CUSTOMS GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS

9. Who can import silver as baggage?

Ans. The following passengers are eligible to import silver:

(a) Any passenger of Indian origin (even if a foreign national).

(b) Any passenger holding a valid passport issued under the Passport Act, 1967.

Conditions:

(i) The weight of silver (including ornaments) should not exceed 10 Kgs. per passenger.

(ii) Such passengers are coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad. However, short visits during these six months shall be ignored if the total duration of such short visits does not exceed 30 days and the passenger has not availed of the exemption under this scheme, at the time of such short visits.

(iii) The duty at the rate of 12.5% Ad valorem + 1.25% Social Welfare Surcharge is paid by the passenger in convertible foreign currency. Tariff value of silver is taken as per the notifications issued from time to time.

(iv) The passenger can either bring the silver himself at the time of arrival or import the same within fifteen days of his arrival in India.

(v) The passenger can also obtain the permitted quantity of gold from Customs bonded warehouse of State Bank of India and Metals and Mineral Trading Corporation subject to conditions (i) and (ii) above. He is required to file a declaration in the prescribed Form before the Customs Officer at the time of arrival in India stating his intention to obtain the gold from the Customs bonded warehouse and pay the duty before clearance.

(vi) Import of Gold and Silver by a foreign national is prohibited.

10. What are the norms for import of Foreign Exchange/ Currency?

Ans. Any person can bring into India from a place outside India foreign exchange without any limit. However, declaration of foreign exchange/ currency is required to be made in the prescribed Currency Declaration Form in the following cases:-

(a) Where the value of foreign currency notes exceeds US $5,000/- or equivalent

(b) Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveller cheques etc.) exceeds US $10,000/- or its equivalent

11. What are the norms for the import of Indian Currency?

Ans. Import of Indian Currency is prohibited. However, passengers normally resident in India who are returning from a visit abroad can bring Indian Currency up to Rs.25,000.

12. While coming into India how much foreign exchange can be brought in by NRIs?

Ans. An NRI coming into India from abroad can bring foreign exchange without any limit provided if foreign currency notes, travellers cheques, etc. exceed US $10,000/- or its equivalent and/ or the value of foreign currency exceeds US $5,000/- in currency notes or its equivalent, it should be declared to the Customs Authorities at the Airport in the Currency Declaration Form, on arrival in India.

13. What are the norms for the import of firearms? Ans. Import of firearms is prohibited. Likewise, the import of Cartridges in excess of 50 is also prohibited. However, persons transferring their residence (subject to fulfilment of requisite conditions of Transfer of Residence) to India for a minimum period of one year are allowed to import one firearm of permissible bore subject to the conditions that:

(i) The firearm was in possession and used abroad by the passenger for a minimum period of one year.

(ii) The firearm, after clearance shall not be sold, loaned, transferred or parted with in any manner during the life time of the passenger.

(iii) The firearm will be allowed clearance under Transfer of Residence facility, on payment of applicable duty provided the passenger holds a valid arms license from the local authorities.

14. What are the norms for the import of pet animals?

Ans. Import of pets (dogs or cats) up to two numbers per passenger is allowed as baggage, only to persons transferring their residence to India after two year of continuous stay abroad subject to production of required health certificate from country of origin and examination of the said pets by the animal quarantine officer without an import license issued by DGFT. Import of pets is allowed only at airports having animal quarantine facility, viz. at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Passengers can also re-import the pets which were being taken away with them as export with prior certification from the Animal Quarantine officer. For details please refer http://dgftcom.nic.in/exim/2000/petguidelines.pdf and http://aqcsindia.gov.in/pdf/trade-24.pdf

15. Can a passenger import seeds/plants/fruits/flowers?

Ans. Only certain plants and plant materials in Schedules V, VI and VII of the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 are allowed to be imported into India subject to conditions. Passengers should ensure that regulated plant species should be accompanied with a Phytosanitary certificate issued by an authorized officer at the country of origin. For details, please refer to http://plantquarantineindia.nic.in/PQISMain/Default.aspx

16. What are the norms for the import of baggage of deceased person?

Ans. Used, bonafide personal and household effects belonging to a deceased person are allowed to be imported free of duty subject to the condition that a certificate from the concerned Indian Mission (Embassy/High Commission/Consulate) is produced at the time of clearance regarding the ownership of the goods by the deceased person.

