Duty-free cap increased to ₹75,000 for international travellers:Higher allowance, jewellery assessed by weight, and faster airport clearance

The government has revised customs rules for passengers arriving in India from abroad, increasing the duty-free allowance for Indian citizens to ₹75,000. The changes, notified by the Finance Ministry, also simplify rules for carrying jewellery and electronic items and aim to speed up customs clearance at airports. The new regulations came into effect on February 2, 2026. Under the revised norms, passengers arriving by air or sea will be eligible for a higher duty-free limit, raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. However, no general duty-free exemption will be available for those entering the country by road. Revised duty-free allowance · Indian residents: Goods worth up to ₹75,000 · Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs): Up to ₹75,000 · Foreign citizens (non-tourist visa): Up to ₹75,000 · Foreign tourists: Limit increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 · Airline crew members: Limit unchanged at ₹2,500 Jewellery Rules Simplified The customs department has removed the value-based cap on jewellery and will now assess exemptions based solely on weight for passengers who have lived abroad for more than one year: · Female travellers: Up to 40 grams duty-free · Other travellers: Up to 20 grams duty-free Changes in essential items · Laptops: Passengers aged 18 and above may bring one laptop duty-free; customs duty will apply to a second laptop. · Pets: Pets have been included in the duty-free category, subject to compliance with animal import regulations. · Temporary Baggage Certificate: Customs will issue a Temporary Baggage Export/Import Certificate for valuable items carried temporarily, reducing issues during re-entry. Transfer of residence benefits enhanced For individuals relocating to India, duty-free benefits will now depend on the duration of stay abroad: · Up to 12 months: ₹1.50 lakh · 1–2 years: ₹3 lakh · More than 2 years: ₹7.50 lakh Digital declaration mandatory To reduce paperwork and improve transparency, passengers can now file electronic baggage declarations through the ICEGATE portal or the government app, streamlining red and green channel procedures at airports.