India’s government has rolled out the Baggage Rules, 2026, effective February 2, 2026, boosting the duty-free allowance for international travelers to ₹75,000 from ₹50,000. This traveler-friendly update, announced post-Union Budget 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, slashes customs duty on excess personal imports to 10% plus surcharge, down from 20%.
Key Changes in Duty-Free Limits
Residents, NRIs, and those of Indian origin arriving by air or sea now enjoy ₹75,000 duty-free on personal goods like electronics, watches, and clothing. Foreign tourists get ₹25,000 (up from ₹15,000), while one laptop per adult passenger (18+) remains fully duty-free separately.
Jewelry allowances stay weight-based: 40g for women, 20g for others, for those abroad over a year. Transfer-of-residence perks scale up to ₹7.5 lakh for stays over 2 years abroad.
What Counts as Duty-Free?
Personal-use items qualify, including iPhones, MacBooks, Rolex watches, smartphones, cameras, and accessories—perfect for UAE/foreign shoppers. Exclusions: commercial goods, excess alcohol (2L limit), tobacco, gold bars, TVs, drones without clearance, and prohibited items like narcotics.
Exceeding ₹75,000? Pay 10% duty + 10% surcharge only on excess, making high-value buys like gadgets more affordable.
How to Comply: Declaration Process
Declare dutiable/prohibited goods electronically via ICEGATE portal or Atithi app using CBD-I form before Green/Red Channel. Carry invoices; customs flags multiples, no invoices, or suspicious patterns via risk assessment.
Advance declarations up to 3 days pre-arrival simplify clearance; pets need NOC.
Benefits for Indian Travelers Abroad
This Indian government initiative eases shopping abroad, especially electronics cheaper overseas, cutting surprise duties at airports like Delhi, Mumbai. NRIs from UAE/Gulf save on iPhones (₹1L+ in India vs. abroad), MacBooks, luxury watches within limits.
Uniform rules promote tourism, digital processes reduce detention—strengthening India’s global connectivity.
