Key Takeaways
- Duty-free allowance for goods purchased abroad has doubled from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh for most international arrivals.
- The new ₹1 lakh limit excludes laptops, alcohol, and tobacco, which have separate allowances.
- Rules are effective from February 1, 2024, and apply only to goods carried in personal baggage.
India has significantly relaxed customs rules for international travellers, doubling the duty-free allowance for goods brought from abroad. The new limit, effective February 1, 2024, allows passengers to bring home items worth up to ₹1 lakh without paying any customs duty.
What Are the New Duty-Free Limits?
The key revision under the updated Passenger Baggage Rules, 2024, raises the duty-free allowance from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000. This applies to Indian residents and foreign visitors arriving from any country except Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar.
For passengers arriving from these three neighbouring nations, the limit stays at ₹15,000. To qualify for the ₹1 lakh allowance, travellers must have been abroad for more than three days, and all goods must be carried in their personal baggage.
Important Exclusions from the ₹1 Lakh Limit
The enhanced allowance does not cover certain high-value and regulated items. Passengers should note these separate, unchanged allowances:
- One Laptop: Remains duty-free if carried in baggage and is not counted towards the ₹1 lakh limit.
- Alcohol: Duty-free allowance is 2 litres of wine or liquor.
- Tobacco Products: Allowance is 100 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 125 grams of tobacco.
Official Rationale and Key Details
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) stated the revision aims to liberalise baggage rules and align them with current economic scenarios and global practices .
It is crucial to remember that these rules apply only to goods purchased abroad and carried in personal baggage. They do not cover items imported via courier or post, which follow different regulations.
Passengers must declare any goods exceeding these free allowances at the customs channel and pay the applicable duty.
