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  3. Should you take your electronics back when returning to India?
Moving Logistics & First 90 Days
  1. 1Deciding
  2. 2Getting ready
  3. 3Making the move
  4. 4Life after landing

You're making the move — logistics, shipping, house-hunt and the first 90 days on the ground.

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Should you take your electronics back when returning to India?

Mani Karthik·March 31, 2023·2 min read·Making the move

Reviewed by returnees. Cross-checked with RBI, Income Tax Department and MEA. Editorial policy.

Picture this: you’re an NRI who’s finally decided to pack up and head back to India for good.

You’ve spent years in the land of the free, where electronics are cheap and plentiful, and you’ve amassed a collection of gadgets that would make the most tech-savvy person envious.

Take electronics back to India?

But now comes the million-dollar question: should you take all of your electronics with you when you move back to India?

Well, here’s the deal: it’s not a straightforward answer.

On the one hand, you’ve got all this awesome tech that you’ve invested in over the years, and you don’t want to leave it behind.

On the other hand, there are a few factors that might make you think twice before lugging all of your electronics across the globe.

Firstly, you need to consider the power situation in India.

The voltage and plug types are different from what you’re used to in the USA, which means you’ll need to use voltage converters and plug adapters to make your gadgets work in India.

Plus, power outages are not uncommon in India, so you’ll need to have backup power sources like inverters and generators if you want to keep your gadgets charged and functioning during these times.

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Shipping costs

Secondly, you need to think about the cost of shipping your electronics to India.

Shipping costs can be exorbitant, especially for bulky items like TVs and home theater systems.

Plus, there’s always the risk of damage during transit, which could render your precious gadgets useless.

Lastly, you need to be aware of the import duties and taxes you’ll have to pay when bringing electronics into India.

The Indian government levies heavy duties on electronic goods, which could end up making your gadgets a lot more expensive than you originally paid for them.

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So, what’s the verdict?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that’s right for you.

If you’re willing to put in the effort to make your gadgets work in India and are prepared to pay the extra costs associated with importing them, then by all means, bring them with you.

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But if you’re not too attached to your electronics and are willing to start afresh in India, then leaving them behind might be the more practical option.

After all, there’s a certain thrill in starting anew, right?

So, whether you’re ready to embrace the latest tech trends in India or stick with what you already have, remember to approach the decision with an open mind, a sense of humor, and a willingness to adapt.

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Written by

Mani Karthik

Mani Karthik

Founder, BackToIndia · Returnee since 2016

Mani Karthik is an entrepreneur who moved back to India in 2016 after nearly a decade living and working in the US and the Middle East. He started BackToIndia to help other NRIs navigate the move — banking, taxes, schooling, careers and the everyday reality of resettling in India.

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