India Boosts Duty-Free Baggage Allowance to ₹75,000, Unveils New Rules from Feb 3

The Centre has increased the value limit for duty-free goods that passengers can bring into India, raising it from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 under the newly notified Baggage Rules, 2026.

The updated rules, which come into force from midnight on February 2, replace the baggage regulations that had been in place for the past decade. Under the new framework, Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin arriving by air or sea will be allowed to bring articles worth up to ₹75,000 without paying customs duty, provided the items are carried on their person or in bona fide accompanied baggage.

The government has also revised the duty-free allowance for foreign tourists. Visitors of foreign origin, excluding infants, can now bring goods worth up to ₹25,000 duty-free, up from the earlier limit of ₹15,000.

In addition, the rules continue to provide concessions on personal jewellery for Indians returning after long stays abroad. A resident or tourist of Indian origin who has lived overseas for more than one year may bring jewellery duty-free up to 40 grams if the passenger is female, and up to 20 grams for other passengers, provided the jewellery is carried in bona fide baggage.

For the purpose of the rules, jewellery has been defined as personal adornments typically worn by individuals and made of gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals, whether or not they are studded.

The revised baggage norms are aimed at updating customs regulations in line with current travel patterns and passenger needs.