guide for Travelers
BAGGAGE RULES AT AIRPORT CUSTOMS
GREEN AND RED CHANNEL CLEARANCE
Every passenger entering India has to pass through a Customs check. The passenger has to declare the contents of his baggage in the prescribed Indian Customs Declaration Form.
For Customs clearance of arriving passengers, a two-channel system is adopted. At international airports the passenger has the option of seeking clearance through the Green Channel or through the Red Channel subject to the nature of goods being carried.
(i) Green Channel for passengers not having any dutiable or prohibited goods.
(ii) Red Channel for passengers having dutiable or prohibited goods.
However, Green channel passengers must deposit the Customs portion of the disembarkation card to the Customs official at the exit gate before leaving the terminal. Passengers are advised to report at the appropriate channel for Customs Clearance
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Can I bring an iPhone from USA to India? Is there a custom duty on iPhone in India?
Indian Custom Operations allow any phone to be carried from outside to India for personal use without any custom duty, if the phone is used, unsealed and with an active sim inserted. The phone must be carried in your pocket, or as a hand baggage.
An Indian citizen resident can bring new, sealed items (including electronics like the iPhone) below INR 50,000 without duty. For foreign visitors, this value is INR 15,000. Anything over this should be declared and can be dutiable. If not declared, you can also be penalized.
Can I carry 3 or more Phones to India?
Carrying one sealed box of iPhone might not be an issue but if you are carrying 3-4 devices, you will have to show the receipts of your purchases and might even have to pay a customs duty. So, it’s better that you avoid carrying more than two phones on your flight from USA to India.
Can I send iPhone from USA to India?
Yes an iPhone can be sent through post as well as through courier. Custom duty applicable to the value of the goods will be charged.
How much is custom duty on phone in India?
The government has imposed a 22% import duty on smartphones, inclusive of a 20% basic customs duty and a 2% social welfare surcharge since FY21. India has kept a high import duty structure since 2015 in order to promote local manufacturing of mobile phones.
what is the best way to avoid custom duty on iPhone from USA to India
Customs will not be applicable on a used mobile. In the event that someone (airline passenger) brings a smartphone (iPhone X) from US to India in a used condition i.e. Not in a sealed box rather as an item already put to use then the same should not attract additional Customs unless the officials suspect that it is being brought for Commercial Purposes (resale).
If it’s unboxed/unpacked or used and you’re carrying along with you and the purpose is not resale then technically, you don’t need to pay any duties. But If in case questions are asked you should be able to convince the concerned officer that this for personal use and not for resale.
What type of goods don`t have custom duty?
free allowance is applicable to the following goods for Indian Residents and foreigners residing in India:
(a) used personal effects and travel souvenirs;
(b) articles up to the value of Rs.50,000 carried on person or accompanied baggage.
What type of goods have custom duty?
The free allowance is not applicable to the following goods, hence custom duty is payable on these goods
Cigarettes exceeding 100 sticks or cigars exceeding 25 or tobacco exceeding 125gms.
Alcohol /liquor exceeding 2litres
The rate of duty applicable on these products above the above-mentioned free allowance is-
(i) Cigarettes BCD @100%+ educational cess @ 3%
(ii) Whisky BCD @150% + ACD @ 4% + education cess NIL.
(iii) Beer BCD @100% + ACD NIL + 3% education cess
Gold or silver, in any form, other than ornaments.
An Indian passenger who has been residing abroad for over one year is allowed to bring jewelry, free of duty in his Bonafide baggage up to an aggregate value of Rs. 50,000/- (in the case of a gentleman passenger) or Rs.1,00,000/- (in the case of a lady passenger)
LCD/LED/Plasma television of any screen size is not allowed under free allowance
laptop computer
One (notebook computer) over and above the said free allowances mentioned above is also
allowed duty free if imported by any passenger of the age of18 years and above.
what are dutiable goods in customs?
The goods over and above the free allowances shall be chargeable to customs duty @35% + Social Welfare Surcharge of 3.5%, i.e. the effective rate works out to be 38.5%.
Does every passenger coming to India need to fill a Customs Declaration Form?
No. Only passengers who are carrying dutiable or prohibited goods are required to fill a Customs Declaration Form or use ATITHI mobile app to file declaration of dutiable items as well as currency with Indian Customs even before boarding the flight to India.
Whether a passenger can import satellite phone or drone equipment?
Satellite phone& drone equipment is not permitted to be imported except against a license to be issued by the
WPC wing of Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
custom rules for OUT GOING PASSENGERS
Only Bonafede baggage is allowed to be cleared by passengers. There is a procedure prescribed whereby the passengers leaving India can take the export certificate for the various high value items such as camera, video camera, as well as jewelry from the Custom authorities. Such an export certificate facilitates re-importation of such goods while bringing back the things to India as no duty is charged.
PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS
Certain goods are prohibited (banned) or restricted (subject to certain conditions) for import and/or export. These are goods of social, health, environment, wildlife and security concerns.
list of the goods, that are prohibited
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances.
Pornographic material.
Counterfeit and pirated goods and good infringing any of the legally enforceable intellectual property rights.
Antiquities.
Firearms and ammunition.
Live birds and animals including pets.
Plants and their produce e.g. fruits, seeds.
Endangered species of plants and animals, whether live or dead.
Any goods for commercial purpose: for profit , gain or commercial usage.
Radio transmitters not approved for normal usage.
Gold and Silver, other than ornaments (For import only)
Other Prohibited items:
.
Flat Panel (LCD/LED/Plasma) Television
Color Television or Monochrome Television.
Digit al Video Disc Player.
Video Home Theatre System.
Dish Washer.
Music System.
Air Conditioner
Domestic refrigerators of capacity above 300 liters or its equivalent.
Deep Freezer
Microwave Oven.
Video camera or the combination of the following goods:
(a) Television Receiver.
(b) Sound recording or reproducing apparatus.
(c) Video reproducing apparatus.
Word Processing Machine.
Fax Machine.
Portable Photocopying Machine.
Cinematographic films of 35 mm and above.
Gold or Silver, in any form, other than ornaments.
Cassette Disk Player.
Washing Machine.
Electrical or Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cooking Range
Personal Computer( Desktop Computer)
Laptop Computer (Notebook Computer)
Domestic Refrigerators of capacity up to 300 liters or its equivalent.
PENAL PROVISIONS
The Customs Act, 1962 empowers imposition of heavy penalties for those passengers who
i)attempt to walk through the Green Channel with prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods. or
ii) Mis declare their goods at the Red Channel
iii) attempt to export prohibited or restricted goods.
iv) abet the commission of any of the above offences.
The penal provisions may lead to:
i) absolute confiscation of goods.
ii)imposition of heavy fine in respect of the concerned goods if these are released.
iii) imposition of penalty on individual or concerned entities.
iv) arrest and prosecution including invocation of preventive detention in serious cases.
Please note that non-declaration, misdeclaration and concealment of imported goods is an offence under the Customs Act which may result in confiscation, fine, penalty and even prosecution”.