The Indian government has brought a major relief for international travelers by implementing the new Baggage Rules, 2026. Effective from February 2, these new regulations replace the decade-old rules from 2016. The Ministry of Finance has introduced these changes to modernize customs procedures, making the clearance process smoother and paperless for passengers arriving at Indian airports.
New Duty-Free Limits for Passengers
Under the new rules, the government has significantly raised the limit for duty-free goods that passengers can bring into India. This move acknowledges the current economic conditions and prices of goods.
- Indian Residents/Origin: The duty-free allowance has been increased to Rs 75,000 from the previous limit of Rs 50,000.
- Foreign Tourists: Visitors from other countries can now bring items worth up to Rs 25,000, up from Rs 15,000.
- Airline Crew: The allowance for crew members is now set at Rs 2,500.
- Land Arrivals: Passengers entering India via land borders get zero general duty-free allowance and can only carry necessary personal items.
Gold Jewellery and Laptop Rules
A major change has been made regarding the import of gold jewellery for residents returning after staying abroad for more than one year. The government has removed the old value caps, which had become irrelevant due to soaring gold prices. The new exemption is based strictly on the weight of the metal.
Female passengers can bring up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free, while other passengers can bring up to 20 grams. This benefit applies only to personal jewellery, not bars or coins. Additionally, every passenger over 18 years of age is allowed to bring one laptop duty-free over and above these allowances.
Transfer of Residence Benefits
For professionals and families moving back to India permanently, the rules for bringing household goods have been rationalized. The duty-free clearance now depends on how long the person has lived abroad.
| Stay Duration Abroad | Duty-Free Allowance Limit |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 Months | Rs 1,50,000 |
| 1 to 2 Years | Rs 3,00,000 |
| Above 2 Years | Rs 7,50,000 |
