Effective February 2, 2026, the Government of India has updated its policy on how passengers can transport baggage internationally.
1. Duty-free exceptions will be significantly increased
Previously, passengers flying into India were allowed to carry ₹50,000 worth of goods without having to pay duty upon arrival (duty is a tax on imported goods). The new 2026 Baggage Rules allow a passenger arriving by air or sea to bring goods worth up to ₹75,000 duty-free, regardless of whether they (or their goods) were carried personally or in bona fide accompanying baggage. This limit will apply to all goods, including clothing, gifts, and electronics, but will also affect the value of jewellery when passing through customs.
2. How much jewellery can be brought into India duty-free?
Under the newly revised customs regulations for baggage entering India:
- Male or non-female passengers may bring jewellery worth up to 20 grams (not including any gold, silver, platinum or precious-metal articles) duty-free.
- Female passengers may bring newspapers and articles of jewellery worth a total of 40 grams (including any gold, silver, platinum or precious-metal articles) duty-free.
For purposes of this rule, jewellery includes articles commonly worn (i.e., rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.) that are made either entirely or partially from one or more of the above-mentioned precious metals—regardless of whether or not they are set with precious stones.
Important Note: The above exemptions apply to any Indian citizen or person of Indian origin coming back into India after living outside of India for at least one calendar year.
The jewellery allowance has no limit based on monetary valuation (like ₹50,000 for men; ₹1 lakh for women) — previously established an upper weight limit under laws governing duty-free imports (weight limits: 20g for men; 40g for women). Removal of this monetary limit means the same weight restrictions (2x20g/2x40g) potentially translates into significantly higher values of jewellery based upon the current value of gold (e.g., if a woman brings back only pure gold, it could have a value of several times more than her maximum weight-based jewellery allowance).
3. What Types of Jewellery Qualify and Do Not Qualify?
Examples of jewellery eligible for the duty-free jewellery portion of the jewelry allowance include: necklaces; bracelets; and/or rings; and/or earrings.
Examples of types of jewellery that do not qualify for the duty-free jewellery portion of the jewellery allowance include: gold bars, gold coins, etc.
4. Eligibility for Duty-free allowances
Eligibility for duty-free allowances requires:
- a) you must have lived outside of India for more than one year
- b) you must be of Indian descent who is returning to India for the Indian holiday season.
Foreign nationals are provided with different duty-free limits from India on other imports (e.g., ₹25,000), but that amount typically applies only to goods other than jewellery and each has its own specific eligibility requirements.
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5. What If You Bring More?
Travelers who bring jewellery to Australia must declare any items that exceed the weight limit (20 grams/40 grams), or do not qualify as personal adornment, at customs upon arrival using the Red Channel.
Paying customs duty on the excess value will also be required. The Customs Act provides for the seizure of goods and for penalties for noncompliance.
6. Context: Why Does It Matters?
India is one of the largest consumers of gold, and therefore cleaning up customs laws for jewelry purchased in countries like Dubai, or other Gulf states, has been of interest to travellers for many years. The removal of existing baggage limits and total value allowance by the Government is intended to assist with ease of travel and reduce congestion at point of entry.
