Flying to India with gold or jewellery, camera or wristwatch? New baggage rules you must know – The Economic Times

Clipped from: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/save/flying-to-india-with-gold-or-jewellery-camera-or-wristwatch-new-baggage-rules-you-must-know/articleshow/128844796.cms

ET OnlineFlying to India with gold? Know these baggage rules

To make international travel simpler and more transparent, Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, launched a comprehensive Travellers’ Guide to simplify procedures. The guide introduces clear weight-based limits for duty-free jewellery, updated gold and silver import rules and easy-to-follow instructions.

Income Tax Guide

Income Tax Union Budget FY 2026-27 LiveIncome Tax Slabs FY 2025-26Income Tax Calculator 2025

Special allowances for jewellery have been prescribed solely on a weight basis by removing value caps, under which, 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. Now female passengers are allowed up to 40 grams duty-free jewellery, while other than female passengers are allowed up to 20 grams duty-free jewellery.

Jewellery and valuables other than those required for daily necessities of life in bona fide baggage of a passenger may be allowed on the payment of applicable customs duty.

Also read: Returning to India with gold? New baggage rules remove value limit on jewellery

Gold import rules

An eligible passenger of Indian origin or a passenger holding a valid Indian passport may bring gold, including ornaments. However, the passenger must have stayed abroad for at least six months, duty must be paid in convertible foreign currency and the quantity must not exceed one kilogram per eligible passenger.

Silver import rules

An eligible passenger of Indian origin or a passenger holding a valid Indian passport may bring silver, including ornaments. However, the passenger must have stayed abroad for at least six months, duty-fee must be paid in convertible foreign currency and the quantity must not exceed 10 kg per eligible passenger.

Can I bring my jewellery without any conditions while travelling to India?

Yes, used personal jewellery required for daily use during travel is allowed duty-free. Other bona fide personal jewellery may be brought on the payment of duty. A resident or a tourist of Indian origin who has stayed abroad for more than one year may bring jewellery duty-free up to: 40 grams for a female passenger, 20 grams for other than a female passenger.

If I bring jewellery in a large quantity for a wedding while travelling to India, will it be permitted?

Jewellery being carried temporarily for attending any event and to be taken back may be permitted on the basis of temporary baggage import certificate. The certificate may be obtained from customs on arrival.

What will happen if I bring high-value things like a new camera, wristwatch, etc., to India?

New articles up to the value of the applicable general free allowance (Rs 75,000 for residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with valid other than tourist visas; Rs 25,000 for tourists of foreign origin) are allowed duty-free. Tourists carrying items intended to be taken back may obtain a Temporary Baggage Import Certificate from the Customs Department for hassle-free clearance.

Additional duty-free allowance:

Passengers arriving in India are eligible for additional duty-free allowances of up to Rs 75,000 for residents, tourists of Indian origin, and foreigners holding a valid visa (other than tourist visa), Rs 25,000 for tourists of foreign origin, and Rs 2,500 for crew members, while no such allowance is available for those entering via land borders; additionally, one new laptop or notepad is permitted duty-free for passengers aged 18 years and above.