17. What are rules & regulations for the import of unaccompanied baggage?

Ans. The passengers can send their baggage through cargo which is treated as unaccompanied baggage. However, no free allowance is admissible in case of unaccompanied baggage which is chargeable to Customs duty @ 35% ad valorem + 3.5% social welfare surcharge (total 38.5% duty) and only used personal effects can be imported free of duty. The applicable conditions are:

(i) Provisions of Baggage Rules are also extended to unaccompanied baggage except where they have been specifically excluded.

(ii) The unaccompanied baggage should be in the possession abroad of the passenger and shall be dispatched within one month of his arrival in India or within such further period as the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs may allow.

(iii) The unaccompanied baggage may land in India up to two months before the arrival of the passenger or within such period, not exceeding one year as the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs may allow, for reasons to be recorded, if he is satisfied that the passenger was prevented from arriving in India within the period of two months due to circumstances beyond his control, such as sudden illness of the passenger or a member of his family, or natural calamities or disturbed conditions or disruption of the transport or travel arrangements in the country or countries concerned on any other reasons, which necessitated a change in the travel schedule of the passenger.

18. What are the entitlements of a passenger who is transferring residence to India?

Ans. Depending on minimum the time period stayed abroad by the passenger and fulfilment of conditions, various articles are allowed free of duty up to a specified limit.

(a) 3-6 months: aggregate value of Rs.60,000

(b) 6 months- l year: aggregate value of Rs.1,00,000

(c) Minimum 1 year during preceding two years: aggregate value of Rs.1,00,000

(d) Minimum stay of two years or more: upto a value of Rs. 5 lakhs.

These allowances are subject to fulfilment of conditions and are only available on specific items. For further details, Rule 6 of the Baggage Rules, 2016 may please be referred. (https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources/htdocs-cbec/baggage-rules.pdf)

19. What is detained baggage?

Ans. A passenger may request the Customs to detain his baggage either for re-export at the time of his departure from India or for clearance subsequently on payment of duty. The detained baggage would be examined and full details will be inventoried. Such baggage is kept in the custody of the Customs and a Detention Receipt will be issued.

20. What am I supposed to do in case of mishandled baggage?

Ans. In case the baggage is lost or mishandled by the airlines, a procedure is in place for clearance of such baggage by Customs, which allows the passenger to have delivery of his baggage at his door step by the airlines.

There is no need to handover the passport or the keys of the baggage to the airlines. The passenger has to first file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with the airlines for the missing baggage. At the same time, he/she has to file a declaration indicating contents in the missing baggage. The passenger is required to obtain a certificate to that effect from the airlines and get it countersigned by Customs indicating specifically the unutilized portion of the free allowance. This would enable the passenger to avail the unutilized portion of the duty free allowance when his baggage is delivered by the airlines. Finally, the passenger is required to submit all these documents with the concerned airlines for clearance and delivery of goods on his behalf. The examination of the mis-handled baggage, if required, would be carried out in the presence of the passenger.

21. What are the norms for Airlines/Vessel Crew members?

Ans. Crew members are required to submit the correct declaration before Custom authorities with respect to the currency, gold ornaments and electronic goods etc. in their possession on arrival as well as departure. Crew members are allowed to bring items like chocolates, cheese, cosmetics and other petty gift items for their personal or family use up to a value of Rs. 1,500 only at the returning of the aircraft from foreign journey. However, a crew member on final pay off or at the termination of his engagement with the airline/vessel shall be eligible for allowances as a common passenger.

22. Can a passenger import satellite phone?

Ans. Satellite phone is not permitted to be imported except against a license to be issued by the WPC wing of Department of Telecommunications. Please refer https://dot.gov.in/spectrum-management/2457 for further details.

23. Are LED/LCD/PLASMA Televisions exempt from Customs duty? What is the customs duty on Television (LCD/LED/PLASMA)?

Ans. No, LCD /LED/ Plasma Televisions are not entitled for baggage allowance and will suffer baggage rate of duty on full value as determined.

24. Can drones be imported as Baggage? What are the norms, if so?

Ans. There is no prohibition on import of drones as baggage. However, passengers possessing drones have to opt for Red Channel and should declare the same in the separate column in the Customs Declaration Form or file the same in advance by using ATITHI mobile app. The drones are allowed subject to the conditions that the importer should have licence issued by the WPC wing of Department of Telecommunications for importing the same mentioning proper name, model and specifications of the goods.

