Import to India

There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currency. If the imported amount exceeds up to $5,000 in cash or up to $10,000 in total (including traveler’s checks and securities), it must be declared.

Indian customs divides the flow of tourists arriving in the country into 2 corridors – red and green. Those who do not carry goods subject to customs duties enter India along the green corridor, for the rest there is a red corridor.

One person can import the following goods into India without duty:

2 liters of wine or other alcoholic beverages
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 gr of tobacco of your choice
59 ml perfume
Permitted goods for personal use – no more than 1 item (household appliances, laptop, pram, tool kit, etc.)
Personal jewelry

Customs regulations in India regarding attempts to smuggle goods subject to declaration are very strict. The violator may part with property, pay a large fine, or even face criminal prosecution.

Mandatory declaration when entering India are subject to:

weapons and ammunition
birds and animals
plants, including fruits and seeds
gold and silver items
radio transmitters
jewelry made of gold and silver (except personal)
goods imported for commercial purposes and gifts
India has extremely high customs duties on consumer goods imported from abroad, especially household appliances. Gifts and other non-personal goods can be brought into India without duty only in the amount of $10.

Everything else is subject to a duty of 60% of the value of the goods, which Indian customs officers, in the absence of a check, determine “by eye” (of course, not in your favor). A semi-mythical fine for the transport of “non-certified” goods is often added to the amount of the duty.

Due to the threat of heavy duties and fines at Indian customs, it is better to bring into India only those personal items that will be really necessary for the trip. If, nevertheless, there are a lot of such items, it is better to declare their list (with the obligation to take it with you from India) when entering the country and keep it until the end of the trip.

Indian customs prohibits the import into the country of:

drugs and illegal drugs (punishment – up to 30 years in prison)
antiques of historical value (over 100 years old)
weapons and ammunition (нужно специальное разрешение)
gold and silver bars
products of their skin of rare animals, plumage of birds
live plants and animals (special permission required)
counterfeit money and any fakes
Indian currency
pornography
Export from India

Also, Indian customs prohibits the export of:

Indian currency
skins of rare animals, reptiles and plumage of birds
antique items (over 100 years old)
drugs and narcotic substances
pornography
fakes of all kinds (CDs, branded clothes, etc.)
VAT refund (Tax Free) in India is not practiced, since instead of direct tax (VAT), most merchants in this country pay indirect.