Flying Back to India? New Baggage Rules 2026 Could Save You Thousands

If you are planning to travel abroad or return to India from another country, there is important news for you. The Government of India has officially introduced new Customs Baggage Rules, 2026, bringing major relief to Indian residents as well as foreign tourists.

These new rules came into effect on 2 February 2026 and replace the older baggage regulations. The changes mainly focus on increasing duty-free limits and clarifying how much mobile phones, gold, jewellery, and other personal items travellers can bring into India without paying customs duty.

Let’s understand everything step by step.



What Are the Customs Baggage Rules?

Customs Baggage Rules decide:

  • How much value of goods you can bring from abroad

  • Which items are duty-free

  • How much gold or jewellery is allowed

  • What electronic items you can carry

  • When customs duty becomes applicable

These rules apply to Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and foreign tourists arriving in India by air or sea.

The government has now updated these rules to match today’s travel needs and rising prices of goods.

Higher Duty-Free Allowance for Indian Travellers

The biggest change is the increase in duty-free allowance.

Earlier, Indian residents and most foreign nationals (except tourists) were allowed to bring goods worth ₹50,000 without paying customs duty.

✅ New Limit (from 2 February 2026):

Now, travellers can bring duty-free goods worth up to ₹75,000.

This means you can carry personal items like:

  • Clothes

  • Shoes

  • Small electronics

  • Gifts

  • Watches

as long as their total value does not exceed ₹75,000.

This benefit applies whether you arrive by air or sea.

However, remember:

  • Goods must be for personal use only

  • Commercial items are not allowed under this limit

  • One passenger’s allowance cannot be combined with another passenger’s limit

Separate Limit for Foreign Tourists

Foreign tourists visiting India also get relief under the new rules.

Earlier, tourists could bring duty-free goods worth only ₹15,000.

✅ New Limit for Foreign Tourists:

Now, foreign tourists arriving by air or sea can bring up to ₹25,000 worth of duty-free goods.

The condition is simple:
The items must be carried in their personal baggage and should be for personal use during their stay in India.

New Jewellery and Gold Import Rules

Gold and jewellery are among the most commonly carried items by travellers. The government has clarified these rules clearly under Baggage Rules 2026.

These benefits apply to:

  • Indian residents

  • Persons of Indian origin

  • Travellers who have stayed abroad for more than one year

✅ Jewellery Allowance (Duty-Free):

  • Female passengers: Up to 40 grams of gold jewellery

  • Other passengers (male travellers): Up to 20 grams

Important points:

  • Jewellery must be for personal use, not for resale

  • No customs duty is charged within this limit

  • The traveller must have stayed abroad for at least one year

If the jewellery exceeds this limit, customs duty will apply on the extra amount.

This change especially helps families returning from overseas and women travellers who traditionally carry jewellery.

Mobile Phones and Electronics: What’s Allowed?

Many travellers bring mobile phones and gadgets from abroad. The new rules give clarity on this too.

✅ Mobile Phones

Under the new baggage rules:

  • You can bring a mobile phone for personal use

  • It must fit within your overall duty-free allowance of ₹75,000

  • It cannot be meant for sale or business

So yes — you can bring a phone from abroad, but only for personal use and within the allowed value limit.

✅ Laptop or Notebook

Good news for students and professionals:

Any traveller aged 18 years or above (not a crew member) is allowed to bring one laptop or notebook computer completely duty-free, separate from the ₹75,000 limit.

This means:

  • Your laptop does not reduce your duty-free allowance

  • You don’t have to pay customs duty on one personal laptop

This is a big relief for people travelling for education or work.

Important Rules You Must Remember

Here are some key points every traveller should know:

🔹 Personal Allowance Is Individual

Each passenger gets their own duty-free limit. You cannot combine allowances of family members.

🔹 Items Must Be for Personal Use

Anything meant for selling is not allowed under baggage rules.

🔹 Currency Rules Stay the Same

Import and export of cash will continue to follow Foreign Exchange Management Regulations, 2015.

🔹 Applies to Indians and Foreigners

These rules apply not only to Indian citizens but also to foreign nationals (except tourist limits, which are lower).

Why Did the Government Change These Rules?

The government introduced Baggage Rules 2026 to:

  • Adjust limits according to inflation

  • Make international travel easier

  • Reduce confusion at airports

  • Support returning Indians and tourists

  • Encourage tourism

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued official notifications confirming these updates.

Final Words

India’s new Customs Baggage Rules 2026 bring welcome relief for international travellers. With higher duty-free limits, clearer gold and jewellery rules, and permission to carry personal electronics like mobile phones and laptops, travelling back to India has become simpler and more traveller-friendly.

If you are planning an international trip or returning home soon, make sure you understand these updated limits. Following the rules will help you avoid unnecessary customs duty and delays at the airport.

In short:

  • ₹75,000 duty-free goods for Indian residents

  • ₹25,000 duty-free goods for foreign tourists

  • 40g jewellery for women, 20g for others (after 1 year abroad)

  • One laptop fully duty-free

  • Mobile phone allowed for personal use

Staying informed means smoother travel — and more peace of mind at customs.

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