{
  "iso2": "in",
  "name": "India",
  "region": "Asia",
  "bloc": null,
  "verified": "2026-10-17",
  "authority": {
    "name": "Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs",
    "url": "https://www.cbic.gov.in/"
  },
  "currency": {
    "code": "INR",
    "declare_over": null
  },
  "rules": {
    "alcohol": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "Up to 2 litres duty free",
      "detail": "Alcoholic liquor, wine or beer up to 2 litres is within the duty-free allowance. Excess is dutiable at commercial rates (BCD 150% on spirits and wine, 100% on beer).",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "tobacco": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "100 cigarettes, 25 cigars or 125 g",
      "detail": "Duty-free up to 100 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 125 g of tobacco, with the required pictorial health warnings on packs. Quantities above these are excluded from the free allowance and dutiable.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "cash": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare over USD 5,000 notes / USD 10,000 total",
      "detail": "Foreign exchange can be brought in without limit, but declare notes over USD 5,000 or total foreign exchange over USD 10,000. Importing Indian currency is prohibited, except residents returning with up to Rs 25,000.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "duty_goods": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "Rs 15,000 for tourists; Rs 50,000 residents",
      "detail": "Foreign tourists: articles up to Rs 15,000 duty free. Residents returning: Rs 50,000. Excess is dutiable at an effective 38.5%. LED/LCD TVs get no allowance. Goods must be for personal use.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "weapons": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Firearms prohibited; max 50 cartridges",
      "detail": "Import of firearms is prohibited, as is more than 50 cartridges. Only persons transferring residence after a year abroad may import one firearm, under conditions and with a licence.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "cannabis": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Narcotics and psychotropics prohibited",
      "detail": "Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are listed as prohibited goods; trafficking is punishable with imprisonment. The guide gives no personal-use exemption.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "plants_seeds": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Only listed plants allowed, with phyto certificate",
      "detail": "Only certain plants and plant material in Schedules V, VI and VII of the Plant Quarantine Order 2003 may be imported, with a phytosanitary certificate. Declare seeds, plants, fruits and flowers on the form.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "satphone": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Licence required from DoT",
      "detail": "Satellite phones may not be imported except against a licence from the WPC wing of the Department of Telecommunications. Declare on the customs form.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "drones": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare in Red Channel; DoT licence needed",
      "detail": "Drones are not prohibited as baggage, but you must use the Red Channel, declare the drone, and hold a WPC (Department of Telecommunications) licence naming the model and specifications.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "wildlife": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Wildlife products prohibited",
      "detail": "Wild life products and endangered species of plants and animals, live or dead, are listed among prohibited or restricted goods.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "media": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Pornography and wrongly-mapped India banned",
      "detail": "Pornographic material, counterfeit or pirated goods, and maps or literature showing India's external boundaries incorrectly are prohibited.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    }
  },
  "gov_uk_slug": "india",
  "canada_slug": "india",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Indian Customs: Guide for Travellers / FAQs (Bengaluru Customs)",
      "url": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "CBIC: Baggage Rules (official text)",
      "url": "https://www.cbic.gov.in/resources/htdocs-cbec/baggage-rules.pdf",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    },
    {
      "title": "CBIC: Customs home (passenger information)",
      "url": "https://www.cbic.gov.in/",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    },
    {
      "title": "Archaeological Survey of India (antiquities export permits)",
      "url": "https://asi.nic.in/",
      "kind": "outbound",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    },
    {
      "title": "Plant Quarantine Information System (plants and produce)",
      "url": "http://plantquarantineindia.nic.in/PQISMain/Default.aspx",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    },
    {
      "title": "DoT Wireless Planning and Coordination: satellite phones and drones",
      "url": "https://dot.gov.in/spectrum-management/2457",
      "kind": "inbound",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    }
  ],
  "outbound": {
    "cash": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "Indian rupees: max Rs 25,000 (residents only)",
      "detail": "Export of Indian currency is prohibited; residents may take up to Rs 25,000. Tourists may take out foreign currency up to what they declared on arrival (generally up to USD 5,000 notes / USD 10,000 total).",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "wildlife": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Most wildlife and ivory, furs, skins banned",
      "detail": "Export of most species of wildlife and articles made from wild flora and fauna, such as ivory, musk, reptile skins, furs and shahtoosh, is prohibited.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    },
    "antiquities": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Antiquities listed as prohibited goods",
      "detail": "Customs lists antiquities among prohibited goods, and attempting to export prohibited or restricted goods is a Customs Act offence. Check the Archaeological Survey of India before taking any old object out.",
      "source": "https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GUIDE_FOR_TRAVELLERS_v5.pdf"
    }
  }
}