Key Takeaways
- Duty-free import limit for passengers raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000.
- New rules effective from February 1, 2026.
- Duty-free alcohol allowance doubled to 2 litres; cigarettes increased to 200 sticks.
- Gold import rules revised, with a new duty-free limit of 1 kg under specific conditions.
The government has significantly increased the duty-free allowance for international passengers to Rs 75,000, up from Rs 50,000. The new baggage rules, notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), will come into force from February 1, 2026.
Enhanced Allowances for Accompanied Baggage
For Indian residents and foreign nationals living in India, the duty-free limit for goods brought in as accompanied baggage is now Rs 75,000. The limit for children under 10 years remains unchanged at Rs 25,000.
The revision also doubles the duty-free allowance for alcoholic beverages to 2 litres and cigarettes to 200 sticks, up from 1 litre and 100 sticks respectively.
Rules for Unaccompanied Baggage and Gold
The duty-free limit for unaccompanied baggage has seen a major jump to Rs 75,000 from Rs 15,000. This benefit applies only if the passenger has stayed abroad for a minimum of three days.
In a significant change, the rules for importing gold have been revised. Passengers can now bring in up to 1 kg of gold duty-free, provided they have been abroad for at least one year. This replaces the earlier gender-based limits of 10 kg for men and 20 kg for women.
Expected Impact
The move is anticipated to benefit tourists and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) by reducing customs liabilities. It aligns with the government’s broader objective to simplify customs processes and boost tourism and spending by international visitors in India.
