Duty Free Allowances in India -

Recent changes baggage rules

The duty free baggage allowance changes as announced in the Union Budget for various categories of passengers arriving in India. Duty free limits have been increased.

Duty free allowances for NRIs, PIOs and Foreigners

The government of India has increased duty free allowances as declared in the Union Budget 2016-2017. [Baggage Rules 2016 come into effect April 1, 2016]

Customs Duties for International passengers -

Changes in Baggage Allowance, Age, and Duration of

Stay

Duty Free allowances Highlights Duty free allowances now for all international passengers such as any Indian resident, or a foreigner residing in India, or a tourist of Indian origin such as PIOs and OCI holders arriving in India from any international destination except from Nepal, Bhutan or Myanmar are now allowed the following duty free exemptions: Articles up to the value of fifty thousand rupees articles other than the following: 1. Fire arms. 2. Cartridges of fire arms exceeding 50. 3. Cigarettes exceeding 100 sticks or cigars exceeding 25 or tobacco exceeding 125 grams. 4. Alcoholic liquor or wines in excess of two liters. 5. Gold or silver in any form other than ornaments. 6. Flat Panel (LCD, LED or Plasma) television Note: The six items mentioned above cannot be part of your duty free allowance and duty is charged on such items. No Restrictions on period of stay abroad: Duration of stay abroad now does not matter to avail duty free allowance exemptions [except for gold] Duty free allowances for children: Now there is no age restrictions and children over age two can avail the same duty free exemptions as adults. Children below two years of age are classified as infants as per Indian Customs rules and for infants only their used personal effects are allowed duty free. Please note: The free allowance of a passenger is theirs to use and cannot be pooled with the free allowance of any other passenger

Jewelry Duty free exemption for India

A passenger residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, shall be allowed duty free clearance free of his/her bona fide baggage of jewelry: For male passengers: up to a weight of twenty grams with a value cap of fifty thousand rupees For female passengers: up to a weight of forty grams with a value cap of one lakh rupees. [There was no weight restriction in the previous rules, this has not been added as of April 1, 2016] Allowance for Used Household Items under Transfer of Residency increased Those staying abroad for 3-6 months – a value of Rs 60,000 in household items allowed Conditions: Applicable to Indian passenger Those staying abroad for 6-12 months – a value of Rs 100,000 in household items allowed Conditions: Applicable to Indian passenger Those staying abroad for 1-2 years – a value of Rs 200,000 in household items allowed. Conditions: The Indian passenger should not have availed this concession in the preceding three years. Those staying abroad for over 2 years – a value of Rs 500,000 in household items allowed. Conditions: Minimum stay of two years abroad, immediately preceding the date of their arrival in India on transfer of residence; Total stay in India on short visit during the two preceding years should not exceed six months; Customs Declaration Forms on Arrival in India: International travelers arriving at Indian airports do not need to fill out a customs declaration form if they are not bringing in any dutiable goods.

Drones

Drones due to security concerns have been added to the list of dutiable goods and must be declared on customs declaration forms, if you have a drone you must fill in the customs declaration form even if you do not have any other dutiable goods. [Chances are that drones may not even be allowed simply by paying duty as they may be allowed in only for specific uses] For more detailed information on the new Indian customs baggage rules 2016 refer to the notification available by clicking HERE