Flying into India? Here’s a new, simple guide to what you can carry, especially gold

With international travel steadily rising, Indian Customs has reiterated and clarified baggage rules for passengers arriving in the country, placing particular emphasis on gold allowances, duty-free limits and items that must be declared. The updated guidelines, issued by the Office of the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport, Ahmedabad, aim to reduce violations and prevent passengers from inadvertently falling foul of customs laws.

Customs officials said gold continues to be one of the most misunderstood and frequently violated categories, with several recent seizures at airports highlighting the need for greater public awareness.

Green channel vs red channel

Passengers entering India must choose between the Green Channel and the Red Channel at the airport exit.

Those carrying no dutiable goods and nothing prohibited or restricted may walk through the Green Channel. However, passengers carrying items exceeding duty-free limits, commercial quantities or restricted goods must declare them at the Red Channel by submitting a duly filled customs declaration form. Officials cautioned that misuse of the Green Channel amounts to misdeclaration and can attract confiscation and penalties.

Duty-free baggage allowance

For passengers holding an Indian passport, persons of Indian origin, or foreigners with a valid visa (other than a tourist visa), the duty-free allowance for bona fide baggage and used personal effects is capped at ₹75,000.

For foreign tourists, the allowance is lower, limited to ₹25,000.

Any baggage items exceeding these free allowances attract basic customs duty of 35%, apart from other applicable levies.

Crew members are permitted to bring petty gift items such as chocolates, cosmetics and cheese up to a value of ₹2,500. 

Laptop rule (often misunderstood): Every passenger aged 18 years or above (except crew) is allowed one new laptop or notebook duty-free.

Customs has made it clear that no free allowance applies to items carried in commercial quantity, even if packed in personal baggage. Such goods are liable to confiscation along with penalties.

 How much gold can passengers bring?

Gold remains the most tightly regulated item in passenger baggage.

Indian residents or tourists of Indian origin returning after one year are allowed to bring gold jewellery free of duty up to:

40 grams for female passengers

20 grams for passengers other than female passengers

For passengers returning to India after a minimum stay of six months abroad, gold (including jewellery) of up to 1 kilogram can be brought on payment of concessional duty, provided the duty is paid in convertible foreign currency. The effective concessional duty rate is 6% (comprising a Basic Customs Duty of 5% and an Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess of 1%).

Passengers who do not meet the eligibility criteria can still bring gold jewellery, but must pay duty at a significantly higher effective rate of 36% (35% BCD plus 1% AIDC).

Customs officials emphasised that concealing gold or failing to declare it can result in seizure under the Customs Act, 1962, and possible arrest.

 Alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco

Each passenger is allowed to bring up to two litres of alcoholic beverages, which is included in the duty-free allowance. Any quantity beyond this limit attracts a steep effective duty of 250%.

Tobacco allowances include:

100 cigarettes, or

25 cigars, or

125 grams of tobacco

Exceeding these limits can result in absolute confiscation, officials warned.

Currency rules

Import of Foreign currency : 

There is no limit on the import of foreign currency. However, passengers must declare it to Customs if:

Foreign currency notes exceed $5,000, or the total value of foreign currency notes, traveller’s cheques and banknotes exceeds $10,000 or equivalent.

Import of Indian currency is permitted only up to ₹25,000.

For outbound travellers: 

Indian residents may carry Indian currency up to ₹25,000 and foreign currency without limit, provided it has been purchased from authorised dealers. Fake or counterfeit currency is subject to absolute confiscation and penal action.

Items attracting duty or prohibition

LCD, LED, and plasma televisions are not covered under free allowance, irrespective of size or whether used. All such televisions attract 35% basic customs duty.

Import of firearms is strictly prohibited, and cartridges beyond 50 rounds are not allowed. Airguns may be imported only by licensed members of recognised shooting associations.

Import of drones, toy helicopters, transmitters or wireless equipment is not permitted without approval from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications.

Only two pet animals (dogs or cats) may be imported as baggage, and that too once, by persons transferring residence to India after two years of continuous stay abroad, subject to health certification.

Prohibited and restricted goods

Customs has also reiterated a long list of prohibited and restricted items, including narcotic drugs, obscene material, counterfeit goods, wildlife products, beef and beef products, certain chemicals, human skeletons, sex determination kits, mobile phones without valid IMEI numbers, unauthorised radio transmitters, drones and goods brought in trade quantity for commercial gain.

Officials said the list is indicative and not exhaustive, advising passengers to check rules in advance.

Advisory to passengers

Customs authorities urged travellers to familiarise themselves with baggage rules before flying into India. “Most violations arise from ignorance rather than intent. Knowing how much gold or duty-free goods one can legally carry can save passengers from confiscation, penalties and prolonged questioning,” a senior customs officer said.

With stricter surveillance at international airports and a renewed focus on gold smuggling, officials said compliance with baggage rules has never been more critical for incoming passengers.