Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, introduces a comprehensive Travellers’ Guide to streamline international travel procedures. The guide establishes clear weight-based limits for duty-free jewelry, updates rules for gold and silver imports, and provides straightforward instructions for passengers.
Jewelry Duty-Free Allowances
Returning residents and tourists of Indian origin who have stayed abroad for over one year qualify for duty-free jewelry based solely on weight. Female passengers receive an allowance of up to 40 grams, while male passengers and others get up to 20 grams.
Personal jewelry essential for daily use during travel enters duty-free. Additional bona fide personal jewelry requires payment of applicable customs duty. Jewelry exceeding these limits or not for personal use also incurs duty.
Gold and Silver Import Regulations
Passengers of Indian origin or those holding valid Indian passports who have resided abroad for at least six months may import gold, including ornaments. Imports demand payment in convertible foreign currency, with a limit of one kilogram per eligible passenger.
Silver imports follow similar rules: eligible passengers pay duty in foreign currency, capped at 10 kilograms per person.
Temporary Jewelry for Events
Jewelry brought temporarily for events like weddings, intended for re-export, receives approval via a Temporary Baggage Import Certificate. Passengers obtain this certificate from customs upon arrival for smooth clearance.
High-Value Items: Cameras, Wristwatches, and Electronics
New articles, such as cameras or wristwatches, fall within the general duty-free allowance: Rs 75,000 for residents, Indian-origin tourists, and foreigners on non-tourist visas; Rs 25,000 for foreign tourists. Items meant for return qualify for a Temporary Baggage Import Certificate.
Passengers aged 18 and above gain one duty-free laptop or notepad. Crew members receive Rs 2,500, while land border entrants have no additional allowance.
General Duty-Free Allowances
All arriving passengers benefit from these enhanced limits, promoting transparency and ease. Officials emphasize compliance to avoid delays at customs.
