Editor’s Note
India’s updated baggage rules for 2026 mark a significant liberalization, particularly for travellers bringing in jewellery. The removal of value caps in favour of simple weight-based limits simplifies the process for returning residents and tourists of Indian origin. This change, along with increased duty-free allowances, aims to better align regulations with modern travel patterns.
India’s New Baggage Rules 2026 have removed value caps on jewellery brought by returning residents and tourists of Indian origin, now only imposing weight limits of 40 grams for females and 20 grams for others. These revised rules also increase duty-free allowances for various passenger categories, reflecting current travel realities.
Special allowances for jewellery have been prescribed solely on weight basis by removing value caps. After the rule change, eligible returning residents/tourists of Indian origin (after staying abroad for more than one year), are allowed duty-free jewellery purely on a weight basis. The limits are as follows:
– Females: up to 40 grams;
– Other than females: up to 20 grams
Rachit Jain, executive partner, Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan Attorneys, explains:
Prabhakar K S, Founder & CEO, Shree Tax Chambers, a Bengaluru-based International Tax and customs advisory says, relying on the said old Rules, even small quantities of jewellery were subject to seizure by the Customs Department. It is widely anticipated that these new Rules will address the stressing customs clearance issues, simplify procedures, enhance transparency, electronic clearance, smooth Customs clearance, and provide over all provide modern travelling experience.
The Ministry of Finance that has formed the new baggage rules didn’t mention gold jewellery in its notification of the baggage rules. The new rules are for all types of jewellery items.
However, the removal of the value limit will be suitable for those who are bringing gold jewellery to India.
For example, the earlier limits on all types of jewellery, including gold, were Rs 1 lakh or up to 40 grams. The earlier rules were formed in the year 2016 when the gold price was hovering around Rs 30,000. Gold prices since then have seen an extraordinary surge in India and abroad.
On April 1, 2016, gold was priced at Rs 29,080 per 10 grams on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX). Fast forward to February 2, 2026, and gold prices on MCX have touched Rs 1,43,926 per 10 grams.
This marks an absolute increase of Rs 1,14,846, translating into a massive 393.93% rise in just under 10 years.
In Rs 1 lakh, one can’t purchase even 10 grams gold today, let alone 40 grams.
Here’s a breakdown of how much duty-free allowance you can claim under different categories.
The revised rules enhance duty-free allowances in line with present-day travel realities, by revising entitlements for different passenger categories. The revised allowances for different categories are given below:
– Resident: Duty-free allowance is increased to Rs 75,000 from Rs 50,000
– Tourist of Indian origin: Rs 75,000/-
– Foreigner with a valid visa, other than tourist visa: Rs 75,000/-
– Tourist of foreign origin: Rs 25,000/-
– Crew Members: Rs 2,500/-
Note that passengers arriving by land borders do not have any general duty-free allowances.
Jain says for general duty-free baggage, the earlier rules were dependent on the passenger’s country of arrival, Rs 50,000 from most countries, but only Rs 15,000 from Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, and Rs 15,000 for foreign tourists.
The government has incorporated duty-free import of one laptop (for passengers above 18 years) and pets into the new baggage rules.
