Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.India has revised its customs baggage rules for passengers arriving from overseas, raising the duty-free allowance for Indian citizens and several other traveller categories. The duty-free limit has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, while the rules for carrying jewellery and essential items such as laptops have also been simplified. The finance ministry said the changes are aimed at reducing paperwork, improving transparency and speeding up customs clearance at airports. The new baggage rules came into force on February 2, 2026.
Revised duty-free allowance for travellers
The government has reworked duty-free limits based on travel mode and passenger category. For those arriving by air or sea, the general duty-free ceiling has been raised to ₹75,000. However, passengers entering India by road will not get any general duty-free exemption.
Under the revised norms:
* Indian residents can bring goods worth up to ₹75,000 duty-free.
* Tourists of Indian origin are also eligible for the ₹75,000 limit.
* Foreign nationals on non-tourist visas will get the same ₹75,000 exemption.
* Foreign tourists will now be allowed duty-free goods worth ₹25,000, up from ₹15,000.
* Airline crew members will continue to have a duty-free allowance of ₹2,500.
Jewellery rules shift from value to weight
Customs authorities have removed the price-based cap on jewellery and replaced it with a weight-based system. This relaxation applies to passengers who have stayed abroad for more than one year.
The revised jewellery rules allow:
* Female travellers to carry up to 40 grams of jewellery duty-free.
* Other travellers to carry jewellery up to 20 grams without paying duty.
Officials said the change will help reduce disputes during valuation and speed up clearance at arrival terminals.
Clearer norms for essential personal items
The updated baggage rules also redefine categories for essential personal belongings. Every passenger aged 18 years or above is allowed to bring one laptop without paying customs duty. If a second laptop is carried, applicable duty will be charged.
Pets have now been included under the duty-free category, subject to compliance with animal import regulations. Customs will also issue a temporary baggage export or import certificate for valuable items carried abroad for short durations, helping travellers avoid issues while returning.
Transfer of residence benefits expanded
For individuals permanently relocating to India after completing work assignments abroad, the transfer of residence benefits have been linked to the duration of overseas stay instead of item lists.
The revised limits are:
* Stay up to 12 months: ₹1.50 lakh exemption
* Stay between one and two years: ₹3 lakh exemption
* Stay beyond two years: ₹7.50 lakh exemption
Digital declaration to cut airport waiting time
To make customs clearance faster, the government has expanded digital declaration facilities. Travellers can now submit electronic declarations through the ICEGATE portal or the official mobile application.
This is expected to reduce waiting time at red and green channels, minimise manual checks and improve passenger flow at busy airports, especially during peak travel seasons.
