Gold & Alcohol Limits
How much gold can you bring to India ?
How much Alcohol can you carry Duty Free to India ?
Can I carry alcohol in domestic flight in India?
India Custom Duty on Alcoholic Beverages
Duty-Free Alcohol: Connecting Flights in India
What is not allowed in hand baggage in India?
What Can I Bring to India with Duty-Free Allowance
Can we bring sealed Phones to India?
Traveling to India with Laptops
How many phones can I carry to India without customs?
What is not allowed to bring in India?
What should be declared at Indian customs?
How much currency can you carry to India?
Baby Food on Indian Flights
Are snacks allowed on planes in India?
Is cricket bat allowed in Indian flight?
Can You Bring Soccer Balls Onboard
Importing Pets to India
What is baggage rule in India?
Airport Security in India: Items You Should Remove
Where do you put your money when flying?
Where should I pack my jewelry when flying?
Unpacking the Prohibited: A Guide to Banned Items
Do you need any vaccinations to travel to India?
Planning Your Trip to India: A Detailed To-Do List
India Customs Rules for Transferring Residency to India
International Airports of India
The Ultimate Air Travel Guide for Seniors
Travel Insurance For USA From India: Best Medical Insurance
February 6, 2008
Site Map : Indian Government Customs & Baggage Law
Temporary Banned Items by Indian Customs
From time to time India Customs ban certain item for security reasons
Navigating through customs regulations can be a complex task, especially when it comes to understanding the nuances of temporary bans on certain items. In recent times, India, like many countries, has adapted its customs policies to address various concerns ranging from health and safety to environmental and security issues. These adaptations often result in the temporary prohibition of specific items to safeguard the interests of its citizens and the environment. This article sheds light on the nature of these temporary bans, providing insights into why certain items might be restricted and the impact of these regulations on travelers and importers alike.
Understanding Temporary Bans
Temporary bans by Indian Customs are typically enacted in response to immediate concerns or to comply with international agreements. These bans can affect a wide range of items - from agricultural products to high-tech gadgets, depending on the issue at hand. The reasons behind temporary bans often include public health emergencies, environmental threats, security concerns, and the need to protect local industries.
Common Categories of Temporarily Banned Items
1. Agricultural Products
To prevent the spread of diseases and pests that can affect local crops and biodiversity, Indian Customs occasionally imposes temporary bans on the import of certain plants, seeds, and agricultural products.
2. Electronics and Gadgets
Certain electronics or gadgets might be temporarily banned if they pose security risks or if they're found to be non-compliant with India's regulatory standards for electronic items.
3. Chemicals and Substances
Chemicals that pose health, safety, or environmental risks can be subject to temporary restrictions until thorough assessments are conducted to evaluate their impact.
4. Medications and Health Supplements
Temporary bans on specific medications or health supplements might be enforced if concerns arise regarding their safety, efficacy, or potential for misuse.
The Impact of Temporary Bans
For travelers and importers, staying informed about temporary bans is crucial to avoid delays, confiscations, or legal issues when entering India. These bans can significantly impact:
Travelers who might carry items that are temporarily banned without realizing it, leading to potential inconveniences at customs checkpoints.
Businesses and Importers who deal in goods that are suddenly subject to a temporary ban, affecting supply chains and necessitating quick adaptation to comply with the new regulations.
Staying Informed
The dynamic nature of temporary bans means that what might be allowed today could be restricted tomorrow. To stay ahead:
- Regularly check updates from the Indian Customs Department through their official website or notifications.
- Consult with customs brokers or legal advisors who specialize in customs and import laws to ensure compliance with current regulations.
- Utilize apps or online platforms dedicated to providing real-time updates on customs regulations worldwide.
Temporary bans by Indian Customs serve as a protective measure, ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the environment. While these bans can sometimes cause inconvenience, they are necessary for addressing immediate and emergent concerns. Being proactive, staying informed, and seeking professional advice are key strategies to navigate the complexities of customs regulations successfully. As global circumstances evolve, so do customs policies, reflecting the ongoing commitment of nations like India to safeguard their borders and their people.
