You can now bring this much gold from abroad to India; the rules have changed.

Until now, passengers returning from abroad had to pay customs duty based on the value of their jewelry. Passengers often faced disputes at the airport regarding the value and limits of their jewelry.

If you travel abroad for tourism or work and want to bring gold, jewelry, or other items back to India, there's great news for you. The Indian government has recently made significant changes to the duty-free limits and regulations for jewelry for passengers returning from abroad under the Baggage Rules 2026. These changes came into effect on February 2, 2026, and aim to make the rules simpler, more transparent, and dispute-free for passengers.

Previously, passengers returning from abroad had to pay customs duty based on the value of their jewelry. Passengers often faced disputes at the airport regarding the value and limits of their jewelry. Sometimes, passengers had to prove that the items were for personal use and not for sale. However, under the new policy, the duty-free limit for gold and silver jewelry is now weight-based; the value will no longer matter.

What has changed in the rules for gold jewelry?

According to the new rules, female passengers can now bring a maximum of 40 grams of jewelry duty-free. Male passengers and others can bring a maximum of 20 grams of jewelry duty-free. The jewelry must be for personal use only. If it is considered to be for sale, customs duty will be levied. If someone brings gold bars, gold coins, or silver bars in addition to jewelry, these will not be included in the duty-free exemption. Separate rules will apply to such items. This change will provide significant relief to NRIs and passengers of Indian origin who have been living abroad for a long time. Now, there will be no hassle regarding the value of the jewelry at the airport; duty will be levied based on weight only.

Duty-free limits for other goods have also increased.

The government has increased the duty-free limits not only for jewelry but also for other goods. Indian citizens and foreign residents of Indian origin can now bring in goods worth up to ₹75,000 duty-free. Previously, this limit was only ₹50,000. Foreign tourists can now bring in goods worth up to ₹25,000 without paying duty. This exemption includes small gifts, personal use items, and shopping items. However, it's important to note that this limit cannot be shared among passengers.

Special Exemptions for NRIs and Long-Term Overseas Residents

If you have been living abroad for more than a year, your duty-free allowance has now been increased. Individuals residing abroad for up to one year can bring in goods worth up to ₹1.5 lakh, those residing abroad for one to two years can bring in goods worth up to ₹3 lakh, and those residing abroad for more than two years can bring in goods worth up to ₹7.5 lakh. This will significantly benefit travelers returning from abroad after a long period, especially those bringing in expensive jewelry or electronic goods.

Relief on Laptops and Electronic Devices

The new regulations also offer relief for technology users. Passengers aged 18 years or older can now bring in one new laptop or notebook duty-free. This laptop must be for personal use only. The rules for bringing currency into or taking currency out of India will remain the same as per the existing Foreign Exchange Management Regulations, 2015. Duty-free goods must be for personal use only, and exceeding the prescribed limit will attract customs duty and penalties.