25. What are the norms for ATA Carnet/Triptique?

Ans. ATA Carnet is an international uniform Customs document issued in 75 countries including India, which are parties to the Customs Convention on ATA Carnet. The ATA Carnet permits duty free temporary admission of goods into a member country without the need to raise customs bond, payment of duty and fulfilment of other customs formalities in one or a number of foreign countries. In India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), is appointed as the National Guaranteeing & Issuing Association for ATA Carnets.

26. What are the norms for re-import of personal jewellery carried with the passenger?

Ans. All the passengers leaving India are subject to clearance by Custom Authorities. Only bonafide baggage is allowed to be cleared by passengers. There is a procedure prescribed whereby the passengers leaving India can take the Export Certificate for various high value items such as jewellery, from the Customs authorities. Such an Export Certificate facilitates re-importation of such goods while bringing back the things to India as no duty is charged. The advantage of having the Export Certificate is that the concessions you are entitled to, when you return are not affected.

27. Can I import my used car while transferring my residence to India from abroad?

Ans. The automobiles including cars are excluded under bonafide baggage. Hence, import of car is allowed on payment of Customs duties and certain import conditions. However, if an individual is coming to India for permanent settlement after continuous stay of two years abroad, some relaxations in the import conditions are provided if the car is in possession of the individual for a period of minimum one year abroad,. For more details, please refer to http://dgftcom.nic.in/licasp/itchs2012/87foot.pdf

Outgoing Passengers

1. What should you do when you leave India for abroad?

Ans. All the passengers leaving India are subject to clearance by Custom Authorities. Only bonafide baggage is allowed to be cleared by passengers. There is a procedure prescribed whereby the passengers leaving India can take the Export Certificate for various high value items such as camera, video camera, as well as jewellery, from the Customs authorities. Such an Export Certificate facilitates re-importation of such goods while bringing back the things to India as no duty is charged. The advantage of having the Export Certificate is that the concessions you are entitled to, when you return are not affected.

2. What is the amount of Currency allowed to be taken when going abroad/ leaving India?

Ans. The limits on taking out currency are as follows:

(i) Export of Indian Currency is strictly prohibited. However Indian residents when they go abroad are allowed to take with them Indian currency notes not exceeding Rs.25,000/-.

(ii) Tourists/NRIs while leaving India are allowed to take with them foreign currency not exceeding an amount brought in by them i.e. unspent foreign exchange left from the amount declared in Currency Declaration Form at the time of their arrival in India. Also, as no declaration is required to be made for bringing in foreign exchange / currency not exceeding equivalent of U.S. $5,000 in currency notes, or its equivalent or foreign exchange in form of currency notes, bank notes or travellers cheque not exceeding US$ 10,000 or its equivalent, generally tourists can take out of India with them at the time of their departure foreign exchange/ currency not exceeding the above amount.

(iii) Indian residents going abroad are permitted to take with them foreign currency without any limit so long as the same has been purchased/issued by RBI approved/authorized foreign exchange dealer as per norms.

(iv) Carrying of Indian currency notes in the denomination of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 to Nepal is prohibited.

3. Are costly items and electronic gadgets like camera/projector taken out of India dutiable when brought back?

Ans. For costly items which can be identifiable by Sl. No, Marks etc. the Customs Officer will issue an Export Certificate at the time of passengers' departure. While returning back, the passenger may show the Export Certificate to the Customs Officer who will examine the goods and allow the passage of the imported items without paying any duty. However, this arrangement doesn't hold for jewellery items, which has a separate procedure.

4. Are passengers allowed to take out flora and fauna with them?

Ans. Export of most species of wildlife and articles made from wild flora and fauna, such as ivory, musk, reptile skins, furs, shahtoosh etc. is prohibited.

Prohibited & Restricted Goods

Certain goods are prohibited (banned) or restricted (subject to certain conditions) for import and/or export. These are goods of social, health, environment, wildlife and security concerns. While it is not possible to list all the goods, more common of these are:

Prohibited Goods

- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances

- Pornographic material

- Counterfeit and pirated goods and good infringing any of the legally enforceable intellectual property rights

- Antiquities - Firearms

- Maps and literature where India’s external boundaries are shown incorrectly

- Wild life products - Counterfeit Indian Currency notes, stamps and coins

- Specified live birds and animals

- Fake currency notes

Restricted Goods

- Ammunition.

