Duty-Free Jewellery Allowances
Significant changes have been introduced to the duty-free allowances for jewellery when returning to India. These new regulations focus on weight rather
than value, aiming to simplify the process. Specifically, female passengers are now permitted to bring up to 40 grams of jewellery duty-free, while all other passengers are allowed up to 20 grams. This applies to residents or tourists of Indian origin who have been living abroad for more than one year. Jewellery needed for daily necessities during travel is generally allowed duty-free. However, any personal jewellery beyond these specified limits, or new items not meant for daily use, may be subject to applicable customs duties upon arrival. The previous value-based caps have been removed, introducing a more straightforward weight-based system for eligible individuals.
Gold and Silver Import Rules
For eligible passengers of Indian origin or those holding a valid Indian passport, there are specific regulations for importing gold and silver. To bring gold, including ornaments, individuals must have resided abroad for a minimum of six months. The duty must be settled in convertible foreign currency, and the quantity is capped at one kilogram per eligible passenger. Similarly, for silver, including ornaments, the passenger must have stayed abroad for at least six months. Payment of duty in convertible foreign currency is required, and the permissible quantity of silver is up to 10 kilograms per eligible passenger. These updated guidelines aim to provide clearer parameters for bringing precious metals into the country.
Allowances for New Articles & Electronics
When bringing new articles into India, travelers can benefit from specific duty-free allowances. Residents, tourists of Indian origin, and foreigners with valid non-tourist visas are entitled to bring in new articles valued up to Rs 75,000 duty-free. For tourists of foreign origin, this limit is Rs 25,000. Crew members have a lower allowance of Rs 2,500. It's important to note that no such allowance is available for individuals arriving via land borders. Furthermore, one new laptop or notepad can be imported duty-free by passengers who are 18 years of age or older. To ensure a smooth customs clearance for items intended to be taken back, passengers can obtain a Temporary Baggage Import Certificate from the Customs Department upon arrival.
Temporary Import and Valuables
For travelers carrying items like cameras, watches, or jewellery temporarily for specific events, such as attending a wedding or a conference, and with the intention of taking them back, a special provision exists. Passengers can obtain a Temporary Baggage Import Certificate from customs upon arrival. This certificate allows for the temporary import of these items, ensuring they can be brought into the country for the duration of the event without being subject to full import duties, provided they are declared and will be re-exported. This process facilitates the temporary use of personal valuables while adhering to customs regulations.