Is it a good idea to take Game Console to India ??
xBox, PS3 or WiiAfter paying indian customs ... it will turn out cheaper in India
Some consoles are region specific & doesn’t come with international warranty & moreover the games which are available in India will not work with some console because of the regional differences
Most US / European consoles work on 110 volts and if you accidently plug it into 220/240 ............ and its really costly to sent it all the way to US/ Europe for repair ...... it would too long be a period and you might end up paying whole lot.
Buy Step Down Converter
220 to 110 volts voltage converter, voltage transformer, international converter, voltage transformer
If you ship it using a Carrier
Using a carrier like DHL/Fedex/UPS will get your items through customs without any hassle, only that you'll have to pay duty.
January 16, 2008
India Custom's Tariff
Baggage Definition The term "Baggage" is defined as "Baggage that includes unaccompanied baggage but does not include motor vehicles". A passenger (tourist) is required to comply with certain provisions of the Indian Customs Law. The owner of any baggage shall, for the purpose of clearing it make a declaration of its contents to the customs officer (no written declaration is needed and oral declaration is usually acceptable).The rate of duty and tariff valuation, if any, applicable to the baggage shall be the rate and valuation in force on the date, on which a declaration is made in respect of such baggage. In respect of the goods personally brought in by the passengers it means approximately the retail price of the goods paid abroad (always carry the original invoice/bill to settle the disputes).
- India Custom Duty on Alcoholic Beverages
The approximate rates of duty for these items: - Taking LCD TV to India : Indian Custom Duty on LCD TV
- Who is not normally a resident in India.
- Who enters India for a stay of not more than six months in the course of any twelve months period for legitimate non-immigrant purposes, such as - touring, recreation, sports, health, family reasons, study, religious pilgrimage or business.
The prerequisites for treating any articles or goods as baggage is that they were in use of the passenger or were brought and paid for by the passenger.
Personal and household effects are treated as baggage and can be imported freely without any restriction as to the value of the goods. However they should be imported in reasonable quantities. Goods in commercial quantities may be allowed to be imported as baggage based on the merits of the case.
India is making a concerted effort to make the airport experience a better one than historically; this includes attempting to make immigration/emigration and customs procedures simpler and more friendly.
Check Thokalath.com's India Airport Customs Duty, Tariff & Tax for more Information
Customs Website
Registering a complaint : vigilance
"Indian Customs Officers are masters in intepreting rules, regulations, circulars, notices etc according to their wills & fancies to harass individuals"
The Directorate General of Vigilance is an attached office of the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) in the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India. It is headed by the Director General of Vigilance who is also the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Central Board of Excise & Customs.
If you have ever paid a Bribe >> Please Post it at I Paid a Bribe
For dealing with complaints against corrupt practices by officers, the customs department has a separate vigilance organisation headed by the Directorate General of Vigilance. Any complaints of corruption against the officer can be logged with the D.G. Vigilance at New Delhi or the Zonal units of the Directorate of Vigilance.
In real life things are little different, 99% of the airport custom agents are corrupt Bribe Rates for Delhi Customs & Excise
Mumbai customs is notorious for having people asking for bribes or to help you "cut through the line"
The problem of people trying to bypass customs and customs officials harassing people arises because the people are not aware about the rules. The Indian customs officials use that to their advantage.
Grievances can primarily be divided into three categories:
- Complaints of corrupt practices against officers
- Delay in decision making by officers.
- Grievances against merits of the decision taken by officers.
How can you file a complaint?
Here is a link to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
- Please send a Email to the PM of India [ Best Way to get your Voices Heard ]
Insider Sources say that Letters to PMO are making the biggest impact You wil not get a Response from PMO but is making a very big difference ...
- Lodge Complaint at CVC
- Frequently asked Questions (FAQ) on lodging Complaints at CVC.
