Duty-free import limit raised to Rs 75,000 from Rs 50,000: What new Baggage Rules mean for flyers

The government has raised the duty-free import limit for passengers arriving in India, increasing the allowance from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. The move, notified on Sunday under the Baggage Rules, 2026, is set to reshape what international travellers can bring back without paying customs duty.

Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, a resident or a tourist of Indian origin arriving in India, other than by land, shall be allowed clearance of articles free of duty up to Rs 75,000, if such articles are carried on the person or in the bona fide accompanied baggage of the passenger.

The new Baggage Rules, 2026, come into effect from midnight on February 2 and replace a decade-old baggage rule.

The revised rules also raise the duty-free limit for foreign tourists. A tourist of foreign origin, not being an infant, arriving in India, shall be allowed duty-free clearance of articles up to the value of Rs 25,000. This limit was Rs 15,000 under the Baggage Rules, 2016.

The notification also lays down specific provisions for jewellery for eligible returning residents and tourists of Indian origin. In the case of a resident or tourist of Indian origin residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, duty-free clearance of jewellery up to a weight of 40 grams shall be allowed if brought by a female passenger. The limit will be 20 grams if brought by anyone other than a female passenger in bona fide baggage.

Jewellery, for the purpose of this rule, means articles of adornment ordinarily worn by a person, made of gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals, whether studded or not.