- Live birds and animals including pets.

- Plants and their produce e.g. fruits, seeds.

- Endangered species of plants and animals, whether live or dead.

- Any goods for commercial purpose: for profit, gain or commercial usage.

- Radio transmitters not approved for normal usage.

- Gold and Silver, other than ornaments (for import only)

- Indian and foreign currency in excess of prescribed limits.

- Satellite phones

- Drones

- Foreign currency in excess of amount legally obtained or in the case of tourists in excess of the amount declared on arrival or in excess of the exempted limit of declaration at the time of departure.

Penal Provisions

Please note that non-declaration, mis-declaration and concealment of imported goods are offences under the Customs Act, 1962 which may result in confiscation, fine, penalty and even prosecution.

The Customs Act, 1962 also empowers imposition of heavy penalties for those passengers who:

- Attempt to walk through the Green Channel with prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods

- Mis-declare their goods at the Red Channel - Attempt to export prohibited or restricted goods.

- Abet the commission of any of the above offences. The penal action may lead to:

- Absolute confiscation of goods or imposition of heavy fine in respect of the concerned goods if these are released

- Imposition of penalty on individuals or concerned entities

- Arrest and prosecution including invocation of preventive detention in serious cases.

Grievance Redressal

A passenger lodge his/her complaints or suggestions, if any, regarding Customs via:

(a) Feedback Forms at the Arrival hall.

(b) Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Portal https://pgportal.gov.in

(c) Facebook pages of various Airport Customs formations.

Important Contact Numbers

Sr. No.	Commissioner of Customs	Tel. No.	Email ID
1.	Commissioner of Customs, Ahmedabad	079-27544630	commr-cusamd@nic.in cus-ahmd-guj@nic.in
2.	Commissioner of Customs, Amritsar (Preventive)	0183-2506408	commr_cusasr@nic.in
3.	Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru	080-22864739	commr-citycusblr@nic.in
4.	Commissioner of Customs (Airport), Chennai	044-22560012	pcommrap1-cuschn@gov.in
5.	Commissioner of Customs (Port-Import), Chennai	044-25230371	commr2-cuschn@gov.in
6.	Commissioner of Customs, Cochin	0484-2668068	commr@cochincustoms.gov.in
7.	Commissioner of Customs (Import and General), Delhi	011-25655386 011-25653030	ccgen-delhi@gov.in
8.	Commissioner of Customs, Jodhpur, at Jaipur	0141-2385414	commrprev-cusjdhpr@nic.in
9.	Commissioner of Customs (Admn/Airport), Kolkata	033-22435372	commissioner@kolkatacustoms.gov.in
10.	Commissioner of Customs (Port), Kolkata	033-22436493	unmesh.wagh@nic.in
11.	Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Kolkata (for Bagdogra Airport)	033-22308658	commissioner@kolkatacustoms.gov.in
12.	Commissioner of Customs, Lucknow	0522-2329372	supdttech@commissionercustomslucknow.gov.in
13.	Commissioner of Customs, Mangaluru	0824-2408164	commr-cusmnglr@nic.in
14.	Commissioner of Customs (CSI Airport), Mumbai	022-26880917	commrap-cus1mum-3@nic.in
15.	Commissioner of Customs (Import), Mumbai	022-22625802	mk.kedia1968@gov.in
16.	Commissioner of Customs (Port-Import), Nhava Sheva	022-27242411	commissionergeneral.jnch@gmail.com
17.	Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Patna	0612-2504998	cuspatna@nic.in
18.	Commissioner of Customs, Pune	020-26051851	prakash.kb1407@gov.in
19.	Commissioner of Customs, Tiruchirapalli	0431-2410672	cusciutry@eth.net
20.	Commissioner of Customs, Tuticorin	0461-2352964	commr-custuticorin@nic.in
21.	Commissioner of Customs, Visakhapatnam	0891-2564552	prcomm1-cusvzg@gov.in
22.	Commissioner of Customs , Goa	0832-2520615	commr-cusgoa@nic.in