Passengers Traveling to India Can Now Carry Rs75K Worth of Goods Duty-Free

Travellers flying back to India can now bring in up to ₹75,000 worth of imported goods duty-free under revised customs regulations that came into effect from 2 February 2026, marking a significant update to India’s baggage rules first established over a decade ago.

The Baggage Rules, 2026, notified by the Indian government as part of the Union Budget 2026, raise the duty-free limit for passengers arriving by air or sea to ₹75,000 (approximately US $900), up from the previous ₹50,000 ceiling, aligning the allowance with modern travel and spending patterns.

Under the new framework, the higher exemption applies to Indian residents, non-resident Indians (NRIs), tourists of Indian origin, and foreign nationals holding valid long-term visas who bring goods into India for personal use, provided the items are carried either on the person or in bona fide accompanied baggage.

Foreign tourists visiting India also benefit from a higher duty-free limit, with their cap increased to ₹25,000 from the previous ₹15,000 under the older baggage rules.

Updated Jewellery and Personal Item Allowances

The 2026 regulations also introduce clearer exemptions for jewellery, a change that many NRIs and expatriates have welcomed. Returning passengers who have lived abroad for more than one year can now carry gold jewellery duty-free: up to 40 grams for female passengers and 20 grams for other passengers, as long as the items form part of bona fide baggage.

Authorities say these updated concessions, including relaxed value caps and simplified rules, reflect the realities of rising travel volumes and retail purchases abroad. They are expected to ease compliance and enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers returning to India each year.

Broader Impact and Travel Benefits

Beyond duty-free goods, the new baggage regime is designed to simplify customs clearance and reduce procedural hurdles at busy international airports. Personal electronic items such as one laptop per adult passenger may also be brought in without customs duty, subject to existing guidelines, while travellers should continue to declare prohibited or restricted items as required.

The updated allowance is part of broader efforts by Indian authorities to modernise border processes, support tourism, and encourage legitimate shopping by travellers returning from trips abroad.

Travellers planning to return to India after spending time overseas are advised to keep invoices or purchase receipts on hand and familiarise themselves with the new Baggage Rules, 2026 to fully benefit from the enhanced duty-free entitlements at customs.