Indiaभारत

Travellers arriving in India may bring 2 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Duty-free for Indian passengers returning: INR 50,000 (~$600 USD) in general goods for those resident abroad for 3+ days; one laptop; 2L liquor/wine/beer; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco. For passengers up to 10 years old, allowance is INR 15,000. Tourist allowance: INR 15,000 for goods other than gold or silver. Allowance for gold/silver jewelry up to specific limits.

100 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 5000 (INR) must be declared on arrival.

INR 0 (no effective de minimis). India effectively removed the de minimis threshold for e-commerce imports — all imports through e-commerce operators are subject to customs duty and IGST. Non-commercial gifts and samples under INR 5,000 may be exempt. Business sample imports may have duty exemption. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) applies to all imports.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaced multiple state-level VAT regimes in 2017. IGST on imports: 5/12/18/28% by HS classification + Basic Customs Duty (BCD) + Social Welfare Surcharge (10% of BCD). Luxury and sin goods at top 28% bracket plus GST Compensation Cess.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to India's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotic and psychotropic substances; Pornographic material; Counterfeit currency. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Wildlife and endangered species (Wildlife Protection Act permits); Firearms and ammunition (Arms Act licence required); Medicines and drugs (CDSCO licence required for commercial imports). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into India accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; India may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact India's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter India.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.