Editor’s Note
This summary outlines key customs provisions for passengers entering India, covering duty-free allowances for personal effects and specific rules for re-importing declared items. Always verify the latest regulations with official sources before travel.
Personal belongings and souvenirs:
Passengers, including infants, may bring used personal effects and travel souvenirs duty-free, provided they are for daily use and not listed under restricted items in Annexure I.
Re-import of personal items:
Indian residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with valid non-tourist visas may re-import personal items (other than daily-use goods) without duty, subject to prior declaration at departure and customs verification on return.
Temporary import by tourists:
Tourists may bring personal items for use during their stay without paying duty, provided they declare them on arrival and re-export them on departure. These cases may be selected for risk-based verification.
Air or sea travellers (aged 18 and above):
Duty-free allowance of up to ₹75,000 for Indian residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with valid non-tourist visas.
Foreign tourists:
Duty-free allowance of up to ₹25,000.
Land travellers:
Only used personal belongings required for daily life are permitted duty-free.
Free laptop allowance:
One new laptop or notepad per passenger aged 18 and above (excluding crew), in addition to the GFA.
No pooling:
Passengers cannot combine individual duty-free allowances.
Residents of India or tourists of Indian origin living abroad for over one year may bring jewellery duty-free in accompanied baggage:
Female passengers:
Up to 40 grams
Other passengers:
Up to 20 grams
Returning Indians and persons of Indian origin:
Individuals relocating to India after living or working abroad may import specified personal and household items duty-free, in addition to their normal allowance. Eligible items and limits are listed in Appendix I.
Foreign nationals moving to India:
Foreigners with valid non-tourist visas relocating for work or residence may also import specified goods duty-free, as detailed in Appendix II.
Permitted items include home theatre systems, air conditioners, microwave ovens, washing machines, gas cooking ranges, personal computers and laptops, subject to value limits and conditions.
Failure to meet the minimum stay requirement will require the passenger to inform Customs and pay applicable duty and interest.
Foreign exchange imports and exports will continue to be governed by the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015. Import of pets will be regulated under rules notified by the relevant central authorities.
After arrival:
Baggage sent within one month of arrival, or within an approved extended period, may be cleared if it belonged to the passenger abroad.
Before arrival:
Baggage may arrive up to two months before the passenger.
Extension up to one year:
Customs may allow earlier arrival due to exceptional circumstances such as illness, natural disasters or travel disruptions.
Final pay-off crew:
Covered under the Baggage Rules, 2026.
Other crew members:
May bring small personal-use items up to ₹2,500 duty-free.
Items banned under Annexure-I include:
Firearms
Cartridges exceeding 50
Cigarettes over 100 sticks, cigars over 25, or tobacco over 125 grams
Alcoholic liquor or wine exceeding 2 litres
Gold or silver in any form other than ornaments
Television sets