India Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulationsdetails

Customs Rules

Import regulations::

Free import (import by non­residents, however, is only permitted if they enter India for a stay of not less than 24 hoursand not more than 6 months, provided they visit India not more than once a month)a. persons of 17 years of age and older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco; 2 litres of alcoholic liquoror wine;b. medicines in reasonable quantities;c. 2 ounces of perfume and 1/4 litre of toilet water;d. jewelry, up to a combined value of INR 50,000.­ for male travelers or INR 100,000.­ for female travelers; e. travel souvenirs imported by:­ nationals and residents of India or if being of Indian origin provided being 10 years of age or older:­ if returning from Bhutan, China (People's Rep.), Myanmar or Nepal: up to INR 6,000.­ if stayed outside for more than 3days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: nil.­ if returning from other countries: up to INR 35,000.­ if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3days: INR 15,000.­.Persons under 10 years are allowed 1/4 of the value admitted to adults.­ nationals of, or being of origin, Bhutan and Nepal and coming from respective countries: nil. If coming from othercountries: up to INR 8,000.­­ nationals of, or being of origin, Pakistan and coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.­. If coming from other countries:up to INR 8,000.­.­ all other nationals: up to INR 8,000.­. If coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.­.f. goods for personal use.

Goods in excess of the maximum permitted amount will be subject to an import duty of 60%.

Arms and Ammunition regulations::

Import of one licensed revolver, pistol or shotgun and 50 cartridges is permitted, provided carried in secured, marked,registered baggage in the cargo hold.

Additional Information on regulations::

Radio controlled helicopters: only those operating at 27 MHz are permitted. Those operating on other bands will beinspected on a case by case basis and could be destoyed based on their technical specifications.

Seeds and plants: the import of seeds and plants for the purpose of sowing, planting and propogation, consumption,research and breeding requires an import permit. Import is restricted to the airports of Amritsar (ATQ), Bengaluru (BLR),Chennai (MMA), Delhi (DEL), Guwahati (GAU), Kolkata (CCU), Mumbai (BOM), Patna (PAT), Hyderabad (HYD),Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), Tiruchchirapalli (TRZ), Varanasi (VNS).

Livestock and livestock products: the import of these, by any means including cargo or baggage is restricted andrequires a sanitary import permit, as well as a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC). A NOC must be obtained in advancefrom the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS). Products include:­ meat and meat products of all kinds of fresh, chilled and frozen meat, tissue or organs;­ egg and egg powder;

­ milk and milk products;­ bovine, ovine and caprine embryos, ova or semen;­ pet foods of animal origin;­ gelatin, fur, animal skin, wool, leather, carpets, horns, bone and bone grist, feathers, shuttle cock etc.Prohibited: the following livestock and livestock products:­ all kinds of birds and bird products (incl. eggs, feathers, meat etc.); and­ pigs and pig meat products.

A minimum of 48 hours is required by the Airport Health Office for the importation of human remains or ashes. A deathcertificate is also required (in English or translated into English). A death certificate indicating cause of death asunknown or pending will not be accepted. Please contact airline for further requirements that apply to the carriage andimportation of bodies.

Crew members customs regulations::

No duty­free allowance. Crew members must declare all dutiable goods on the PPL (Private Property List).

Pets::

Cats and Dogs: import of a max. of two pets as baggage is allowed only: a. through Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Delhi (DEL), Kolkata (CCU), Mumbai (BOM) and Hyderabad (HYD);andb. if a pet is being imported for the first time by an owner owner who is transferring residence to India, after a minimumtwo years of continuous stay abroad; orif the pet is being re­imported into India; andc. upon presentation of health certificates from country of origin; and d. presentation of a "No Objection Certificate (NOC) arranged at least 15 days prior to import from the AnimalQuarantine and Certification Services (AQCS); ande. after Quarantine Officer examination upon arrival. In all other cases, a license from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) is required.

Baggage Clearance regulations::

Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in India.

Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside India.

Airport Embarkation TaxNo airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

Currency rules

Currency Import regulations:

Foreign currencies : unlimited. However, amounts exceeding USD 5,000.­ (or equivalent) in cash, or USD 10,000.­ (orequivalent) in traveller's cheques must be declared;Local currency (Indian Rupee­INR): Import of INR is prohibited, except for residents of India importing up to INR7,500.­

Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveller's cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks andauthorized money exchange points.

Currency Export regulations:

Passport, visa and health advice

Foreign currencies : up to the amount imported and declared.Local currency (Indian Rupee­INR): INR 7,500.­ for residents of India, except when departing to Bhutan and Nepal. Forresidents departing to Bhutan and Nepal: no limit in amount of INR but notes no bigger than INR 100.­ may be carried.

Foreign currencies include currency notes, traveller's cheques, cheques, drafts etc. (Re)exchange only through banks andauthorized money exchange points.

Passport, Visa & Health advice

India Passport, visa and health advice