India Customs Rules 2026: Duty-Free Allowance, Banned Items & Cash Limit

Duty-free allowance in India

Residents and tourists of Indian origin arriving by air/sea: articles up to ₹75,000 duty-free (cannot be pooled with other passengers). ✅ Official

Tourists of foreign origin: articles up to ₹25,000 duty-free. ✅ Official

Baggage duty of about 38.5% (35% + 10% social welfare surcharge) on the excess. ≈ Estimated

Status

Gold jewellery	declare	Duty-free jewellery for residents/Indian-origin travellers abroad over 1 year: 40 g (female) or 20 g (others), by weight only, with no value cap. Declare anything above that. ✅ Official
Gold bars & coins	declare	Gold bars and coins are not covered by the jewellery allowance. Declare them and pay duty. ≈ Estimated
Mobile phones	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Laptops & tablets	allowed	One new laptop/notebook is duty-free for passengers aged 18+, in addition to the general allowance. ✅ Official
Other electronics	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Watches	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Perfume & cosmetics	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Clothing & shoes	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Gifts & other goods	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Alcohol	allowed	About 2 litres of alcohol duty-free. ≈ Estimated
Cigarettes & tobacco	allowed	About 100 cigarettes duty-free. ≈ Estimated
E-cigarettes / vapes	prohibited	E-cigarettes are banned in India. ≈ Estimated
Cash & currency	declare	Declare foreign currency over US$10,000 (or banknotes over US$5,000). Indian rupees are limited to ₹25,000. ≈ Estimated
Medicines	restricted	Personal-use medicines are usually allowed with a prescription. Controlled medicines (strong painkillers, sedatives, ADHD drugs) may need prior approval. ≈ Estimated
Packaged food & sweets	allowed	No special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Meat, milk & dairy	restricted	Meat and meat products must be declared and may be refused. ≈ Estimated
Plants, seeds & fruit	restricted	Plants, seeds and fresh fruit usually need a phytosanitary certificate. Declare them. ≈ Estimated
Drones	restricted	Drones need DGCA/DGFT authorisation. Declare them. ≈ Estimated
Weapons & ammunition	restricted	Firearms, ammunition and many knives need an import permit or licence issued in advance. ≈ Estimated
Narcotics & drugs	prohibited	Illegal drugs are prohibited in practically every country. Penalties can include long prison sentences or worse. ≈ Estimated

Declare or pay online

ATITHI – advance customs declaration: Declare dutiable goods and currency online before boarding your flight to India. ✅ Official

Leaving India

Declare high-value items (jewellery, cameras, laptops) on departure so you can bring them back duty-free. ≈ Estimated

⚖️ If you don't declare

Undeclared gold or goods: confiscation under the Customs Act 1962, with a penalty and duty to redeem them.
Large-value gold smuggling can lead to arrest and prosecution.
E-cigarettes, drugs and satellite phones: seizure and prosecution.

≈ Estimated

Frequently asked questions

How much can I bring duty-free from to India?

Residents and tourists of Indian origin arriving by air/sea: articles up to ₹75,000 duty-free (cannot be pooled with other passengers).

How much cash can I carry to India?

Declare foreign currency over US$10,000 (or banknotes over US$5,000). Indian rupees are limited to ₹25,000.

Can I pay customs duty online before travelling to India?

ATITHI – advance customs declaration: Declare dutiable goods and currency online before boarding your flight to India.

Popular routes

Sources

✅ Official CBIC – Baggage Rules, 2026 (Notification 14/2026-Customs (N.T.))

Last checked: 2026-11-09