As long as you are complying with the provisions of the law there is nothing to fear. In the event of any harassment by any officer, you may immediately contact the senior most officers on duty, usually the Deputy Commissioner of Customs. In case of demands for illegal gratification/graft, there are explicit directions/Notices at every airport on whom to contact???
About Indian Custom Officer
Abrasive, arrogant, bloated, callous, cold, complex, corrupt, discourteous, heartless, inefficient, insensitive, lethargic, mindless, negative, obstructive, opaque, oppressive, ponderous, rude, wasteful, wooden
Prohibited and Restricted Goods
India Customs Prohibited Items
The term “Prohibited Goods” has been defined in sub-section 33 of Section 2 of the Customs Act as meaning “any goods the import or export of which is subject to any prohibition under the Customs Act or any other law for the time being in force”
Travelling to India with Drone
Taking LCD TV to India : Indian Custom Duty on LCD TV
Toy Helicopters Ban
Recently 6,000 toy helicopters confiscated from passengers over the last two years.
Certain goods are prohibited (banned) or restricted (subject to certain conditions) for import and/or export. These are goods of social, health, environment, wild life and security concerns. Some of them are listed below:
Prohibited Goods
- Satellite Phone
- Antiquities
- Wild life products
- Human skeleton
- Specified sea-shells
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
- Pornographic and obscene material
- Counterfeit and pirated goods and goods infringing any of the legally enforceable intellectual property rights
- Aero models (such as remote controlled toy helicopters) that operate on high radio bandwidths because of their
- possible interference with the communication networks of security agencies.
- Indian coins which are covered by the Antique and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
- Maps and literature where Indian external boundaries have been shown incorrectly, in view of Government of India.
- Chemicals mentioned in Schedule 1 to the Chemical Weapons Convention of U.N. 1993.
- Beef, tallow, fat/oil of animal origin
- Exotic birds except a few specified ones
- Wild animals, their parts and products
- Specified Live birds and animals
Restricted Goods
- Drones
- Medicines and drugs
- 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)
- Currency in excess of prescribed limits
- Telephone and telephony equipments of restricted frequencies
- Certain Animals - Camel, Horses, Cattle
- Semi processed hides and skins
- Silk worms, silk worm seeds and cocoons
- Family Planning Devices (NOC from Ministry of Health Required)
- Vintage products, replicas of antiques or weapons
- Sand and soil
- Whole human blood plasma and certain products derived from human blood
- Sandal-wood (except handicraft products & oil)
Import and export of some specified goods may be restricted/ prohibited under other laws such as Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, Foreign Trade Policy Environment Protection Act, Wild Life Act, Indian Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, Arms Act, etc. Prohibition under those acts will also apply to the penal provisions of the Customs Act, rendering such goods liable to confiscation under section 111(d) of the Customs Act (for import) and 113 (d) of the Customs Act (for export).
Export of most species of wild life and articles made from flora and fauna such as Ivory, Musk, Reptile skins, Furs, Shahtoosh etc. is prohibited. For any clarifications passenger should approach the Regional Deputy Director (Wildlife Preservation) Govt. of India or the Chief Wildlife Wardens of State Governments posted at Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Prohibition on Export of Indian coins :-
No person shall take or send out of India the Indian coins which are covered by the Antique and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
Prohibition on export and import of foreign currency :-
Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, no person shall, without the general or special permission of the Reserve Bank, export or send out of India, or import or bring into India, any foreign currency.
Whenever planning to bring or take any unusual item please enquire about its permissibility for export or import before undertaking the journey. It’s a smart move to do so from both ports, exit and destination so that to ensure that you are inconformity with laws of both countries.
Export and import of currency to or from Nepal and Bhutan :-
Notwithstanding anything contained in these regulations, a person may –
- take or send out of India to Nepal or Bhutan, currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes (other than notes of denominations of above Rs.100 in either case) ;
- bring into India from Nepal or Bhutan, currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes (other than notes of denominations of above Rs.100 in either case) ;
- take out of India to Nepal or Bhutan, or bring into India from Nepal or Bhutan, currency notes being the currency of Nepal or Bhutan.
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