Indian Customs Forms 2026: Declaration, Duty-Free Allowance & Compliance Guide

Indian Customs Declaration Form / Customs compliance for International Travellers

Planning your arrival in India? Understanding Indian customs forms and compliance rules can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress at the airport. This guide walks you through everything—from declaration forms and duty-free limits to key compliance rules—so you can travel confidently and stay fully compliant.

The Atithi app is an official mobile tool created by India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for international travelers. It enables passengers to submit digital declarations for baggage, valuables, and currency before arrival, helping reduce airport wait times and making customs clearance faster and more efficient.

Table of Contents

• Indian Customs Declaration Form
• Duty-Free Allowances
• Essential Customs Forms
• Key Compliance Rules
• Commercial Import Compliance
• FAQs

Rules Overview

Never Do	Use Instead
Carry undeclared currency above limits	Declare amounts exceeding USD 5,000 or USD 10,000 total
Use Green Channel with dutiable goods	Always choose Red Channel for declarations
Ignore restricted/prohibited items	Check regulations before travel

Indian Customs Declaration Form

The Indian Customs Declaration Form is required for travelers carrying dutiable, restricted, or prohibited goods.

How to Fill the Form

1. Enter personal and passport details
2. Declare goods like electronics, gold, or high-value gifts
3. Declare currency exceeding USD 5,000 or total USD 10,000
4. Submit at customs upon arrival

Tip: Use the Atithi App to submit your declaration digitally before arrival for faster clearance.

Duty-Free Allowances (2026)

Check full details here: India Duty-Free Allowance 2026

Category	Allowance
Indian Residents	₹50,000
Foreign Tourists	₹25,000
Alcohol	2 Liters
Tobacco	100 Cigarettes or 25 Cigars

Used personal items such as clothing and toiletries are fully exempt from customs duty.

Essential Indian Customs Forms

1. Customs Declaration Form

Mandatory for declaring goods and currency.

2. Red vs Green Channel

Green Channel: No dutiable goods

Red Channel: Required if carrying taxable or restricted items

3. Atithi App

Digital platform for submitting declarations in advance.

4. KYC Form

Required for cargo clearance and identity verification.

Key Compliance Rules for Travelers

Failure to declare dutiable goods can result in penalties, confiscation, or legal action.

• Declare currency above USD 5,000 (cash) or USD 10,000 total
• Avoid prohibited items like narcotics and wildlife products
• Pets require NOC, microchip, and vaccination records
• Report mishandled baggage immediately

Commercial Import Compliance

Required Documentation

• Manufacturer Invoice
• Letter of Credit
• Insurance Documents
• Import License

Classification System

Goods must be classified under ITC (HS) using 8-digit codes.

Customs clearance is processed through the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system for efficiency.

Additional Resources

Customs Guide for Travellers
CBIC Official Website
Bureau of Immigration India

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a customs declaration form in India?

Yes, if you are carrying dutiable, restricted, or prohibited goods.

Can I fill out the customs form online?

Yes, you can use the Atithi App to submit declarations before arrival.

What happens if I don't declare goods?

You may face penalties, confiscation, or legal consequences.

Do I need CN22 or CN23 forms?

No, these are for postal shipments, not passenger baggage.

What documents are needed for customs clearance?

Passport, declaration form, invoices (if applicable), and supporting documents.

What are common mistakes on customs forms?

Incorrect values, missing items, and failure to declare currency.

What is the duty-free allowance in India?

₹50,000 for residents and ₹25,000 for foreign tourists.

Is Air Suvidha required?

No, the Air Suvidha form is no longer required for international arrivals to India. Air Suvidha.

Is Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form Required for India Travel?

Is Air Suvidha form mandatory?

Traveling to India is an exciting adventure, but navigating entry requirements can feel daunting. I remember my first trip to Delhi in 2022, anxiously checking if I needed to fill out the Air Suvidha form while juggling my passport and boarding pass at the airport. To ease your travel planning, this guide clarifies whether the Air Suvidha self-declaration form is still required, outlines other entry forms, and provides tips for a smooth arrival.

Table of Contents

• What is the Air Suvidha Form?
• Is the Air Suvidha Form Still Required?
• Other Forms for India Entry
• Tips for Travelers
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Air Suvidha Form?

The Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form was introduced by the Indian government in August 2020 as a digital health and travel declaration to curb COVID-19 transmission. Managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), it required passengers to provide health status, travel history (last 14 days), and contact details. According to Wikipedia’s page on the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the form facilitated contact tracing and health monitoring.

Previously, travelers submitted details like:

• Name, age, nationality, passport number, contact information
• Flight number, seat number, date of arrival, entry port, origin port
• Indian address (house number, street/village, tehsil, state, pin code)
• Health status (e.g., COVID-19 symptoms) and vaccination/RT-PCR test results

Is the Air Suvidha Form Still Required?

No, the Air Suvidha form is no longer required for international arrivals to India.

As of November 22, 2022, the Indian government discontinued the Air Suvidha form and pre-arrival RT-PCR testing for all international passengers, regardless of origin, due to declining COVID-19 cases and widespread vaccination. The Delhi Airport guidelines confirm this change, and a MoHFW advisory emphasizes vaccination but does not mandate forms or tests. However, travelers from high-risk countries (e.g., China, Japan) were briefly required to submit the form in early 2023, though this was lifted by February 13, 2023.

Other Forms for India Entry

Customs Declaration Form

A customs declaration form may be required for international passengers bringing dutiable goods (e.g., goods worth over ₹50,000 or restricted items). Per the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), this is typically completed upon arrival at the airport, not online, for passengers exceeding duty-free allowances.

Visa and State-Specific Forms

Travelers need a valid visa or e-Visa, obtainable via the Indian Visa Online portal. Some states, like Kerala, may require additional health or entry forms, such as the Jagratha portal for e-passes, though these are now rare post-COVID.

Tips for Travelers

1. Check Official Sources: Verify requirements on the Delhi Airport Air Suvidha portal or MoHFW website for real-time updates.
2. Contact Airlines: Airlines like Air India or Emirates provide updates on entry protocols.
3. Secure Travel Insurance: Get comprehensive coverage for health and trip disruptions via travel insurance providers.
4. Prepare Documents: Carry digital and physical copies of your passport, visa, and vaccination certificates, even if not mandatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Air Suvidha form mandatory?

No, the Air Suvidha form is not mandatory as of November 22, 2022, for any international arrivals to India, per MoHFW guidelines.

Is a self-declaration form mandatory?

No, self-declaration forms like Air Suvidha are no longer required for international passengers arriving in India.

What forms do I need to fill before entering India?

No health-related forms are currently required. A customs declaration form may be needed for dutiable goods, and a visa or e-Visa is mandatory.

What is the self-declaration form for international arrival passengers?

The Air Suvidha form was a digital health and travel declaration for COVID-19 monitoring, requiring personal, travel, and health details. It’s no longer needed.

Is a customs declaration form required?

Yes, for passengers bringing goods exceeding ₹50,000 or restricted items, a customs declaration form is required upon arrival, per CBIC rules.

How to fill the form of self-declaration?

The Air Suvidha form is no longer required, so no filling is needed. Previously, it was completed online via the Delhi Airport portal with personal and travel details.