The Indian government has brought a major update for international travelers arriving in India. From midnight of February 2, 2026, the new Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026 have come into effect. These new rules replace the old 2016 regulations and have combined 35 older circulars into one single Master Circular. The main aim is to make airport clearance faster and simpler for passengers.
New Duty-Free Allowances for Travelers
One of the biggest benefits in the new rules is the increase in the duty-free limit. This means passengers can now bring more goods without paying customs duty. The government has raised the general allowance for residents and tourists of Indian origin to ₹75,000. Previously, this limit was ₹50,000. For foreign tourists, the limit has been increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.
Below is the detailed list of new limits:
| Passenger Category | New Duty-Free Limit |
| Indian Residents / Origin | ₹75,000 |
| Foreigners (Non-Tourist) | ₹75,000 |
| Foreign Tourists | ₹25,000 |
| Crew Members | ₹2,500 |
Digital Declaration and Jewellery Rules
The customs process is now going digital. Passengers are mandated to file their baggage declaration electronically through the Atithi app or the ICEGATE portal. You can do this before you arrive to get a QR code, which will help you clear customs much faster. Authorities at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai are working to reduce clearance time by 30% with this system.
There are also specific updates for gold and jewellery. The value-based caps are gone. Now, passengers staying abroad for more than one year can bring jewellery based on weight. Female passengers can bring up to 40 grams duty-free, while male passengers can bring up to 20 grams. Also, passengers aged 18 and above can bring one laptop without paying any duty.
