🧳 India Customs & Duty-Free — What You Can Bring
What Indian customs lets you bring in — gold, electronics, gifts and cash — and what you must declare. Rules change, so confirm on the official CBIC site before you fly.
🪙 Gold & jewellery
Personal jewellery is generally allowed within limits. Commonly-cited duty-free allowances are up to ~40g for women and ~20g for men (subject to value caps) — amounts above that attract customs duty and should be declared.
Carry receipts for valuable jewellery you’re taking to and from India so it isn’t treated as an import on return.
🎁 Gifts, electronics & the duty-free allowance
Returning residents and tourists have a duty-free allowance for personal goods and gifts (commonly cited around ₹50,000 for adult residents) — a laptop is usually allowed in addition, but a second one or high-value electronics may be dutiable.
Use the green channel only if you’re within your allowance; use the red channel to declare dutiable or restricted items.
💵 Cash & currency declaration
You can carry a reasonable amount of foreign currency, but amounts over the declaration thresholds (commonly cited as more than US$5,000 in cash, or US$10,000 in cash + instruments combined) must be declared on a Currency Declaration Form.
Indian rupees can be brought in/out only up to the permitted resident limit — check the current figure before you travel.
❓ Frequently Asked
How much gold can I bring into India duty-free?
As a general guide, up to about 40g for women and 20g for men (within value caps) is allowed duty-free; more than that is dutiable and should be declared. Confirm the current limit on the CBIC site before you fly.
What’s the duty-free allowance for gifts and goods?
Adult residents typically have an allowance around ₹50,000 for personal goods and gifts, with a laptop usually allowed in addition. High-value or second electronics may be dutiable — use the red channel to declare.
Do I have to declare cash entering India?
Carry foreign cash over the thresholds (commonly more than US$5,000 cash, or US$10,000 including instruments) must be declared on arrival. Check the current figures on CBIC.
Is there through-baggage on US–India flights?
Usually no — on most connecting itineraries you collect your checked bags at your first Indian airport, clear customs, and re-check them for any onward domestic flight.
🔗 More travel guides
India Visa & OCI
Send Money to India
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This is a general guide — rules, fees and allowances change, so always confirm on the official sites linked before you travel. Verified Jul 2026.