Duty Free Allowances and Customs in India: All You Need to Know

Through this article, we will learn about the allowance limits at duty free offers, customs processes, offers which can help you keep your limits of purchase in check.

Updated On: July 14, 2024
8 min, Read

Duty Free Allowances and Customs in India: All You Need to Know

Picture this, you are travelling to Mumbai, India, happy at the prospect of homecoming or visiting the country, to head straight out of the airport. Also, you are excited to splurge some more at Mumbai duty free. But do you know your shopping comes with some limitations under the customs regulations of India? Therefore, being mindful of the duty free allowances and customs regulations under Indian law would go a long way to prevent any unwanted scrutiny.

Through this article, let’s brush up on our knowledge about the allowance limits at duty free, customs processes, duty free offers which can help you keep your limits of purchase in check.

What are Duty free allowances?

To put it in simple words, Duty free allowances refer to the quantity or approximate worth of all the goods that are brought into a country, without paying any additional customs tax or extra duty. These limits are decided by the law of the destination country and vary from country to country. The governing body for duty free allowances in India is the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) which sets these regulations.

India's Duty free allowances explained

There are several points that should be taken into account while understanding how the customs operate in India. These factors can be the passenger’s age, country of origin, and duration of stay abroad to name a few. If you are travelling with dutiable goods via any international airport in India, you are required to pass through the red channel to declare all such items.

Here is the comprehensive table that should be taken into account while travelling back to India.

Country of Origin	General Duty-Free Allowance	Alcoholic Beverages	Gold Jewellery	Cigarettes/Tobacco
Passengers returning from all foreign countries (Other than Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar)	Up to INR 50,000 worth of goods per adult passenger	Up to 2 litres of liquor or wine	Up to 20 grams (not exceeding INR 50,000) for male passengers and up to 40 grams (not exceeding INR 100,000) for female passengers.	Up to 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 125 grams of tobacco.
Passengers Returning from Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar	Up to INR 15,000 worth of goods per adult passenger	No allowances	No allowances	No allowances

How to make the most of Mumbai Duty Free

Mumbai Duty Free, located at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, is a shopper’s paradise offering a wide range of products at attractive prices. Here’s how you can make the most of your duty-free shopping experience:

Plan Ahead: Before your trip, research the products available at Mumbai Duty Free. Make a shopping list of items you intend to buy, ensuring they fall within your duty-free allowances.
Look for Duty-Free Offers: Mumbai Duty Free frequently runs promotions and special offers on popular items. Keep an eye out for discounts, bundle deals, and limited-time offers to maximize your savings.
Shop Smart: Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff at Mumbai Duty Free. They can provide recommendations, inform you about current offers, and help you find the best deals.
Online Pre-Ordering: For added convenience, consider using the online pre-order service via Adani One. Browse the catalogue, select your items, and place an order online. Your purchases will be ready for collection at the airport, saving time and ensuring availability.

Customs procedures in India

Let us now understand the customs processes of our country so that you can smoothly steer clear of any unwanted customs hassles. Here are some points to consider before you arrive at the airport from an international location.

Customs Declaration Form: Passengers need to fill out a detailed customs declaration form as soon as they land in India. This form is inclusive of all the details about the dutiable items in your baggage, including any duty-free purchases.
Green Channel and Red Channel: passengers can choose between the green channel and the red channel while passing through the customs checkpoint
- Green Channel is for those passengers who are travelling without any item which can be declared.
- Red Channel is for travellers who need to declare their items and are exceeding the duty-free allowances.
Customs Inspection: Be ready for random checks by authorities if you are opting for the green channel. However, passengers passing through the red channel will undergo a detailed inspection by customs officials.
Paying Duty: In case your goods are more than worth the duty-free allowances, you are required to pay customs duty in the form of the excess amount. The duty rate varies depending on the type of goods.

Tips for navigating customs smoothly

To ensure a hassle-free customs experience, keep these tips in mind:

Stay Informed: There is no need to be alarmed by customs checkpoints. You only need to educate yourself about the customs limit and duty free allowance well in advance. If you abide by the customs laws, you are good to travel without any stress.
Keep Receipts: Maintain receipts for all duty-free purchases, online or offline. You might be asked to declare or verify your shopping, where they come in handy.
Declare Accurately: Always be truthful while filling out the customs declaration form. Undeclared items can lead to penalties and delays.
Travel Light: If possible, travel with minimal baggage. This not only makes the customs process smoother but also reduces the risk of exceeding your duty-free allowances.

All the shopaholics can make the best of the duty free stores at international airports. These are usually located at a vantage point, inviting you to explore and flick the choicest products to take them with you. The items on display are free of any duty and are of the best quality. Plus the combo offers, luxury goods and cheap liquor make duty-free stores more desirable to splurge.

Duty-free shopping can become an exciting and rewarding part of your travel experience, especially when you know how to guide yourself out of the allowances and customs procedures effectively. Mumbai airport, presents a chance to indulge in duty-free treasures and make the best use of your travel.