- A viral video shows aggressive sales tactics in the Delhi Airport duty-free area after immigration
- Industrialist Harsh Goenka called for a dignified, hassle-free entry experience for travelers
- Some X users defended the practice as common in international airports worldwide
A video going viral on X captures the duty-free area of Delhi Airport, a section all international flyers pass through after completing immigration. The duty-free area is where items such as spirits, cosmetics, luxury fragrances, chocolates, and snacks from international brands are sold without local import duties, sales taxes, or value-added tax (VAT). However, a recent flyer was unhappy that this shopping area is the first thing travellers pass through upon arriving in India, and the video caught the attention of industrialist Harsh Goenka.
Sharing the video on his X handle, Goenka said, "At most of our airports, as you clear immigration and walk through the duty-free area, salespeople swarm around passengers, aggressively pushing products. Surely we can do better. Let's give passengers a dignified, hassle-free entry into our country @RamMNK."
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The traveller who recorded the video wrote, "WELCOME TO INDIA? This is how one enters India in Delhi. The welcome to all visitors......Immigration...then...'BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!'. Not even 5 feet from immigration. This is a real video of immigration in Delhi."
At most of our airports, as you clear immigration and walk through the duty-free area, salespeople swarm around passengers, aggressively pushing products. Surely we can do better. Let's give passengers a dignified, hassle-free entry into our country @RamMNK https://t.co/tzJkTqNgxs
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) August 23, 2026
The video criticising salespeople at the airport for approaching passengers and aggressively promoting products drew mixed reactions from X users.
Commenting on Goenka's post, one user wrote, "Mr Goenka, I agree to disagree with you. I have never faced any issues with the salespeople. They have never been an issue for us or for others. Disclaimer: I am an NRI and a frequent flyer."
Several X users also commented on the original video.
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One argued, "This is how you land in literally every country. Practically every Australian international airport is designed like this. Immigration (difficult for non-citizens) -> Duty Free -> Baggage."
Another defended the practice, saying, "They don't force you, buddy; just a polite decline or a nod of the head, and they will not even bother to come to you. Why try to gaslight? You come to India, be a good guest and stop complaining about things that cause no harm or inconvenience. If you do not know how to say no or ignore, then that is something you need to learn, not complain about."
However, many people also agreed with the issue highlighted in the video.
One wrote, "Delhi airport was so bad! Never feel like returning to Delhi."
Another commented, "This is really annoying. Been to many places; only in India does this over-selling happen."
A third chimed in, "It's pure harassment; I personally experienced this."
