, coins and ornaments up to a total weight of 1kg. Kindly note that some websites continue to show that 10kg of gold can be taken to India. Several years back 10 kg was allowed, some websites have not updated the information and continue to show 10kg instead of the 1kg currently allowed.

What is the current rate of customs duty on gold taken to India

• Currently the rate of customs duty charged in India on gold bars that show the serial number, weight and the manufacturer’s name is 4%. • All other type of gold, including jewellery items are charged duty 10%

How is value of gold determined by Indian Customs

The value of gold when it comes to calculation of customs duty in India is determined by what is called the ‘notified value’. This refers to a value that is determined by the Government of India from time to time. Even though a passenger may have a receipt showing a value, the duty will be accessed by customs officers in India based on the ‘notified value’.

Current Duty Free Allowance Gold Jewellery taken to India

Male passengers are allowed to take gold jewellery free of duty up to a value of Rupees 50,000 and Women can take gold jewellery duty free up to the value of Rupees 100,000.