Customs

On arrival, expensive items, such as video cameras and radios, must be entered into your passport on a 'Tourist Baggage Re-Export' form. This will ensure that you can take these items with you when you leave the country. You must not import narcotics, plants, gold and silver bullion and coins not in current use. If you are transporting firearms, make sure you have a possession License. Indian embassies and consulates issue such licenses abroad, or by a district magistrate on arrival in India. It is strictly prohibited to take antiques, art objects, animal skins (or products made with animal skin), and ivory and rhino horns out of India.

Visitors are not allowed to bring Indian currency into India or take any of it out (except when going to Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka). There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques you can bring into the country, but amounts exceeding USD10,000.00 must be declared upon arrival. You may bring the following items into India without incurring customs duties:

• Alcoholic liquors or Wines upto 2 litres
• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco
• 250ml of eau de toilette

Be prepared to pay foreign travel tax on departure. This tax must be paid at a special desk at the airport before checking in your luggage. Foreign currency is accepted as payment.

Government of India offers various benefits to bonafide travelers and tourists, and their personal items can be imported duty free as part of baggage. The list of these items includes:

• Personal Jewellery
• One Camera, Binoculars
• One Laptop/notebook computer
• One electronic diary
• One portable typewriter
• One portable CTV (Colour Television)
• One music system including compact disc player
• One perambulator
• One tent and other camping equipment
• One portable receiving set (Transistor Radio)
• Sports equipment, such as fishing outfit, tennis racket, one golf set (14 pieces)

To avoid misuse of the above allowance, passengers are advised not to bring these items in its original package.