All That Is New In Baggage Rules 2026, From Higher Duty-Free Limit To Laptop Exemption

From February 2, 2026, travellers arriving in India will be governed by a new customs framework under the Baggage Rules, 2026, notified by the Government of India along with the Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026 and a consolidated Master Circular. Together, these replace older rules, notifications and circulars that had accumulated over the years. The updated regime focuses on clarity, uniform implementation and ease of compliance, particularly as international travel volumes rise and shopping patterns evolve. It revises duty-free limits, simplifies jewellery allowances, introduces digital declarations, and clearly defines traveller categories. The new rules thus aim to reduce disputes at customs counters and make arrival procedures smoother for passengers.

Higher Duty-Free Allowances For Most Travellers

Under the new Baggage Rules, 2026, the general duty-free allowance (the total value of goods a passenger can bring into India without paying customs duty) has been increased for most categories of travellers arriving by air or sea.

The revised duty-free limits are:

• Indian residents: up to Rs 75,000
• Tourists of Indian origin: up to Rs 75,000
• Foreign nationals holding valid non-tourist visas: up to Rs 75,000
• Tourists of foreign origin: up to Rs 25,000
• Airline crew members: up to Rs 2,500

These allowances apply only to goods carried on the passenger's person or in bona fide baggage. Importantly, the rules make it explicit that no general duty-free allowance is available for passengers entering India through land borders, regardless of nationality.

What Counts As Duty-Free Goods

Used personal effects (clothes, travel souvenirs, etc.) required for everyday use are fully duty-free. New goods (e.g., gifts, purchases abroad) qualify up to the applicable value cap. Goods above the duty-free limit may be dutiable under normal customs provisions unless specifically exempted by law.

Important: Certain items are generally not part of duty-free allowances and have separate conditions or limits, such as:

• Alcohol and spirits beyond specified volumes,
• Tobacco products beyond allowance thresholds,
• Firearms and ammunition exceeding prescribed counts,
• Gold or silver in forms other than jewellery,
• Large electronic goods like televisions.

Jewellery Allowances

In a long-awaited change, the Baggage Rules, 2026, simplify jewellery concessions by removing outdated value caps and switching entirely to weight-based allowances for eligible returning travellers. Under the new framework, female passengers are allowed to carry up to 40 grams of duty-free jewellery, while other passengers are allowed up to 20 grams. This applies to Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin who have lived abroad for more than a year.

Transfer of Residence (TR) Benefits

Travellers who are permanently moving their residence to India can avail of enhanced duty-free entitlements under a simplified Transfer of Residence regime. The longer the stay abroad, the higher the benefit cap:

1. Stayed abroad up to 12 months: Rs 1,50,000 cap
2. Stayed 1-2 years: Rs 3,00,000 cap
3. Stayed more than 2 years: Rs 7,50,000 cap

These benefits are streamlined with a single rationalised list of duty-free articles and a corresponding overall value cap to make calculations simpler for returning residents.

Temporary Import And Re-Import Made Easier

The new rules introduce provisions for temporary import certificates and re-import certificates. These help travellers who are carrying goods temporarily (such as professional equipment or exhibition materials) by offering a formal mechanism that avoids unnecessary detention or disputes at the customs entry point.

One Laptop And Pets Included

Noteworthy additions in the essentials category include:

• One laptop is duty-free for each passenger aged 18 years or above.
• Pets, when brought along, are also explicitly included as duty-free under consolidated concessional provisions, subject to applicable animal import rules.

Declaration And Processing Reforms

Alongside the baggage rules themselves, the Government has also deployed the Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026, aiming to:

1. Enable electronic declarations for both accompanied and unaccompanied baggage via ICEGATE or designated apps,
2. Standardise Green and Red Channel processing,
3. Replace about 35 earlier circulars with a consolidated, clearer operational regime.

These modernised procedures should reduce confusion and waiting time at customs.

Practical Takeaways For Travellers

For Indian residents returning from abroad:

• You can bring up to Rs 75,000 worth of goods duty-free on arrival by air or sea.
• Jewellery allowance up to 40 g (women) or 20 g (others) if eligible.
• Laptop and used personal effects are separately exempt.

For foreign tourists:

Duty-free allowance of Rs 25,000 for goods carried in personal baggage. Items beyond this should be declared, and duty may apply.

For crew and professionals:

Crew members have a modest Rs 2,500 duty-free cap. Foreign professionals with valid visas have allowances similar to residents (Rs 75,000) under general rules.

The Baggage Rules, 2026 mark one of the most significant overhauls of India's customs baggage regime in nearly a decade. The changes are designed to reduce friction at airports and ports while aligning customs practice with actual travel behaviour and expectations.