Customs Rules
Import regulations::
Free import (import by non-residents, however, is only permitted if they enter India for a stay of not less than 24 hours and not more than 6 months, provided they visit India not more than once a month)
a. persons of 17 years of age and older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco; 2 litres of alcoholic liquor or wine;
b. medicines in reasonable quantities;
c. 2 ounces of perfume and 1/4 litre of toilet water;
d. travel souvenirs imported by:
- nationals and residents of India or if being of Indian origin provided being 10 years of age or older:
- if returning from Bhutan, China (People's Rep.), Myanmar or Nepal: up to INR 6,000.- if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: nil.
- if returning from other countries: up to INR 25,000.- if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: INR 12,000.-.
Persons under 10 years are allowed 1/4 of the value admitted to adults.
- nationals of, or being of origin, Bhutan and Nepal and coming from respective countries: nil. If coming from other countries: up to INR 8,000.-
- nationals of, or being of origin, Pakistan and coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.-. If coming from other countries: up to INR 8,000.-.
- all other nationals: up to INR 8,000.-. If coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.-.
e. Goods for personal use.
Goods in excess of the maximum permitted amount will be subject to an import duty of 60%.
Additional Information on regulations::
Firearms: It is advisable to obtain a possession licence in advance (or hold proof of exemption) in order to avoid delay and inconvenience on arrival.
A Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE) will be issued upon arrival to tourists for re-exportation of their expensive items duty free.
Livestock and livestock products: the import of these, by any means including cargo or baggage is restricted and requires a sanitary import permit, as well as a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC). A NOC must be obtained in advance from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS). Products include:
- meat and meat products of all kinds of fresh, chilled and frozen meat, tissue or organs;
- egg and egg powder;
- milk and milk products;
- bovine, ovine and caprine embryos, ova or semen;
- pet foods of animal origin;
- gelatin, fur, animal skin, wool, leather, carpets, horns, bone and bone grist, feathers, shuttle cock etc.
Prohibited: the following livestock and livestock products:
- all kinds of birds and bird products (incl. eggs, feathers, meat etc.); and
- pigs and pig meat products.
Seeds and plants: the import of seeds and plants for the purpose of sowing, planting and propogation, consumption, research and breeding requires an import permit. Import is restricted to the aiports of Amritsar (ATQ), Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MMA), Delhi (DEL), Guwahati (GAU), Kolkata (CCU), Mumbai (BOM), Patna (PAT), Shamshabad (HYD), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), Tiruchirapalli (TRZ), Varanasi (VNS).
Crew members customs regulations::
No duty-free allowance. Crew members must declare all dutiable goods on the PPL (Private Property List).
Pets::
Cats and Dogs: import of a max. of two pets per passenger at any one time is only permitted through Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkatta, Mumbai and Shamshabad (HYD). A “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) is mandatory, pets may be deported to country of origin if not holding a NOC. A NOC must be arranged at least 15 days prior to import and is obtained from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) at http://dahd.nic.in/rtia2005/animal_quarantine.htm. Passenger must also present the original Veterinary Certificate and Vaccination Record on arrival.
Baggage Clearance regulations::
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in India.
Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside India.
Airport Embarkation Tax
No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.
Currency rules
Currency Import regulations:
Foreign currencies : unlimited. However, amounts exceeding USD 5,000.- (or equivalent) in cash, or USD 10,000.- (or equivalent) in traveller's cheques must be declared;
Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR): INR 7,500.- for residents of India, except when arriving from Bhutan and Nepal. For residents arriving from Bhutan and Nepal: no limit in amount of INR but notes no bigger than INR 100.- may be carried.
Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveller's cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks and authorized money exchange points.
Currency Export regulations:
Foreign currencies : up to the amount imported and declared.
Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR): INR 7,500.- for residents of India, except when departing to Bhutan and Nepal. For residents departing to Bhutan and Nepal: no limit in amount of INR but notes no bigger than INR 100.- may be carried.
Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveller's cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks and authorized money exchange points.