India has rolled out new baggage rules, replacing decades-old regulations, with a major boost to duty-free allowances for arriving passengers. The updated rules came into effect from midnight on February 2, 2026.
Under the revised policy, the duty-free baggage allowance for passengers bringing imported goods into India has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
Who benefits?
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Residents of Indian origin and tourists arriving by air or sea can now bring goods worth up to ₹75,000 duty-free.
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For foreign tourists, the duty-free limit has been raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.
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These benefits do not apply to arrivals by land routes.
Jewellery allowance clarified
The new rules also clearly define duty-free jewellery limits for returning residents and tourists of Indian origin who have lived abroad for more than one year:
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Female passengers: up to 40 grams of jewellery duty-free
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Other passengers: up to 20 grams duty-free
The term jewellery includes items made of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals, whether plated or not, that are normally worn by a person.
What this means
The revised baggage rules are expected to ease travel for NRIs, returning residents, and overseas visitors, reduce disputes at airports, and reflect changes in travel patterns and purchasing power. For frequent international travellers, especially the Indian diaspora, the higher limits offer meaningful relief at arrival.