Site Map : Indian Government Customs & Baggage Law

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

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 Wii

After 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.

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

A tourist is a passenger....

• 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

Central Board of Excise and Customs website

Central Board of Excise and Customs Official Baggage Rules Director General of Foreign Trade Customs - Chennai Customs - Cochin Customs - Hyderabad Customs - Jawahar Custom House, Mumbai Customs - Mangalore Air Cargo Customs, Mumbai Customs - Mumbai Central Excise - Chandigarh - 1 Central Excise - Delhi - I Customs and Central Excise - Bhubaneswar Customs and Central Excise - Calicut Commissionerates of Chennai - I / Chennai - II / Chennai - III Directorate of Valuation Directory of official websites of Government of India

Commissionerates : Central Excise, Ahmedabad-I Central Excise Bangalore Customs Commissionerate - Ahmedabad Customs -Bangalore Customs and Central Excise Commissionerate - Bhubaneswar Central Excise & Customs - Calicut Commissionerates of Chennai-I / Chennai-II / Chennai-III Customs - Chennai Cochin Central Excise Commissionerate Customs - Cochin Central Excise - Delhi Zone Central Excise - Dibrugarh Customs - Hyderabad Indian Customs at IGI Airport, New Delhi Customs and Central Excise Commissionerate - Jammu & Kashmir Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive) - Jamnagar Commissionerate of Central Excise - Kanpur Customs - Kolkata Air cargo, Sahar, Mumbai Customs - Jawahar Customs House, Mumbai Customs - Mumbai Central Excise - Mysore Central Excise - Nagpur Central Excise Commissionerate - Puducherry Customs - Pune Central Excise Commissionerate - Shillong Central Excise Commissionerate - Surat-I Customs - Tuticorin Central Excise Commissionerate - Vadodara-II Custom House - Visakhapatnam