The government has simplified the baggage rules for Indians who want to bring home jewellery from abroad. The Central Government has notified the Baggage Rules, 2026. The new Customs Baggage rules have removed the ‘value’ cap on jewellery, while keeping the maximum quantity unchanged.
Under the Act, Jewellery is defined as articles of adornment ordinarily worn by a person, made of gold, silver, platinum, or such other precious metals, whether studded or not.
New Baggage Rule for Jewellery in India
The government has introduced special allowances for jewellery solely on a weight basis by removing outdated value caps, under which eligible returning residents or tourists of Indian origin, after staying abroad for more than one year, are allowed to duty-free jewellery purely on a weight basis.
Female passengers can bring up to 40 grams, while other than female passengers can bring up to 20 grams of jewellery, the same as earlier limits. Children under the age of 15 years can also bring gold ornaments of a limit of 40 grams without paying any customs duty.
This means, from the earlier limit of Rs 1 lakh, now women can bring in up to Rs 6 lakh worth of gold at today’s rate.
Old Baggage Rule for Jewellery
Earlier, Indian passport holders were allowed to bring up to 20 grams of gold (maximum value up to Rs 50,000) duty-free, while women and children could bring up to 40 grams of gold (maximum value up to Rs 1,00,000) duty-free.
What’s New
While the maximum limit remains the same, 40 grams for women and 20 grams for others, the ‘value‘ cap has been removed.
24 carat gold price today in India is nearly Rs 1,50,000 for 10 grams. But as per the earlier rules, the maximum duty-free jewellery for men allowed was Rs 50,000. It means you can bring around 3 grams of gold abroad at current prices to bring to India.
But now, the ‘value’ cap has been removed. A resident or tourist of Indian origin residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, will now be allowed duty-free clearance of jewellery up to a weight of forty grams, if brought by a female passenger or twenty grams if brought by a passenger other than a female passenger in bona fide baggage.
At the current price, one can bring Rs 6 lakh worth of gold into India under the Baggage Rules, 2026.
One can bring a higher quantity of gold or silver, but has to pay import duty on that. While bringing gold into India, the import duty is 6%, but the total customs duty is around 9% after adding cess and GST. Be ready to show purchase invoices with the price and purity.
The Central Government has notified the Baggage Rules, 2026. New Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026, and a Master Circular have also been issued.
FAQs: New Baggage Rules for Jewellery in India (2026)
1. What are the new Baggage Rules, 2026?
The Baggage Rules, 2026 are updated customs regulations notified by the Central Government for items brought into India by passengers, including jewellery.
2. What is the biggest change in jewellery baggage rules?
The biggest change is the removal of the value cap on duty-free jewellery while keeping the weight limit unchanged.
3. Has the weight limit for jewellery changed?
No, the weight limits remain the same as earlier.
4. How much jewellery can a female passenger bring duty-free?
A female passenger can bring up to 40 grams of jewellery duty-free.
5. How much jewellery can a male passenger bring duty-free?
A male or non-female passenger can bring up to 20 grams of jewellery duty-free.
6. Can children bring jewellery under the new rules?
Yes, children under 15 years can bring up to 40 grams of gold jewellery duty-free.
7. Is there any value limit on jewellery now?
No, the value limit has been completely removed under the new rules.
8. What was the earlier value limit for women?
Earlier, women could bring jewellery worth up to ₹1 lakh duty-free.
9. What was the earlier value limit for men?
Earlier, men could bring jewellery worth up to ₹50,000 duty-free.
10. Why was the value cap removed?
The value cap was removed to account for rising gold prices and to simplify baggage rules.
11. Who is eligible for duty-free jewellery?
Returning residents or tourists of Indian origin who stayed abroad for more than one year are eligible.
12. Does the rule apply to short-term foreign trips?
No, the special allowance applies only to those who stayed abroad for over one year.
13. What types of jewellery are allowed?
Jewellery made of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals, studded or not, is allowed.
14. How is jewellery defined under the Act?
Jewellery is defined as articles of adornment ordinarily worn by a person.
15. Can I bring diamond-studded jewellery?
Yes, diamond-studded jewellery is allowed within the weight limits.
16. Does purity (22K or 24K) matter?
Purity does not affect eligibility, but invoices showing purity may be required.
17. How much gold value can women bring now?
At current prices, women can bring jewellery worth up to ₹6 lakh duty-free.
18. How much gold value can men bring now?
Men can bring jewellery worth around ₹3 lakh, depending on gold prices.
19. Is silver jewellery included?
Yes, silver jewellery is included under the jewellery category.
20. Is platinum jewellery allowed?
Yes, platinum jewellery is covered under the new rules.
21. What if I bring more than the allowed weight?
Any jewellery exceeding the limit will attract customs duty.
22. What is the import duty on excess gold?
The basic import duty on gold is 6%.
23. What is the total customs duty payable?
The total customs duty is around 9%, including cess and GST.
24. Do I need to declare jewellery at customs?
Yes, jewellery should be declared if it exceeds duty-free limits.
25. Is a purchase invoice mandatory?
Invoices are not mandatory but strongly recommended for valuation and purity proof.
26. What happens if I don’t declare excess jewellery?
Non-declaration may lead to penalties, seizure, or fines.
27. Are tourists of Indian origin covered?
Yes, tourists of Indian origin staying abroad for more than one year are covered.
28. Are NRIs covered under the new rules?
Yes, NRIs returning to India after more than one year abroad are eligible.
29. Can I bring gold coins under jewellery rules?
Gold coins are not considered jewellery and have separate rules.
30. Can I bring gold bars duty-free?
No, gold bars are not allowed duty-free under baggage rules.
31. Does the rule apply to hand baggage?
Yes, jewellery carried in bona fide baggage, including hand baggage, is covered.
32. What is bona fide baggage?
Bona fide baggage refers to personal belongings meant for personal use.
33. Are inherited ornaments allowed?
Yes, inherited ornaments are allowed within weight limits.
34. Can I bring wedding jewellery?
Yes, wedding jewellery is allowed as personal jewellery.
35. Does the rule differ for airports and seaports?
No, the rules apply uniformly across all entry points.
36. Is GST charged separately?
GST is included in the overall customs duty on excess jewellery.
37. Can customs officers assess market value?
Yes, customs can assess value if invoices are missing.
38. Is declaration compulsory even within limits?
Declaration is usually not required within duty-free limits, but rules may vary.
39. What documents should I carry?
Carry passport, boarding pass, invoices, and any proof of stay abroad.
40. Do these rules apply from 2026 onwards?
Yes, these rules apply after the notification of Baggage Rules, 2026.
41. Has any master circular been issued?
Yes, a Master Circular has been issued along with the new rules.
42. Are Customs Baggage Regulations also updated?
Yes, Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026 have been notified.
43. Can I bring jewellery for gifting?
Yes, but it must fall within the permitted weight limits.
44. Is there a separate limit for silver?
No separate limit; it is included under jewellery weight.
45. Are artificial ornaments included?
No, artificial jewellery does not fall under precious metal rules.
46. Can customs seize jewellery?
Yes, if rules are violated or items are undeclared.
47. Do these rules benefit frequent travellers?
Yes, they simplify compliance and reduce valuation disputes.
48. Are the rules applicable to foreign nationals?
Only tourists of Indian origin are eligible for the special allowance.
49. Will gold prices affect eligibility?
No, eligibility depends on weight, not price.
50. Where can I check official notifications?
Official notifications are available on the CBIC and Customs Department websites.
