India has officially notified the Baggage Rules, 2026, along with the Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026, marking one of the biggest updates to passenger customs rules in years.
The new framework, announced by the Ministry of Finance and published by PIB on February 2, 2026, aims to simplify customs procedures, raise duty-free limits, and introduce faster, more transparent baggage clearance for international travellers.
Higher Duty-Free Allowance Under New Rules
One of the most traveller-friendly changes is the increase in general duty-free allowance, reflecting today’s travel patterns, higher costs, and rising passenger volumes.
Duty-Free Allowance: New vs Old Rules
| Passenger Category | Old Limit (Before Feb 2, 2026) | New Limit (From Feb 2, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian residents | ₹50,000 | ₹75,000 |
| Tourists of Indian origin | ₹50,000 | ₹75,000 |
| Foreign nationals (non-tourist visa) | ₹50,000 | ₹75,000 |
| Foreign tourists | ₹15,000 | ₹25,000 |
| Crew members | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
Passengers arriving by land borders remain ineligible for any general duty-free allowance, unchanged from earlier rules.
Transfer of Residence Benefits Simplified
The new Baggage Rules also modernise Transfer of Residence (TR) benefits for returning residents by introducing a simplified structure and a single, rationalised list of duty-free items.
Revised TR benefit limits:
- Stay abroad up to 12 months: ₹1.5 lakh
- Stay abroad 1–2 years: ₹3 lakh
- Stay abroad for over 2 years: ₹7.5 lakh
This replaces multiple overlapping lists and value caps, making eligibility clearer and processing faster.
Jewellery Rules Shift to Weight-Based Allowance
Another key change affects jewellery imports. The government has removed outdated value-based caps and moved to a purely weight-based system for eligible travellers returning after more than one year abroad.
New jewellery allowance:
- Women travellers: up to 40 grams
- Other travellers: up to 20 grams
This aligns rules with current gold prices and reduces disputes at customs counters.
Laptop and Pet Imports Now Formally Recognised
The Baggage Rules 2026 formally incorporate long-standing concessions into the rulebook:
- One laptop can be imported duty-free by passengers above 18 years
- Pets are explicitly covered under the rules, providing legal clarity for international pet travel
Temporary Import and Re-Import Made Easier
Travellers temporarily bringing goods into India or taking items abroad can now obtain temporary import or export certificates, reducing detention risks and easing re-entry procedures.
This is especially relevant for professionals, artists, and frequent flyers carrying high-value equipment.
Digital Declarations and Faster Clearance
A major structural upgrade comes through the new Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026, which:
- Enable electronic and advanced baggage declarations
- Consolidate and replace 35 earlier circulars
- Standardise procedures across airports and customs formations
The aim is smoother clearance, reduced manual checks, and better transparency for passengers.
What This Means for Travellers
Put simply, the Baggage Rules 2026 make international travel into India less stressful and more predictable. Higher duty-free limits, clearer jewellery rules, digital declarations, and faster processing reflect an effort to modernise India’s customs system in line with global standards.
With these changes, the government is positioning India as a more traveller-friendly and globally connected destination, while keeping customs enforcement consistent and transparent.
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