Government of India

CGST & Customs, Thiruvananthapuram Zone

Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue

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Select your passenger type to get relevant allowance information:

Declaration Requirements

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Mandatory Declaration

Passengers carrying dutiable or prohibited goods, shall voluntarily declare the same to the Customs officer, in the Customs Declaration Form prescribed under the Customs Baggage Declaration Regulations 2013.

ATITHI APP

Passengers can also make use of 'ATITHI APP' of CBIC for making the declaration.

Penal Provisions

Non-Declaration, False Declaration or Improper Declaration can lead to seizure/confiscation of goods, imposition of penalty, arrest, prosecution etc.

Duty Free Allowances

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FOR A RESIDENT OR PASSENGER OF INDIAN ORIGIN

General Free Allowance: Articles up to the value of Rs. 75,000/-, plus travel souvenirs and used personal effects.

Additional Benefit: One new laptop or notepad is allowed free of duty for passengers 18 years and above (other than crew).

Note: Free allowance of one passenger shall not be pooled with any other passenger.

FOR A TOURIST OF FOREIGN ORIGIN

General Free Allowance: Articles up to the value of Rs. 25,000/-, plus travel souvenirs and used personal effects.

Laptop: One new laptop or notepad allowed free for passengers 18 years and above.

FOR INFANT (child not more than 2 years of age)

Allowance: Only used personal effects required for satisfying daily necessities of life.

Note: Infants do not have a monetary free allowance.

Articles Not Allowed Under GFA

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The following articles cannot be cleared under the monetary Free Allowance:

Fire arms
Cartridges of fire arms exceeding 50
Cigarettes exceeding 100 sticks or 25 Cigars or 125g Tobacco
Alcoholic liquor or wines in excess of 2 litres
Gold or silver in any form other than ornaments
Television (LCD/LED/Plasma)

Jewellery Allowance Rules

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STAY ABROAD LESS THAN ONE YEAR

Jewellery/Ornaments are part of your personal effects. It is highly recommended to obtain an Export Certificate before departure from India to avoid duty upon return.

STAY ABROAD MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Female Passenger: Duty-free jewellery up to 40 grams weight.
Other Passenger: Duty-free jewellery up to 20 grams weight.

Note: This weight-based allowance applies to residents or tourists of Indian origin returning after a stay of more than one year.

Import Restrictions

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ALCOHOL

Import of alcoholic beverages is limited to 2 litres for duty-free clearance.

CIGARETTES/TOBACCO

Duty-free limit is 100 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 125g tobacco.

CURRENCY

Regulated by FEMA. Residents can generally bring up to Rs. 25,000. Foreign exchange declaration is mandatory for currency notes > USD 5,000 or total value > USD 10,000.

PETS

Import of pets is regulated by specific Ministry notifications and requires health certification.

Duty Rates & Calculator

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Duty Calculator

Powers of Customs Officers

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Powers Under Customs Act, 1962:

  • Search any person (Section 100)
  • Screen or X-ray for detecting secreted goods (Section 103)
  • Arrest for offences (Section 104)
  • Seize goods liable to confiscation (Section 110)

Export Certificate for Jewellery

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Residents or tourists departing India should obtain an export certificate to allow for duty-free re-import of their personal effects/jewellery.

Requirements:

  • Valuation certificate from a Customs approved Valuer
  • Certified photographs of the items
  • Submission of declaration at time of departure

Contact & Complaints

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Complaints & Suggestions

For assistance, contact the Assistant Commissioner of Customs on duty.

Office

Air Customs, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport