“Mani, I’m flying into Mumbai next week with a new iPhone, some gold earrings for my mother, and two bottles of whiskey. Am I going to get stopped at customs?”
I get some version of this question almost every single day in our WhatsApp community.
And honestly? I don’t blame anyone for being confused.
Indian customs rules have been notoriously complicated for decades. Outdated limits. Inconsistent enforcement. That sinking feeling when you see the customs officer eyeing your bags.
But here’s the good news. The government completely overhauled the rules in February 2026 – the first major revision in a decade.
The new Baggage Rules 2026 (effective February 2, 2026) are simpler, more generous, and finally reflect the reality of what things actually cost today.
This guide breaks down everything by item category – gold, electronics, jewellery, alcohol, household goods, and more.
So you know exactly what you can carry, what you’ll pay duty on, and how to avoid unnecessary trouble at the airport.
The Big Picture – What Changed in 2026
Before we get into specific items, here’s what the new Baggage Rules 2026 changed at a high level.
| What Changed | Old Rule (2016) | New Rule (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General duty-free allowance | ₹50,000 | ₹75,000 |
| Duty rate on excess goods | 35% + 2% cess = 35.7% | Flat 10% + surcharge |
| Jewellery limit basis | Weight + Value cap | Weight only (value caps removed) |
| Foreign tourist allowance | ₹15,000 | ₹25,000 |
| Airline crew allowance | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Transfer of Residence limit | ₹5 lakh | ₹7.5 lakh |
| Customs declaration | Paper forms | Digital (ATITHI app / Air Suvidha) |
| Land border arrivals | Same as air | No general duty-free allowance |
The two biggest wins for NRIs:
First, the duty-free limit went up 50% – from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. This finally accounts for a decade of inflation.
Second, the duty rate on excess goods dropped dramatically – from about 35.7% to a flat 10% (plus a 10% surcharge on that).
So even if you go over the limit, the penalty is much lighter now.
If you’re planning your return to India in 2026, these new rules make the process noticeably less stressful.
Who Gets What Allowance
Not everyone gets the same duty-free limit. Here’s the breakdown by passenger type.
| Passenger Category | Duty-Free Allowance | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Indian resident returning from abroad | ₹75,000 | Arriving by air or sea |
| NRI (Indian passport, living abroad) | ₹75,000 | Arriving by air or sea |
| OCI cardholder | ₹75,000 | Arriving by air or sea |
| Foreign national (non-tourist visa) | ₹75,000 | Arriving by air or sea |
| Foreign tourist (tourist visa) | ₹25,000 | Arriving by air or sea |
| Airline crew member | ₹2,500 | Per trip |
| Any passenger via land border | No general allowance | Only used personal effects allowed |
| Children (under 10 years) | ₹75,000 (but limited items) | No alcohol, tobacco, or firearms |
Important: The duty-free allowance cannot be pooled with family members. Each person gets their own ₹75,000 limit.
So a family of four arriving together has 4 x ₹75,000 = ₹3,00,000 in combined allowance – but each person’s items must fit within their individual ₹75,000.
Also important: If the value of a single item exceeds ₹75,000, duty is calculated only on the amount exceeding the limit – not on the full value of the item.
Category 1: Gold and Precious Metals
Gold is the single biggest area of confusion and enforcement at Indian customs. Let me break it down clearly.
Gold Jewellery (Duty-Free Allowance)
The 2026 rules made a significant change here. Jewellery limits are now purely weight-based – the old value caps (₹50,000 for men, ₹1,00,000 for women) have been removed.
This matters a lot. With gold prices touching approximately ₹1,54,000 per 10 grams in early 2026, even 20 grams of gold jewellery would far exceed those old value caps.
The weight-only system is much more practical.
| Passenger Type | Duty-Free Gold Jewellery | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Female passenger (Indian origin, stayed abroad 1+ year) | Up to 40 grams | Must be in jewellery form, personal use only |
| Male / other passenger (Indian origin, stayed abroad 1+ year) | Up to 20 grams | Must be in jewellery form, personal use only |
| Children (under 15, Indian origin, stayed abroad 1+ year) | Same as applicable gender | Same conditions apply |
What counts as “jewellery”?
Articles of adornment made from gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals.
This includes studded jewellery (with diamonds or precious stones). The weight limit applies to the total weight of the piece, including any stones.
What does NOT count?
Gold bars, gold coins, gold biscuits, and unstudded/unworked gold do not qualify for the duty-free jewellery allowance. These have separate (and stricter) rules.
The “worn jewellery” clarification
The 2026 rules explicitly clarified something that caused endless arguments at airports.
Jewellery and valuables that you’re wearing or carrying for personal use during your journey are permitted duty-free – as long as they’re not meant for sale or transfer.
So your regular wedding band, chain, or earrings that you always wear? Those should not be questioned.
Community tip from our group: Several members recommend getting an Export Certificate from Indian customs when you leave India wearing expensive jewellery. This certificate documents the pieces and means you won’t face questions when you bring the same jewellery back. You can use it repeatedly for the same items.
Gold Bars, Coins, and Biscuits
This is where people get caught. Gold in any form other than jewellery has zero duty-free allowance.
| Gold Form | Duty-Free? | Customs Duty Rate | Maximum Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold bars | No – duty from first gram | 6% for eligible passengers | Up to 1 kg per passenger |
| Gold coins | No – duty from first gram | 6% for eligible passengers | Up to 1 kg per passenger |
| Gold biscuits | No – duty from first gram | 6% for eligible passengers | Up to 1 kg per passenger |
Who is an “eligible passenger”?
An Indian passport holder or Person of Indian Origin who has stayed abroad continuously for at least 6 months (for some concessions) or 1 year (for full concessions).
If you’re NOT eligible (stayed abroad less than 6 months): The duty rate jumps significantly – up to 36-38.5% on all gold brought in, including jewellery.
Duty must be paid in convertible foreign currency (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.) at the customs counter.
Example: You’re bringing a 100-gram gold bar purchased in the US for approximately ₹15,40,000 (at current prices). As an eligible passenger with 1+ year abroad:
Customs duty = ₹15,40,000 x 6% = approximately ₹92,400
That’s a significant amount. This is why many in our community prefer bringing gold in jewellery form – at least you get 20-40 grams duty-free.
Gold decorated with pearls or precious stones is not permitted as bars/coins. And gold cannot exceed 1 kg per passenger under any circumstances.
For those interested in investing in gold in India after arrival – through Sovereign Gold Bonds, Gold ETFs, or digital gold – there are often more cost-effective ways than physically carrying gold across borders.
Silver
Silver in any form other than ornaments is treated similarly to gold bars – no duty-free allowance, and it falls outside the general ₹75,000 exemption.
Silver jewellery worn for personal use follows the same “worn jewellery” clarification as gold – it should not be questioned if it’s clearly for personal use during travel.
Category 2: Electronics and Gadgets
This is the category most NRIs care about in 2026. Let me cover each item.
Laptops and Notebooks
One new laptop or notebook is allowed duty-free – separate from your ₹75,000 general allowance.
This is a specific, explicit exemption in the 2026 rules. You must be 18 years or older.
| What’s Covered | Duty |
|---|---|
| First new laptop/notebook | Duty-free (separate from ₹75,000 limit) |
| Second new laptop/notebook | Falls under ₹75,000 general allowance; duty on excess |
| Used laptop you’re already using | No duty (personal effect) |
Community tip: If you’re carrying a second laptop (say, a work laptop AND a personal one), the second one’s value counts against your ₹75,000 allowance. If both are clearly used and personal, customs generally doesn’t question it – but technically, the duty-free exemption is for one new laptop only.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are not specifically called out in the 2026 rules. They fall under the general ₹75,000 duty-free allowance.
| Scenario | Duty |
|---|---|
| Phone you’re already using (any value) | No duty – it’s a personal effect |
| One new phone under ₹75,000 value | Duty-free (within general allowance) |
| One new phone over ₹75,000 value | Duty on amount exceeding ₹75,000 at flat 10% + surcharge |
| Multiple new phones | Values add up; duty on total exceeding ₹75,000 |
Practical example: You buy a new iPhone in the US worth approximately ₹1,20,000. You’re already using your old phone.
The new iPhone falls under your ₹75,000 allowance. Duty applies on ₹1,20,000 – ₹75,000 = ₹45,000.
At the new 10% rate + surcharge: approximately ₹4,950 to ₹5,500 in duty.
Under the old rules, this would have been about ₹16,000 in duty. The 2026 rules are a massive improvement.
Reality check from our community: Many members report that customs officers rarely question a single phone that’s clearly for personal use – even if it’s new and still sealed. But carrying 2-3 new sealed phones? That will almost certainly get flagged.
Other Electronics
| Item | Duty Treatment |
|---|---|
| iPad / Tablet | Falls under ₹75,000 general allowance |
| Smartwatch (Apple Watch, etc.) | Falls under ₹75,000 general allowance |
| Camera | Falls under ₹75,000 general allowance |
| Gaming console | Falls under ₹75,000 general allowance |
| Television | Not allowed duty-free at all – always dutiable, even under ₹75,000 |
| Drone | Prohibited – cannot be imported by passengers at all |
TVs are specifically excluded from the duty-free list in all categories.
If you’re shipping a TV as part of your household goods, it falls under Transfer of Residence rules (covered below).
Drones are completely prohibited.
India banned passenger import of drones for security reasons. Do not carry a drone into India – it will be confiscated.
For setting up your home with electronics after arriving, our guide on smart home setup in India covers what’s available locally and what’s worth bringing from abroad.
Category 3: Alcohol and Tobacco
These have specific limits that sit outside the general ₹75,000 allowance.
Alcohol
| Allowance | Limit |
|---|---|
| Duty-free alcohol | 2 litres per passenger |
| Excess alcohol | Dutiable at commercial import rates (very high – 100%+) |
Two litres is two standard bottles of wine or spirits. That’s it.
If you exceed 2 litres, the duty isn’t just the flat 10% – alcohol and tobacco are charged at full commercial import duty rates, which can be 100-150%+ of the value. Not worth it.
Community wisdom: Don’t try to bring more than 2 bottles. The duty on excess alcohol is brutal, and customs officers specifically look for this. Two bottles per person is generous enough for gifts or personal stock.
Tobacco
| Allowance | Limit |
|---|---|
| Cigarettes | 100 sticks per passenger |
| Cigars | 25 cigars per passenger |
| Loose tobacco | 125 grams per passenger |
Like alcohol, excess tobacco is charged at full commercial import rates, not the flat 10%.
Category 4: Currency and Foreign Exchange
This doesn’t involve customs duty, but it’s closely related to what you declare at the airport.
| Currency Type | Limit | Declaration Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign currency notes | No limit on bringing in | Yes – if exceeding USD 5,000 in cash notes |
| Foreign exchange (total including traveller’s cheques, cards) | No limit on bringing in | Yes – if aggregate exceeds USD 10,000 |
| Indian currency (bringing into India) | ₹25,000 maximum (for Indian residents returning) | N/A |
| Indian currency (taking out of India) | ₹25,000 maximum | N/A |
Key point: There’s no upper limit on how much foreign currency you can bring into India.
But you must declare it on the Currency Declaration Form (CDF) if it exceeds the thresholds above. Failing to declare is a serious offence.
For detailed information on sending money to India or understanding purpose codes for transfers, we have dedicated guides.
Category 5: Transfer of Residence (For NRIs Moving Back Permanently)
This is the big one for NRIs who are returning to India for good.
Transfer of Residence (ToR) gives you significantly higher duty-free limits for your household goods.
Who Qualifies
You must have lived abroad for at least 2 years continuously to get the full benefit. Shorter stays get smaller allowances.
| Duration Abroad | Duty-Free Household Goods Allowance |
|---|---|
| 3 to 6 months | ₹60,000 |
| 6 to 12 months | ₹1,00,000 |
| 1 to 2 years | ₹2,00,000 |
| 2+ years (full ToR benefit) | ₹7.5 lakh (new 2026 limit, up from ₹5 lakh) |
The ₹7.5 lakh limit under the 2026 rules is a significant improvement. This covers used personal and household articles – clothes, books, kitchenware, furniture, small appliances, etc.
What’s Allowed Duty-Free Under ToR
Completely duty-free (within the overall ₹7.5 lakh limit, must be used):
- Clothing and personal effects
- Books and stationery
- Kitchen utensils and cookware
- Furniture
- Small appliances (mixer, juicer, iron, toaster, etc.)
- Bedding and linens
- Personal computer / desktop (one unit)
- Laptop (one unit)
- Refrigerator up to 300 litres (one unit)
- Washing machine (one unit)
- Cooking range (electric or LPG)
Only one unit of each item per family is allowed under duty-free ToR.
Items Allowed at Reduced Duty (15% + cess) Under ToR
These items – whether new or used – attract a concessional duty of approximately 15-16.5%:
- Television (any type – LCD, LED, plasma)
- Air conditioner
- Dishwasher
- Music system / home theater
- Video camera
- Microwave oven
- Refrigerator above 300 litres
- Deep freezer
- DVD/Blu-ray player
Important: Only the first unit of each gets the concessional rate. A second TV or second AC? Full duty at 35.7%+.
Items NOT Allowed Under ToR
- Firearms and ammunition
- Alcohol and wine (import duties of approximately 150-160% + penalties)
- Drones (completely prohibited)
- Cars (customs duty approximately 208% of CIF value – essentially makes it impractical)
- Motorcycles (customs duty approximately 185% of CIF value)
Community advice on cars: Don’t ship your car. The duty alone makes it 3x the price. Buy a car in India instead – our guide on cars for returning NRIs covers the best options.
How Depreciation Works on Used Items
For used items, customs calculates value after depreciation:
- Year 1: 16% depreciation
- Year 2: 12% depreciation
- Year 3: 10% depreciation
So a 3-year-old item is valued at approximately 62% of its original price. This reduces your duty significantly on older electronics and appliances.
Pro tip from our community: Keep purchase receipts for expensive items you plan to ship. If you can’t prove the purchase price, customs may assign a value based on current market rates – which could be higher than what you paid.
For detailed guidance on shipping household goods to India, including choosing a shipping company and the customs clearance process, we have a separate guide.
Unaccompanied Baggage Rules
Your ToR shipment doesn’t have to arrive with you on the same flight.
- Shipment must be dispatched within 1 month of your arrival in India (extendable with customs permission)
- Shipment can arrive up to 2 months before your arrival, or up to 1 year after (with customs permission for delays beyond 2 months)
- You must carry a packing list that matches your shipment
Category 6: Food Items and Consumables
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Packaged food for personal use | Allowed within ₹75,000 general limit |
| Home-cooked food / perishables | Generally allowed in reasonable quantities |
| Spices, dry fruits, chocolates | Allowed within general limit |
| Meat and dairy products | Subject to FSSAI regulations; may be restricted |
| Seeds and plants | Require phytosanitary certificate |
| Foreign nationals’ foodstuff (in ToR shipment) | Up to ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 duty-free |
Category 7: Medicines and Medical Equipment
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Prescription medicines (personal supply) | Allowed – carry prescription and doctor’s letter |
| Over-the-counter medicines | Allowed in reasonable personal quantities |
| Medical equipment (wheelchair, CPAP, etc.) | Allowed duty-free as personal medical necessity |
| Bulk medicines (not for personal use) | Requires import license |
Tip: If you or a family member takes specific prescription medication that may not be available in India, bring a 3-6 month supply along with the prescription. Customs doesn’t typically question reasonable personal medicine quantities.
Category 8: Prohibited and Restricted Items
These items are either banned outright or require special permissions.
Completely Prohibited:
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
- Pornographic material
- Counterfeit currency
- Weapons and ammunition (without license)
- Maps and literature that threaten India’s integrity
- Drones (for security reasons)
- Wild animal products (ivory, fur, certain skins)
Restricted (need permits or have special conditions):
- Firearms – require valid arms license; maximum 50 cartridges
- Pets – only dogs and cats, maximum 2 per passenger (must have stayed abroad 2+ years, need veterinary certificates)
- Satellite phones – require Department of Telecom permission
- Indian currency above ₹25,000
- Plants and seeds – require phytosanitary certificate
- Certain electronics like walkie-talkies
Seriously – don’t mess with prohibited items.
Indian customs has become significantly more sophisticated with scanning technology. Items found in the Green Channel that should have been declared can lead to confiscation, heavy fines, and even prosecution.
The ATITHI App – Your Best Friend at Indian Customs
The 2026 rules introduced mandatory digital customs declarations. The two main platforms are:
ATITHI (Aarogyasetu Travellers Identity Help In Health & Immigration) – India’s official customs declaration app.
Air Suvidha – integrated into the broader arrival platform.
How it works:
- Download the ATITHI app before your flight
- Fill in your customs declaration digitally – what you’re carrying, approximate values, any items to declare
- Submit before landing
- You’ll receive a QR code or confirmation
- Show this at customs for faster clearance
Community feedback: Members who pre-declare through ATITHI consistently report faster clearance times. Several members from our Delhi and Mumbai groups say it reduced their customs wait from 30-45 minutes to under 10 minutes.
Important: Even with digital declaration, if you have dutiable goods, you still need to go through the Red Channel and pay duty at the counter.
Green Channel vs. Red Channel
Every Indian international airport has two customs channels.
Green Channel (Nothing to Declare):
Use this if you’re carrying nothing above the duty-free limits, no prohibited items, and no items that need declaration.
Walk through with your bags. Random checks may still happen.
Red Channel (Goods to Declare):
Use this if you have any dutiable goods, items exceeding duty-free limits, gold bars/coins, excess alcohol/tobacco, or foreign currency above declaration thresholds.
Declare your items, get them assessed, pay duty, and collect your receipt.
A critical warning: If you walk through the Green Channel carrying dutiable or prohibited goods and get caught, you face confiscation of goods, heavy fines (up to 5x the duty amount), and potential prosecution. It’s never worth the risk.
When in doubt, use the Red Channel. Declaring honestly and paying a small duty is infinitely better than getting caught trying to avoid it.
Practical Scenarios NRIs Actually Face
Let me walk through some real situations from our community.
Scenario 1: “I’m visiting India for 2 weeks with gifts”
What you’re carrying: A new iPhone (₹1,20,000), a smartwatch (₹35,000), perfume and cosmetics (₹15,000), clothes for family (₹20,000), 2 bottles of wine, 40 grams of gold earrings (you’re a woman who’s lived abroad 3 years).
How it works:
- Gold earrings: Duty-free (40 grams for women, 1+ year abroad)
- Wine: Duty-free (2 litres within limit)
- Laptop (if carrying one): Duty-free (separate exemption)
- Everything else adds up: ₹1,20,000 + ₹35,000 + ₹15,000 + ₹20,000 = ₹1,90,000
- Minus ₹75,000 duty-free = ₹1,15,000 dutiable amount
- Duty at new 10% rate + surcharge ≈ ₹12,650 to ₹13,000
Under the old rules, this would have cost approximately ₹41,000 in duty. The 2026 rules saved you about ₹28,000.
Scenario 2: “I’m a man bringing gold chains as gifts”
What you’re carrying: 80 grams of gold chains (for family), and you’ve been in the US for 5 years.
How it works:
- First 20 grams: Duty-free (jewellery allowance for men, 1+ year abroad)
- Remaining 60 grams: Dutiable
- Value of 60 grams at current prices: approximately ₹9,24,000
- Duty at 6% for eligible passenger: approximately ₹55,440
Declare everything at the Red Channel. Have purchase receipts ready.
Scenario 3: “We’re moving back permanently – shipping our whole house”
What you’re shipping: Furniture, kitchen items, clothes, books, one TV, one washing machine, one refrigerator (250L), one AC, personal computer, microwave.
How it works (ToR, 2+ years abroad):
- Furniture, kitchen, clothes, books, washing machine, refrigerator, personal computer: Duty-free (within ₹7.5 lakh used goods allowance)
- TV: 15% + cess concessional duty (ToR special rate)
- AC: 15% + cess concessional duty
- Microwave: 15% + cess concessional duty
Calculate TV, AC, and microwave values after depreciation (say they’re 2 years old): approximately 72% of original price. Then apply 15% + cess.
For the complete financial checklist for returning NRIs, including customs planning, we have a dedicated resource.
10 Tips from Our Community for a Smooth Customs Experience
These are lessons learned from thousands of NRI arrivals reported in our WhatsApp groups.
1. Pre-declare on the ATITHI app.
It genuinely speeds things up and shows good faith.
2. Keep all purchase receipts.
For anything new or expensive, carry the receipt in your hand luggage. It helps establish value if questioned.
3. Don’t pool duty-free allowances.
Each person’s ₹75,000 is individual. Don’t pack all new items in one person’s bag.
4. Separate declared items.
If you know you’ll go through the Red Channel, pack dutiable items in an easily accessible part of your luggage. Officers appreciate not having to dig through your entire suitcase.
5. Carry foreign currency for gold duty.
Gold duty must be paid in foreign currency. Don’t convert everything to INR before arriving if you’re carrying gold.
6. Arrive during staffed hours if possible.
Late-night arrivals may face fewer officers and longer waits.
7. Be calm and honest.
Customs officers are trained to spot nervousness. If you’ve declared everything correctly, you have nothing to worry about. Be polite, answer clearly, and the process goes smoothly.
8. Get an Export Certificate for expensive jewellery.
Before you leave India, have customs document any high-value jewellery you’re wearing. This prevents issues when you return.
9. If transferring residence, prepare a detailed packing list.
List every item, its approximate value, and age. Your customs broker will need this for clearance.
10. Don’t carry items for others.
A classic airport mistake. If someone asks you to “carry this small package,” politely decline. You are responsible for everything in your bags.
For more on what to bring from abroad to India, our pre-return planning guide covers the complete checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I exceed the ₹75,000 limit by just a small amount?
You pay duty only on the excess. At the new 10% rate, small overages mean small duties. On a ₹10,000 excess, you’d pay about ₹1,100. Don’t stress about it – but do declare it.
Can I bring a new phone AND a new laptop within the ₹75,000 limit?
The laptop is duty-free separately (doesn’t count toward ₹75,000). So yes – your new phone’s value goes against the ₹75,000 general limit, and the laptop is free on top of that.
What about a phone I’m already using – does that count?
No. A phone, laptop, or other gadget you’re already using is considered a personal effect. It doesn’t count toward any limit. The duty-free limits apply to new purchases being brought in.
I’m an OCI card holder. Do I get the same allowances?
Yes. Under the 2026 rules, OCI cardholders get the same ₹75,000 general duty-free allowance as Indian residents and NRIs.
What if customs asks about my worn jewellery?
The 2026 rules explicitly clarify that jewellery worn for personal use during travel is duty-free. If you face questions, calmly explain it’s personal jewellery you regularly wear. An Export Certificate from a previous trip eliminates this issue entirely.
Can children carry items?
Children get the ₹75,000 allowance, but cannot carry alcohol, tobacco, or firearms. Infants generally don’t get a separate duty-free allowance for new goods.
What happens if I don’t declare and get caught?
Goods can be confiscated. Fines can be up to 5x the duty amount. You could also face prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962. It’s simply not worth the risk.
Is there duty on bringing US Dollars into India?
No duty on foreign currency. But you must declare it if cash notes exceed USD 5,000 or total foreign exchange (including traveller’s cheques) exceeds USD 10,000.
Can I bring my pet to India?
Yes, but only dogs and cats (maximum 2). You must have stayed abroad for 2+ years continuously. Veterinary certificates and health documentation are required. Contact your airline about pet travel policies well in advance.
What about bringing medicines?
Prescription medicines for personal use are allowed – carry the prescription. Over-the-counter medicines in reasonable personal quantities are fine. Bulk quantities require an import license.
Quick Reference Card – Print This Before Your Flight
Your duty-free allowance: ₹75,000 (if arriving by air/sea)
Plus, separately:
- 1 laptop (duty-free, if 18+)
- Gold jewellery: 40g (women) or 20g (men) – must have been abroad 1+ year
- Alcohol: 2 litres
- Tobacco: 100 cigarettes OR 25 cigars OR 125g
Duty rate on excess: Flat 10% + surcharge (approximately 11%)
Declare if carrying:
- Gold bars, coins, or bullion (any amount)
- Foreign currency cash exceeding USD 5,000
- Total foreign exchange exceeding USD 10,000
- Goods exceeding ₹75,000 in value
- Any restricted item
Always use Red Channel for: Gold bars/coins, excess valuables, currency declaration, restricted items
Download before flying: ATITHI app for digital customs declaration
Carry with you: Purchase receipts, passport, boarding pass, prescription for medicines
My Honest Take
After watching thousands of NRIs navigate Indian customs over the years, here’s what I’ve learned.
The 2026 rules are genuinely better. The higher limits, lower duty rates, weight-based jewellery rules, and digital declarations have made the process more predictable and fair.
But the system still relies heavily on individual customs officers’ interpretation. Two people carrying identical items can have slightly different experiences at two different airports.
The best strategy? Be honest, be prepared, and be organized. Declare what needs declaring. Have your receipts ready. Use the ATITHI app. Go through the right channel.
In all the years I’ve been helping NRIs, I’ve never once heard of someone regretting honest declaration. But I’ve heard dozens of stories about people regretting the attempt to sneak something through.
It’s not worth it. Pay the small duty, keep your peace of mind, and walk out of that airport stress-free.
Have questions about what you can bring on your next India trip? Join our WhatsApp community at https://backtoindia.com/groups – 20,000+ NRIs helping each other with real, lived experience. Someone in the group has probably carried the exact same items you’re worried about. It’s free and volunteer-run.
Disclaimer: This guide is based on the Baggage Rules 2026 notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), effective February 2, 2026. Rules, rates, and enforcement can change. Always verify the latest rules on the CBIC website (cbic.gov.in) or the ATITHI app before traveling. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs advice.
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