Editor’s Note
This article outlines the Union Budget 2026’s key update for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), detailing the increased duty-free allowance for gold jewelry. The change, part of new Customs Baggage Rules, is designed to simplify travel and reduce compliance burdens for long-term overseas residents.
In a significant move welcomed by overseas Indians, the Union Budget 2026 has increased the duty-free allowance for gold jewelry brought into India by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The decision, announced alongside the rollout of new Customs Baggage Rules, 2026, is aimed at simplifying travel and easing compliance for long-term overseas residents.
Under the revised rules, NRIs who have stayed abroad for more than one year can now bring gold jewelry duty-free purely based on weight, removing earlier value-based restrictions.
According to the updated norms:
Male NRI passengers: Up to 20 grams of gold jewelry duty-free
Female NRI passengers: Up to 40 grams of gold jewelry duty-free
The jewelry must be for personal use and not intended for commercial purposes. Importantly, the value cap on duty-free gold jewelry has been removed, making the allowance entirely weight-based.
In another traveler-friendly change, the government has raised the overall duty-free baggage allowance for passengers arriving from abroad:
New limit: ₹75,000
Earlier limit: ₹50,000
This increase provides additional relief to international travelers, especially during festive seasons and family visits.
Sources said that the Customs Baggage Rules, 2026, notified under the Union Budget, came into effect from midnight of February 2, 2026, replacing baggage regulations that were in force for over a decade.
The updated framework also brings customs duty relief on select items, aligning India’s rules more closely with global travel standards.
The move has been widely welcomed by the Indian diaspora, particularly in Dubai and other Gulf nations, where a large number of Indian professionals and businesspersons reside.
Chandrashekhar Bhatia, Chairman of GBF Middle East (Dubai), thanked the central government and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the decision.
He noted that eliminating the value cap on duty-free gold jewelry has significantly benefited NRIs, making compliance simpler and travel stress-free.
Indians living across the Gulf region and other overseas destinations have described the policy change as a long-awaited reform. Experts believe the move will:
Ease customs clearance at Indian airports
Reduce disputes related to valuation
Encourage smoother travel for NRIs during festivals and weddings
Strengthen India’s engagement with its global diaspora
With millions of NRIs traveling to India every year, the updated baggage rules are expected to have a positive economic and social impact, especially in gold-import hubs like Dubai.